“There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK, but more than a third of people with the condition do not have a diagnosis. The number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040”. (Alzheimer’s Society, 2024)
So, what is dementia?
‘Dementia’ describes a range of symptoms including memory loss, confusion and needing help with daily tasks (such as personal care, paying bills, cooking, and shopping), changes in behaviour, and problems with language and communication (NHS and Alzheimer’s Society). These symptoms get worse over time and are caused when nerve cells in the brain become damaged as a result of disease. The Alzheimer’s Society states that there are many different diseases that can cause dementia, but the four main types are:
- Alzheimer’s disease – the first signs of Alzheimer’s are problems with memory, thinking, language or perception.
- Vascular dementia – early signs include problems with planning or organising, making decisions, or solving problems.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) – symptoms include difficulty staying focused, delusions and problems with sleep and movement.
- Frontotemporal dementia – changes to personality and behaviour and/or difficulties with language.
Getting a diagnosis
91% of people affected by dementia say there are benefits to getting a diagnosis but 1 in 3 people in the UK living with dementia do not have a diagnosis (Alzheimer’s Society).
Getting an early diagnosis is important to access relevant treatment. If you are experiencing regular symptoms, as outlined above, or are worried about dementia then you should contact your GP for an assessment. If it is a loved one you are concerned about, you should encourage them to make an appointment and attend with them to offer support. Attending an assessment with a GP or other health professional will allow you to get an explanation, advice, and support for your symptoms.
How solicitors can help
Planning for the future is key. We can help you to put a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, which enables you to appoint someone to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf if you lack the capacity or ability to do this yourself, e.g., as result of dementia.
There are two types of LPA. One relates to decisions surrounding health and welfare and the other is for finances and property:
- An LPA for Financial Decisions allows you to appoint somebody you trust to make decisions on your behalf about your property and financial affairs.
- An LPA for Health and Care Decisions allows you to appoint somebody you trust to make decisions on your behalf in relation to personal healthcare and welfare.
Whoever you appoint is known as your ‘attorney’ and you can have more than one attorney. They need to be over the age of 18 and could be a relative, friend, family member or professional. Having more than one attorney means you need to think about whether you want them to make decisions together or separately, which our Team can advise you on so that you understand the implications of your decision.
The legal fees for preparing an LPA range from £425 to £1,200 plus VAT depending on your requirements. For example, if you are an individual taking out both types of LPA and have no more than two Attorneys, the cost would be £650 plus VAT of £130.
In addition to having an LPA, it is important to make a Will and ensure this remains up to date throughout your lifetime. This ensures that your wishes are recorded, including what happens to your assets (money, property, vehicles, pension funds, investments, and life insurance policies as well as personal items such as furniture and jewellery). Furthermore, when making a Will, we can advise you on care home fees and what your options are.
Not everyone who takes out an LPA will need to use it, but by having it in place, you can have extra peace of mind for the future knowing that you have people you trust to make any decisions for you. We understand that it can be a very challenging and emotional experience when considering an LPA or Will, but our Team are here with their expertise to discuss your options with you and guide you through the process.
Further reading
We encourage anyone worried about dementia to access information from the Alzheimer’s Society and the NHS.
You can also contact the dementia support line on 0333 150 3456 (Alzheimer’s Society).
Contacting us
Contact a member of our Lifetime Planning Team to discuss your affairs and plan for the future:
- Jennifer Monaghan(Aintree and Kirkby)
- Ciara Furey(Formby)
- Kirsty Cartwright(Huyton and Woolton)
- Chris Fazakerley(Maghull)
- Hannah Alexander(Maghull)
- Andrea Ashton(Wirral)
- Candice Jones(Wirral)
