The Daily Telegraph reported on the 10 November that “the number of elderly people with dementia will increase by 70% to more than 1 million in the next 20 years”. The statistic is quoted from the National End of Life Care Intelligence Network, which is an NHS programme. The number of those people who suffer dementia and are unable to look after their own affairs due to mental incapacity is not included. Add to that number those who lose capacity through illness or accident and the figure becomes ever greater.
If anything were to prompt individuals into making provision for the loss of mental capacity through accident or the onset of age, statistics such as these surely must. By putting in place a lasting power of attorney, you are able to appoint someone to look after your affairs should you not be able to do so. You can appoint an attorney to look after your financial affairs and also to assist with decisions relating to your personal welfare.
Everyone should considering making provision for mental incapacity and it is never too early to do so.
We all hope that we do not lose mental capacity but if we do, having made provision is an absolute relief for those who have to pick up the pieces.
Find out more about mental incapacity
Read more about the author of this article: Shaun Parry-Jones
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