Read more articles in: Blog, Firm News, Private Client, Rachel Blackburn

This World Alzheimer’s Month, don’t shy away from the difficult conversations

In a timely statement, Mander Hadley has urged those living with Alzheimer’s, as well as their friends and loved ones, to rise to the challenge and face the difficult conversations this World Alzheimer’s Month.

982,000 people are currently living with some form of dementia in the UK, predicted by the Alzheimer’s Society to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.

World Health Organisation (WHO) data suggests that Alzheimer’s causes up to 70 per cent of dementia – indicating that Alzheimer’s rates are increasing and more people may be unexpectedly diagnosed in the coming decades.

Rachel Blackburn, Head of Wills, Probate and Older Client Services at Mander Hadley, recognised the incredible difficulty of being diagnosed and living with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly with regards to writing a Will and estate planning – as well as the issue of capacity.

Rachel said: “We work with a growing number of people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones to try and make the most difficult aspects of a diagnosis easier.

“One of the most significant issues our clients face is the loss of capacity, which can happen as Alzheimer’s progresses and individuals become less able to make financial or wellbeing decisions.

“This can subject Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) to disputes if the individual may have lacked capacity when putting these things in place – which makes an already vulnerable and stressful period more difficult and risks the person’s wishes not being carried out.”

Mander Hadley reminded those living with Alzheimer’s of the importance of putting the right measures in place before their condition progresses to the point where capacity is lost.

This includes thorough estate planning to ensure loved ones are looked after and assets are distributed after death according to the individual’s wishes.

However, in Rachel’s experience, an LPA is the most critical piece of later life planning that a person with Alzheimer’s can put in place – ensuring they’re cared for in line with their wishes, values and beliefs.

“There are two types of LPAs which must be registered separately,” said Rachel.

“A health and welfare LPA gives a named, trusted person or people the ability to make care decisions for you, such as your daily routine and medical care, if you’re not able to.

“The other type of LPA is one for property and financial affairs. This gives someone you trust the legal right to make decisions about your money, investments, property, bills and pensions if you lose capacity.

“You can put either one or both in place. LPAs are exceptionally important for those with Alzheimer’s, as it can be dynamic to a degree, so capacity can fluctuate – but we know that it will eventually be lost.

“Our team understand how tough an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be, so we’re always here to help put the right protections in place for those with the condition and their loved ones. A Will and an LPA can be the difference between a difficult situation and an impossible one.”

Rachel Blackburn

Head of Wills, Probate and Older Client Services

I joined Mander Hadley’s Wills, Probate and Older Client Services Team in 2018.I specialise in the preparation of Wills, Probate and estate administration, trusts and trust administration and Lasting Powers of Attorney. I also have experience of care fee planning and appeals of Continuing Health Care decisions.

Latest posts by Rachel Blackburn (see all)