DementiaRoadmap

Living well with dementia across West Dunbartonshire
End of Life → Financial and legal planning

Financial and legal planning

If a person has dementia, it is important that they organise their financial and legal affairs while they are still able to do so. This ensures that in the future, their affairs will be set up in a way that they have chosen. Things to think about include: details of your bank accounts, tax, benefits and pension, as well as mortgage or rent documents, insurance policies and your will.

In Scotland, we have Power of Attorney. This is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the mental capacity to do so, or to help you right now.

There are 2 main types:

  • Continuing Power of Attorney – covers money, property and financial affairs

  • Welfare Power of Attorney – covers personal and medical care decisions. This can only be used after you have lost the capacity to make these decisions for yourself.

To arrange a Power of Attorney, you must have your document signed by a doctor or solicitor. For information from Age Scotland, click here: Power of Attorney

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  • Financial and Legal PlanningFinancial and Legal Planning - If a person has dementia, it is important that they organise their financial and legal affairs while they are still able to do so.
  • Power of Attorney and WillsIf a person has dementia, it is important that they organise their financial and legal affairs while they are still able to do so. This ensures that in the future, their affairs will be set up in a way that they have chosen.
  • Making decisions: who decides when you can’t?This guidance published by the Office of the Public Guardian explains how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 affects anyone who is unable to make some or all decisions for themselves. It provides advice to help people to plan ahead in case they are unable to make and understand decisions in the future.
  • Making decisions: a guide for people who work in health and social careThis guidance published by the Office of the Public Guardian explains to health and social care workers how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 affects anyone who is unable to make some or all decisions for themselves.

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