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Conversations about Lasting Power of Attorney can sometimes feel daunting, especially soon after a dementia diagnosis.
At The Care Lens, we can help you understand your options, explain the process in plain language and help you feel confident about planning ahead.
While we don't provide legal advice, we can help you ask the right questions and signpost you to trusted professionals where appropriate.
One of the saddest conversations we have with families is when they tell us:
"We meant to do it."
By then, the opportunity may have passed.
Making an LPA isn't about expecting the worst.
It's about making sure the right people can help if they're ever needed.
Don't Leave It Too late
Many families believe:
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"My husband can automatically deal with everything."
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"My children will be allowed to make decisions."
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"We'll sort it out later."
Unfortunately, that's often not how the law works.
Having close family does not automatically give someone the legal authority to make financial or health decisions on another adult's behalf.
Planning ahead helps avoid unnecessary stress at what may already be a very difficult time.
Common Misunderstandings
Lasting Power of Attorney Checklist
☐ Talk openly as a family.
☐ Decide who you trust.
☐ Consider appointing replacement attorneys.
☐ Decide whether to make one LPA or both.
☐ Complete the paperwork carefully.
☐ Register the LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian.
☐ Tell your attorneys where the documents are kept.
Dementia affects everyone differently.
Some people remain able to make their own decisions for many years.
Others lose the ability more quickly.
The important point is that an LPA must normally be made while the person still has the mental capacity to understand what they're signing. Once capacity has been lost, it's generally too late to create a new LPA.
Without one, family members do not automatically gain legal authority to manage finances or make important decisions.
Instead, they may have to apply to the Court of Protection to become a deputy, a process that is often longer, more costly and subject to ongoing supervision.
Why Is It So Important?
Choosing an attorney is a very personal decision.
Think about someone who:
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Knows you well.
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Understands your wishes.
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Is honest and dependable.
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Can make difficult decisions calmly.
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Is organised and responsible.
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Will always act in your best interests.
You can appoint more than one attorney if you wish, and you can decide whether they must make decisions together or whether they can act independently in certain situations.
Choosing The Right Attorney
Completing the forms is only part of the process.
An LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before it can be used. Registration takes time, which is why many families choose to register it as soon as it has been completed, rather than waiting until it's urgently needed.
Registering Your LPA
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more trusted people (known as attorneys) to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make those decisions yourself.
In England and Wales there are two separate types of LPA:
Property and Financial Affairs
This allows someone you trust to help manage things such as:
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Bank accounts
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Paying bills
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Pensions
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Benefits
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Property
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Investments
Health and Welfare-
This covers decisions about:
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Medical treatment
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Care arrangements
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Where you live
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Daily care
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Life-sustaining treatment (if you choose to give this authority)
Many people choose to make both types so that the people they trust can support them across all areas of life if needed.
What Is A Lasting Power of Attorney?
Welcome
Thinking about the future isn't always easy.
When someone has recently been diagnosed with dementia, conversations about legal documents can feel uncomfortable or even unnecessary. Many families understandably want to focus on today rather than what might happen in the months or years ahead.
However, one of the kindest things a person can do for themselves and the people they love is to make plans while they are still able to make their own decisions.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) isn't about giving up control.
It's about deciding who you trust to help if the day ever comes when you need them.
This guide explains what an LPA is, why it matters and how taking action early can make life much easier in the future.
The Care Lens Tip:
Creating an LPA doesn't mean you're handing over control today.
It simply means you've decided who you would want to speak for you if you couldn't speak for yourself in the future.
The Care Lens Tip:
Choose someone because you trust their judgement—not simply because they're the oldest child or the closest relative.
Planning Ahead While You Still Have a Choice
Reading time: Approximately 10 minutes
Lasting Power of Attorney
Frequently Asked Questions
This guide has been written by The Care Lens using practical experience alongside established guidance from organisations such as the NHS, Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK and NICE. Every family is different, so this guide is intended to support—not replace—professional medical or legal advice where appropriate.
Remember
A Lasting Power of Attorney is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your future self and your family.
It provides clarity during uncertain times, reduces unnecessary stress and helps ensure that decisions are made by the people you know and trust.
Planning ahead isn't pessimistic.
It's an act of care.
The Care Lens Tip
The best time to arrange a Lasting Power of Attorney is when you hope you'll never need it.
Do we need a solicitor?
Not necessarily. Many people complete the forms themselves using the official guidance or the online service. However, because an LPA is an important legal document, some families choose to use a solicitor for reassurance, particularly if the circumstances are more complex.
Can someone with dementia still make an LPA?
Yes, provided they have the mental capacity to understand what the LPA is, what powers it gives and the effect of creating it. A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean someone lacks capacity. Capacity is decision-specific and can vary over time.
What happens if we don't have one?
If an LPA hasn't been made before capacity is lost, family members may need to apply to the Court of Protection to become a deputy before they can make certain decisions or manage finances.
Can I choose more than one attorney?
Yes. Many people appoint two or more attorneys and can decide whether they act together on every decision or jointly and independently, depending on what works best for their circumstances.
A Conversation Worth Having
"Many families tell us they found this conversation difficult to start. In reality, most people are relieved once it's been had. Rather than asking, 'Who should take control?', try asking, 'If there ever came a day when you needed help, who would you want beside you making those decisions?' That simple change in wording often makes the conversation feel less about paperwork and more about trust."