As it was Dementia Action Week last week, it seems an appropriate time to remember that Government figures indicate that more than 800,000 people in the UK have dementia, and that the Alzheimer’s Society predicts this will rise to more than one million by 2025.

Our Liz Waterhouse has qualified under the Alzheimer’s Society initiative as a Dementia Champion, meaning that she is able to train others to become Dementia Friends and the rest of our Private Client team have trained and qualified as Dementia Friends. We therefore offer an approach that is both sensitive and informed.

There are many ways in which someone with dementia can receive help and one of these is to ensure that their financial affairs are dealt with in an efficient and competent manner.

When advising our clients, therefore, we recommend that they put in place a Lasting Power of Attorney. This appoints someone they trust to act for them if they should ever come to lack mental capacity.

For those with a relative or close friend who has been diagnosed with dementia but has not appointed an attorney, we can assist in making an application to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order.