September is World Alzheimer’s Month: Why you need to make an LPA now
Every September, we mark World Alzheimer’s Month, a global campaign led by Alzheimer’s Disease International and the Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and encourage support for people affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
With over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia, this campaign is more important than ever. In the UK alone, there are around 900,000 people living with dementia, and that number is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. The truth is that Alzheimer’s can affect anyone, and it doesn’t just impact memory; it touches every part of a person’s life, including their ability to make decisions.
That’s why this September is the perfect time to talk about a subject many of us put off: making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
What is Alzheimer’s and why does it matter?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, language, and eventually the ability to carry out simple tasks. While there’s no cure yet, early diagnosis and planning can make a significant difference in quality of life, for both the person with dementia and their loved ones.
As the disease progresses, individuals often lose the capacity to make financial, medical, or personal welfare decisions for themselves. And when that happens, families can be left in a painful and complicated legal limbo, unless preparations have been made in advance.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people (called attorneys) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the capacity to do so yourself.
In the UK, there are two types of LPA:
Health and Welfare LPA – Covers decisions about:
- Medical Treatment
- Where you live
- Your daily routine (e.g. meals, hygiene)
- Life-sustaining treatment
Property and Financial Affairs LPA – Covers decisions about:
- Managing your bank accounts
- Paying bills
- Collecting pensions or benefits
- Selling your home
Importantly, an LPA must be set up whilst you still have mental capacity, you cannot create one after a dementia diagnosis has significantly progressed.
Why is an LPA so important?
- Protects Your Wishes
With an LPA, you retain control over your future by choosing who you trust to make decisions for you, and what kind of decisions they can make. This ensures that your values and preferences are respected, even if you can’t express them later.
- Prevents Legal Complications
Without an LPA, loved ones may need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as a “deputy” to manage your affairs. This can be a time consuming, costly and emotionally difficult process.
- Reduces Family Conflict
Clear, legal documentation helps avoid disputes among family members, especially during emotionally stressful times. Everyone knows who is in charge and what the person’s wishes were.
- Supports Your Care Planning
Early preparation allows you and your family to work together to plan for future care needs, including care home decisions, medical treatment preferences, and financial arrangements.
How World Alzheimer’s Month Can Inspire Action
This year’s World Alzheimer’s Month theme is “Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s” a reminder to be proactive in learning about the disease and preparing for the future.
By taking the time to understand the importance of an LPA, you’re not protecting yourself, you’re also relieving your loved ones of uncertainty and stress.
Setting up an LPA is more straightforward than many people think:
- Register with the OPG – There is a fee per LPA (currently £82), but fee reductions or exemptions are available.
- Choose your attorney(s) – These should be people you trust implicitly, such as close family members or friends.
- Decide on the type(s) of LPA – You can make one or both types, depending on your needs.
- Fill out the LPA forms – Available from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)
- Sign and witness the forms – Including a certificate provider who confirms you understand what you’re doing.
How we can help
None of us likes to think about losing the ability to make our own decisions, but planning ahead is a gift to ourselves and our loved ones.
This World Alzheimer’s Month, let’s break the silence around dementia. Let’s talk about brain health, early diagnosis and legal planning. Let’s encourage more people to put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, before it’s too late.
