power of attorney for alzheimers sufferer

[pafty]

My Dad is deep into alzheimers now and really is no longer competent to manage his own affairs. I have been told that we (his family) should have power of attorney so that we can make decisions for him etc. How does that work when the person is no longer competent to appoint power of attorney themselves. Has anyone had any experience of this? Thanks

[Postdog]

Dunno how it works, but a solicitor will be needed. I was facing a situation where I may have ended up incompetent (risky operation) and considered this, and the cost was about £300 -£450. I didn't in the end, but I was told by my bank that without power of attorney, their hands would be tied when it came to someone else accessing my account/

[dzug2]

If he is no longer able to appoint someone as his attorney then it's too late.

You have to go through a rather more expensive and long winded process of being appointed Deputy for him. You have to apply to the Court of Protection with full details of his assets

Start off with a simple description here:

http://www.direct.gov...someoneelse/DG_195265

[DTCwordfan]

It is not an easy process and, unfortunately, one that hits Alzheimer families/carers too late.

It involves a long procedure through the High Court, Family division and is alot more expensive than just a solicitor as it can sometimes involved barrister representation. We had the learning lesson on my grandmother and that cost over £2k several years ago, - we now have PoA on my mother through my sister, having put this in place when she and we were suspicious that she was losing her memory.

Sorry to hear about your Dad and remember there are a lot of us here going through the same experience, so do not hesitate to ask for advice or vent off.

My number one piece of advice is you are caring for him is to make sure you have your own time, even if it just an hour out with friends or a quick visit to the pub/wine bar/wherever.

I am keeping a diary of events etc as to a potential book on some opf the pragamatics and the necessary humour that you need to retain through the sorry process.

[maggiebee]

Not sure about England, but here in Scotland my son-in-law is in the same position. He will have to go to court to get "guardianship" for his aunt's affairs. Before I went to work abroad I arranged for my solicitor to have financial power of attorney and my daughter to have welfare power of attorney should anything happen to me. Not sure if this is of any help.

[DTCwordfan]

maggiebee - if you haven't done it, let your daughter have some financial poa, say in the form of a budget per month to cover day to day support, food, medication etc etc....otherwise you will end up spending a fortune on solicitor fees, unless they are family....

[pafty]

Thanks to all. Very helpful.