Third of Brits are leaving future care plans to chance

Around one third of people in the UK have made no provision for old age, whether through a pension, writing a will, saving for retirement, making funeral plans or creating a lasting power of attorney, according to new research.

By 2025, more than 13 million people who are at risk of mental incapacity will be unprepared, with no legal or medical plans in place for their future care.

A coalition of organisations, led by Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), are joining forces to encourage people to 'tackle the taboos' around end-of-life planning.

Lakshmi Turner, chief executive of SFE, said: “Most of us do not like thinking about, let alone talking about death, disability or disease, despite the fact that it touches all our lives – but it is essential that we do so.

“Whilst it’s great that more and more of us are putting wills in place and establishing plans for finances and assets, far too few of us are planning ahead for our health and care needs and wishes, leaving this to chance.

“It’s time to set the record straight. Planning ahead by talking to family or friends shouldn’t be seen as doom and gloom, it’s about having a positive conversation about welfare, empowering your loved ones and making the decision-making process easier for everyone.”

Planning ahead

Dementia is the biggest single cause of death in England and Wales and the number given a diagnosis of the condition has risen by 54 per cent in ten years. While three quarters of the population fear dementia or the loss of capacity to make decisions, 97 per cent have not made relevant legal provision.

According to the report, planning ahead is surrounded by worrying misconceptions. Some 65 per cent of people incorrectly believe they can leave decisions to their next of kin, without taking legal steps to ensure that happens.

There are currently 928,000 health and welfare lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) across England and Wales, compared to the 12 million people over the age of 65 who run the risk of developing dementia – a difference of nearly 93 per cent.

The report shows the disparity will continue, ‘leaving millions in limbo’. By 2025, it’s estimated that more than 15 million people will be at risk of mental incapacity and an estimated two million health and welfare LPAs will be in place.

Only three per cent of people surveyed by SFE currently have a health and welfare LPA in place.

'Delays and distress can be avoided'

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, a professor of palliative medicine, said: “When a person loses capacity to take decisions, it is sad to see families and professionals struggling to try to determine what a person would have wanted. Delays and distress can be avoided by appointing someone to speak for you when you can no longer speak up for yourself.

“Discussing medical and care wishes ahead of time ensures that care can respect an individual’s wishes, with the respect they deserve – even when it comes to fulfilling wishes after death, such as organ donation.

“It’s important to have an open discussion about future illnesses and possible incapacity. I urge the millions of people who haven’t given loved ones the opportunity to listen, to act now.”

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, added: “Lasting powers of attorney for health and welfare too often get overlooked. People with dementia have the right to make choices about their care, just like anyone else. Making someone they trust their attorney for health and welfare is one of the ways people can do this.

“A health and welfare LPA provides reassurance to them and the act of creating one can start useful conversations about the future with family and friends.”

For more information on the report go to: https://sfe.legal/