Does anyone know how to go about setting up a Power of Attorney for health? My mum signed an Enduring Power of Attorney form many years ago when it only covered financial issues, and I have now had that registered and have begun to sort things out for her.
However she lives 250+ miles away from me! One of my sisters lives with her and has been to all her medical appointments, and the local GP, hospital people, etc know her and are willing to discuss things with her. But I am a bit concerned that if something happened where decisions have to be made there is nothing formal in place. There is also another sister who lives locally and who often has mum to stay, so it would make sense for both of them to be named.
Mum was diagnosed with dementia about a year ago and can't remember stuff from the immediate past, but does seem to be able to understand what she is doing a lot of the time. (For example she has just telephoned me - which has got me thinking about all this - to ask me to arrange for an 18th birthday present to be paid to one of her grandchildren as she had remembered about that and has already sent a card!) So does anyone know if she might still be able to set up a Power of Attorney for health and welfare if we go to the local solicitor (who does know her)?
I'm going to see her in about a month's time, so thought it might be good to try and sort out what needs to be done before then so we can perhaps make some decisions.
However she lives 250+ miles away from me! One of my sisters lives with her and has been to all her medical appointments, and the local GP, hospital people, etc know her and are willing to discuss things with her. But I am a bit concerned that if something happened where decisions have to be made there is nothing formal in place. There is also another sister who lives locally and who often has mum to stay, so it would make sense for both of them to be named.
Mum was diagnosed with dementia about a year ago and can't remember stuff from the immediate past, but does seem to be able to understand what she is doing a lot of the time. (For example she has just telephoned me - which has got me thinking about all this - to ask me to arrange for an 18th birthday present to be paid to one of her grandchildren as she had remembered about that and has already sent a card!) So does anyone know if she might still be able to set up a Power of Attorney for health and welfare if we go to the local solicitor (who does know her)?
I'm going to see her in about a month's time, so thought it might be good to try and sort out what needs to be done before then so we can perhaps make some decisions.