Dementia Awareness Week

In Dementia awareness week the facts about the rise in dementia in the Uk have been widely discussed.

Research shows there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia. 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK. The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer but not always in good health. 

The lifespan after a dementia diagnosis varies considerably depending on the type of dementia, individual health factors, and age at diagnosis. Generally, the average lifespan after diagnosis is around 4-8 years, but can range from 3 to 10 years. Women tend to live longer after a dementia diagnosis than men, and the lifespan generally decreases with increasing age at diagnosis. 

A diagnosis is often devesting for the family who can witness the ‘loss’ of someone they love whilst they are still living. How the right care is provided can be a big issue especially if the sufferer has not completed a lasting power of attorney to appoint someone to manage their affairs. It is vitally important that this is done before a person losing capacity and that they person they appoint understands the need to act in the interests of the donor. 

If no lasting power of attorney is in place, then money and asset can only be accessed by obtaining a deputyship order from the Court of Protection,  although DWP benefits can be controlled through an appointeeship.

Accessing the correct care, and that means a care facility or agency that understands the needs of a dementia patient is vital as not all care homes or home care agencies are trained in dementia care. 

If you are struggling with any of these issues for a member of your family contact me at Biscoes-law.co.uk