DEMENTIA MORTALITY RATES CONTINUE TO RISE
Recent statistics released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that around one in eight people dying in England and Wales last year had some form of dementia: more than ever before.
Dementia, which affects around 850,000 adults in the UK, and Alzheimer's disease – the most common form of dementia – remained one of the leading causes of death in 2018, and the most prevalent cause of death for women, of whom 16.7% of all deaths were related to the condition. Indeed, women are almost twice as likely to die from dementia as men: with 45,726 women dying with dementia and 23,732 men dying with dementia last year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the figures continue to rise, with the total number of individuals dying with dementia up 2.7% on 2017 – 12.6% higher than in 2015.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
These figures are a sobering reminder of the importance of creating valid wills and lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) long before the question of capacity arises. Many people living with dementia will come to a point where they are unable to make decisions about their finances or wellbeing on their own behalf. In these circumstances, LPAs (of both types) will be vital. Sadly, people often assume – wrongly – that their “next of kin” will be able to step in on their behalf at this point, but, this is not the case. Where no LPA exists, the only option for the family is a long and costly deputyship application.
For any question in relation to Lasting Power of Attorney feel free to contact me if you live in Bexhill, Hastings, Rye, Battle or anywhere in East Sussex.
This message was added on Wednesday 21st August 2019
