Planning for the future means preparing for the unexpected. One of the most important legal tools for safeguarding a loved one’s wishes and wellbeing is the Power of Attorney (PoA). At Gifted Hands Home Care, we often support families navigating care decisions, and understanding PoA can provide much-needed clarity and peace of mind.

🔍 What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone else—the attorney—the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. It ensures that your affairs can still be managed with your best interests in mind.

🧾 Types of Power of Attorney in the UK

In England and Wales, there are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA):

1. Health and Welfare LPA

This allows the attorney to make decisions about:

• Medical treatment
• Care needs
• Daily routines (e.g. meals, hygiene)
• Life-sustaining treatment
  Only comes into effect if the person loses mental capacity.

2. Property and Financial Affairs LPA

This allows the attorney to manage:

• Bank accounts and bills
• Pensions and benefits
• Buying or selling property
  Can be used with permission while the person still has mental capacity or automatically if they lose it.

🤝 Why It Matters for Home Care

Having a Power of Attorney is especially important for those receiving home care, as it allows families to:

• Make timely care and medical decisions
• Manage finances and ensure care services are paid for
• Avoid delays in emergencies when quick decisions are needed
• Respect the wishes of their loved one, even if they can no longer communicate them

🧠 When Should You Set Up a PoA?

The best time to set up a Power of Attorney is while the person still has full mental capacity. Waiting until someone is confused or unwell can make the process much more complicated and may require a court-appointed deputy.

📄 How to Set One Up

1. Choose a trusted person (or multiple people) to act as your attorney.
2. Complete the official forms from the UK Government website.
3. Register the LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
4. Pay the registration fee (currently £82 per LPA, though discounts may apply).

Tip: You may wish to seek help from a solicitor or advisor if the situation is complex.

💬 Need Help or Guidance?

While Gifted Hands Home Care cannot create legal documents, we are happy to:

• Help you understand how a PoA relates to your care
• Work closely with appointed attorneys to ensure care decisions are honoured
• Provide documentation and care reports as needed during the process

📞 Talk to Us

If you have questions about how Power of Attorney affects your care, or need help getting started with home care planning, we’re here for you.

📧 info@giftedhandshomecare.co.uk
📞 01403 458894

Empowering your family to make the right decisions—today and in the future.