Clare Adamson MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw is encouraging constituents to ensure their Power of Attorney arrangements are in order.
A Power of Attorney is a written, legal document giving someone else authority to take actions or make decisions on behalf of you. A Power of Attorney is intended to ensure that your financial affairs and personal welfare can still be dealt with and protected in the event of you being unable to act on your own behalf.
Health and Social Care Scotland is running a national POA campaign, “Your Choice, Your Voice”.
Every year thousands of people across Scotland lose capacity – it could be an accident, a head injury, a stroke or an ongoing progressive illness. Getting your Power of Attorney arrangements in order allows you to plan for the future.
Power of attorney is for when you are still here. If you are in hospital for example, on a ventilator, or a care environment or even your own home, no one can act for you. Even simple things like paying bills or managing utilities can be difficult. Your next of kin does not have power to act or even manage your welfare decisions unless you have made your plan.
You should also consider speaking to a health or social care professional about setting up an Anticipatory Care Plan (ACP).
Ms Adamson said:
“Power of Attorney is for everyone. It is about planning for your future care. Anyone over the age of 16 can grant Power of Attorney – reflecting that accidents or illness can happen at any age.
“People assume that their family can make decisions on their behalf if they lose capacity but there is no automatic right to do this.
“Your Power of Attorney can be anyone – family, friends, solicitors, or professional advisers. It just has to be someone you trust to look after your interests should you lose capacity.
“You can appoint more than one person to look after different issues. It’s a simple proactive step we can take to plan for our future care.
“By ensuring Power of Attorney arrangements are in place, you can safeguard your financial and health wishes.”
Visit mypowerofattorney.org.uk and mygov.scot/power-of-attorney to find out more.
The Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) gives general advice and guidance. Phone 01324 678 300 – Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Scottish Government
The Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) gives general advice and guidance. Phone 01324 678 300 – Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Call the Age Scotland Helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for advice on power of attorney.
Read Citizens Advice Scotland's advice and guidance on managing affairs for someone else.
Read the Mental Welfare Commission's Money Matters guide.
Read a short guide on the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.
What is Power of Attorney?
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