Helping an elderly relative remain independent at home

Perfectly naturally, people want to live independently in their own home for as long as they can manage. In our experience, being willing to think through some of the practical questions and do some pre-planning can really help.

An important point to make is that any discussions and decisions must be guided by your relative’s wishes and views. It is their life and their situation. Solicitors have a duty to ensure that ‘undue influence’ is not exerted on people to make decisions that might not be in their best interest. Solicitors are also very experienced in helping families discuss often very personal issues in a way that is constructive and practical.

A specialist solicitor can obviously advise on issues such as the suitability and scope of Lasting Powers of Attorney, which allow one or more people to be appointed to look after financial and care needs if someone is no longer able to do so themselves. Increasingly financial institutions and health providers expect to see these in place before they will talk to relatives about personal matters.

Solicitors often directly oversee the affairs of specific individuals and, as such, can be a useful practical source of knowledge about how best you can support a relative – for example, arranging for the home delivery of medication or, looking further ahead, researching what formal care is available in your local area for those willing and able to continue living in their own home.

As always, it is best to plan ahead if you can, talk through issues with close family and seek advice from a specialist, properly regulated adviser.