Guests enjoyed wine and canapés on a summer evening at Wentworth Court Nursing Home before hearing us talk about legal issues affecting those living with dementia.
We were joined by Neil Gayler & Co and spoke about legal protection in older age and care funding options at the event hosted by Cheltenham’s first dementia-only nursing home on Village Road, Cheltenham.
Manager of Wentworth Court, Carol Ball said: “With the Alzheimer’s Society estimating that one million people will be affected by dementia by 2025, it is relevant for any of us to think ahead about managing our legal affairs should our capacity diminish over time as well as make plans to finance any future care needs.
“We were delighted to welcome local people to our home, and benefit from the expertise of the speakers who provided professional insights and helped with demystifying the implications of the 2014 Care Act.”
Lawyers Nick Southwell, Simon Cook and Rachel Taylor addressed the pitfalls of not having your personal affairs in order, powers of attorney and how to understand deputyships and Court of Protection applications. Simon and Rachel are both members of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), experts who are, by definition, the most experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates. They have over 25 years’ combined experience in looking after elderly and vulnerable people including those with dementia.
Neil Gayler, an accredited with the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA), discussed what the 2014 Care Act really means for individuals and provided an insight into the different options available for funding care home fees. Neil is Cheltenham’s only SOLLA-accredited Later Life Specialist Adviser and one of only three such accredited Independent Financial Advisers in Gloucestershire.
Head of our wills, probate & trusts department, partner Simon Cook, said: “We are often approached by families to put something in place once a diagnosis has been made but unfortunately a lot of the time we are past the point when something can happen other than dealing with the Court of Protection. This can be a long-winded and expensive route. Tonight’s event was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance for getting personal affairs in place to safeguard for the future.”
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