Raising awareness during Alzheimer’s Month – September 2019

September is Alzheimer’s month and provides an opportunity for organisations and individuals to raise awareness of the disease and to do all that we can to support those living with it.

Here at Franklins Solicitors LLP, 71 members of staff have become Dementia Friends by completing some voluntary training to understand how to recognise that a client may be struggling and how to assist those individuals to come to a solution.

Dementia refers to a variety of illnesses and conditions which result in an impairment of brain function and a decline in intellectual functioning. In light of the below statistics published by the Alzheimer’s Society, we constantly advise clients who attend our offices to ensure that their affairs are in order well in advance to assist them, and their loved ones.

Statistics:

• 850,000 people are estimated to be currently living with dementia in the UK;
• Globally, 50 million people are estimated to be living with dementia which is estimated to increase by 204% by 2050;
• 1 in 14 people over the age of 64 are at risk of developing dementia; and
• 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 are at risk of developing dementia.

Advice:

Although we advise clients to prepare for the future, should you be diagnosed with dementia, this does not automatically mean that you are unable to take any further action. Provided that you still have the necessary capacity to make a Will or Lasting Powers of Attorney, a diagnosis does not prevent you planning for your future, it may just slightly complicate matters and this is where specialist advice is important.

Here at Franklins Solicitors LLP we are dedicated to assist where we can. If you would like to obtain advice or guidance regarding the preparation of a Will, Lasting Powers of Attorney or would like assistance with a Deputyship Application, please contact our Private Client team on privateclient@franklins-sols.co.uk or call our Northampton office on 01604 828282 / Milton Keynes: 01908 660966.