Lasting Power of Attorney

As a carer, you’re often the person helping someone else make sense of important decisions. Thinking about a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can feel like a big step, but it can be one of the most helpful things the person you care for can put in place.

An LPA helps ensure their wishes are respected and makes things clearer and less stressful for both of you if decisions ever need to be made on their behalf.

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows a person/the donor to choose who they trust to make decisions for them in the future, if they are no longer able to do so themselves. This could be you as their carer, or someone else they feel comfortable with, such as a family member or close friend. 

There are two types of LPA: 

• Health and Welfare, which covers decisions about care, medical treatment and daily routines 

• Property and Financial Affairs, which covers managing money, paying bills and dealing with property 

An LPA must be set up while the person still has mental capacity, which is why many carers choose to explore this early, even if it isn’t needed right now. 

Many carers assume they will automatically be able to make decisions for the person they care for, but this isn’t always the case. Without an LPA, you may not be able to speak on their behalf or manage practical matters, even if you’re closely involved in their care. 

Supporting the person you care for to set up an LPA can: 

• Give them reassurance that their wishes will be followed 

• Make it clearer who can make decisions if their situation changes 

• Reduce stress and uncertainty for you as their carer 

• Help avoid delays or complications at difficult times 

• Ensure their decisions and preferences are honoured in the future 

For many carers, having an LPA in place brings peace of mind and helps conversations feel more open and planned rather than rushed. 

If you’re helping the person you care for to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney, the first step is getting the forms from the Office of the Public Guardian. 

You can download the forms or complete them online at www.gov.uk/lasting-power-of-attorney, or you can ask for paper copies to be posted to you by calling 0300 456 0300. 

If the person you care for (donor) agrees, you can fill in the forms yourself alongside the donor. Many carers choose this option, but it’s important to take your time, as mistakes can mean the application is rejected and you may need to pay a fee to apply again. 

The Office of the Public Guardian provides a step-by-step guide on their website to help you complete the forms, and you can also call them on the number above if you need assistance. Some carers also find it helpful to ask the donor if a trusted family member or friend could support the process. 

If at any point it starts to feel overwhelming, you don’t have to manage it alone. We can talk things through with you as a carer, and Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland’s LPA Writer Service is also available if you’d prefer their support. The LPA service will need to meet the donor on their own and works directly with them when completing the details on the form/s. 

While you do not need to use a professional to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney, some carers find that getting help can prevent problems later on, especially if the process feels unclear or you need help with specific questions. Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland offers a Lasting Power of Attorney Writer Service, which many carers find reassuring and supportive. 

This service comes with a cost, but it can offer peace of mind that everything has been completed correctly and that the wishes of the person you care for are clearly recorded. An LPA writer can guide the donor through each step, explain things in plain language and help reduce stress at what can be an emotional time. 

If you’d like to find out more about the LPA Writer Service, you can contact lpa@ageukleics.org.uk or call 07715 961435. We’re also happy to give you information about LPAs and to talk things through with you as a carer alongside the person you care for.