While you have mental capacity, you can set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to give someone the authority to make decisions on your behalf. This person is known as an attorney, while the person who makes the LPA is called the donor.

There are two types of LPA.

• A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers decisions about the donor’s property and money.
• A Personal Welfare LPA covers decisions about the donor’s healthcare and personal welfare.

You could also set up an Ordinary Power of Attorney, which gives someone else the power to handle your financial affairs for you.

It's only valid while you have mental capacity to make decisions about your finances, so you can keep an eye on what the attorney is doing.

The role of attorney involves a great deal of power and responsibility, so make sure you think carefully about who you choose. You must be able to trust them to make decisions in your best interests.

If you set up a Personal Welfare Power of Attorney, it's important that you inform us, and anyone else who deals with your healthcare (for instance hospitals or the Social Services, if you are currently known to them), so that we are aware of and can take this into account in current and future discussions about your healthcare.