There may come a time when you can’t make decisions for yourself. You can plan ahead by making Powers of Attorney, Advance Decisions and Advance Statements. At Clarke Mairs we take time to understand your wishes, put in place Advance Decisions and Advance Statements that express your views clearly, and provide advice about who you should notify and when your documents should be reviewed.
DID YOU KNOW
- An Advance Decision (“Living Will”) allows you to write down any treatments that you do not want in the future in case you later become unable to make or communicate decisions for yourself. If properly made, this is legally binding and must be followed by healthcare professionals.
- An Advance Statement sets out your preferences. Although this is not legally binding, those looking after you should, if you lose capacity, take into account your preferences when making decisions in your best interest.
- If you want your Advance Decision to cover life-sustaining treatment, it must meet certain criteria to be valid.
- Advance Decisions can take the burden away from your family, who otherwise may be asked to make decisions for you.
- Advance Decisions can give you peace of mind that you will not be given treatment that you do not want.
- Advance Decisions and Advance Statements can help prompt useful discussions with your family, doctor and nurses.
‘A dementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported and confident they can contribute to community life.’