Many of us will need health and social care in our lives. Making plans now can save money, ensure you get the care you want and make it easier for your family.
Making plans now can also improve and maintain your wellbeing: your physical, mental and emotional health. In turn, this can prevent, reduce or delay your need for care and support in the future.
If you have savings and investments, occupational pensions, or you own your home, you may benefit from independent financial advice.
Pensionwise is a free and impartial government service about your defined contribution pension options. Book a free appointment if:
Wigan and Leigh CAB provide the Pensionwise service for Salford. They can arrange a telephone appointment or visit you to look at your options.
If you have property, shares and savings or substantial income, you should get professional financial advice about making the most of these assets.
It's important to arrange as much as possible for a time in the future when you may not have the ability to make choices or let other people know your choices. See the citizens advice website for help making a will.
This is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions on another person’s behalf. The person who is allowing someone else to make decisions is called the donor. The person making the decision is called the attorney
There are different types of power of attorney but they all outline the terms and conditions between the donor and the attorney. The power of attorney also acts as evidence if the attorney needs to prove their authority.
A power of attorney is also known as:
There are two types of lasting power of attorney:
Once you have written your lasting power of attorney you must register it with the Office of Public Guardian for it to be activated.
You can use the government’s make a lasting power of attorney service, which will guide you through the process and help you register it.
Health and social care professionals can check with the Office of Public Guardian if you have a registered attorney.
Property and finance lasting power of attorney– the donor can still have mental capacity when they ask the attorney to act on their behalf to manage their financial affairs
Health and welfare lasting power of attorney – the donor must lack capacity (the ability to make and communicate decisions) before the attorney can make decisions on their behalf. The attorney will ensure the donor’s wishes and preferences regarding any care and treatment decisions, are made alongside the health professionals.
Anyone can lose their capacity. If you haven’t got a registered lasting power of attorney, the court / legal authorities can choose a deputy to make decisions on your behalf. This might not be your next of kin – although family members can apply to be your deputy, it’s up to the court to decide.
If you don’t have a registered lasting power of attorney, your next of kin may have trouble accessing financial accounts, medical information, and more. So, while health and social care organisations ask you to name your next of kin, that person does not have any legal decision-making powers. They may only have the right to information about your current situation.
The best way to guarantee someone has the legal authority to represent you is to create a lasting power of attorney. In fact, authorities will often follow the directions of your attorney—even if your family objects. It is essential you choose someone who is trustworthy and capable to manage your financial and health and welfare affairs.
We know it is difficult but talking about and planning your own end of life care will help you and your family. Below are some useful links:
Salford has created its own advance care plan which you can download from this page.
Adult social care is now provided by Northern Care Alliance
If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.
This page was last updated on 4 March 2024