We recently had this question pop up on our agecare101 online forum – and it’s one that we get a lot.
You can find plenty of information about Enduring Power of Attorney (EPoA) on our website here, but essentially it is a formal document that appoints a trusted person such as a family member or friend to make financial, legal and property decisions on your behalf in the event that you lose the mental capacity to do so yourself.
If a sudden illness or accident robs you or your family member of their decision-making capacity, it can make it very hard to make important choices – such as applying to aged care facilities on your or their behalf.
Having the conversation and getting these documents together is the best way to ensure your wishes are met.
Our first piece of advice to those with a loved one who is getting older is to talk to your family member about establishing an EPoA as soon as possible.
The best way to set one up is to speak to a solicitor, preferably one who is well-versed in estate planning. Locating your will and ensuring it is up to date and reflects your wishes is also key and will save considerable inconvenience and expense in the future.
If you have more questions about Enduring Power of Attorney – or any other aged care topics – get in touch with us here.
