Dementia - Money and Legal Matters: A Guide (January 2006)

Index page

1. Introduction
2. About dementia
3. How people with dementia can plan for the future
4. Simple ways to help with financial matters
5. Simple ways to help with welfare matters
6. What to do if you need more powers
7. Welfare benefits
8. Community care
9. Long term care
10. Further help
11. Further reading

This guide is for people with early stage dementia and for people helping or caring for someone with dementia at any stage of the illness. It will help you sort out day-to-day money matters and it suggests arrangements for the future. The guide covers the provisions of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and how it affects people with dementia and their carers. It will help with many questions:

• How can a financial or welfare power of attorney help?
• How can I access money in my relative’s account to pay their bills?
• What benefits can we apply for?
• What will happen to my house if I go into a care home?
• What help is there to pay for care home fees?
• Does my relative need a guardian?

This publication was produced with the support of Dunfermline Building Society

This publication is free to read on-line, using the links above to move between chapters. Single copies are free to carers and people with dementia in Scotland - phone the 24 hour Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000.

Purchase online (£5.00 including post and packing)

To the best of our knowledge and belief, the information in this booklet is correct. However, it is not a definitive statement of the law. If you are in doubt, check with a solicitor.

Alzheimer Scotland and its employees or agents accept no liability whatsoever, whether in contract, delict or otherwise as a result of any use, reliance or otherwise by any person or organisation on the information contained in this booklet or electronic versions of it.

Acknowledgements

Grateful thanks to Jan Killeen, AWI National Practice Co-ordinator, Justice Department, Scottish Executive; Jim Pearson and Malcolm Laughton of Alzheimer Scotland’s Welfare Rights Service; David E McClements, Russel & Aitken, Solicitors; and Hilary Patrick for their help in compiling and checking this information.