Living with dementia and dementia-related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s places a huge level of stress on the sufferer and their family. A wide variety of factors can cause dementia, and the illness can bring with it a range of specific legal considerations which require specialist knowledge to handle.
Our COPE team specialises in helping dementia sufferers and their families navigate the minefield of legal considerations following a dementia diagnosis, including:
- Long-term care planning
- Power of attorney
- Living wills
- Court of protection/deputyship
Specialist dementia solicitors can work with dementia sufferers and their families to ensure these important decisions are sensitively dealt with and are legally binding. Helping you to focus on making the most of your time with your loved ones.
The COPE Team
Our COPE team is a team of solicitors who are specially trained to work with vulnerable adults, including sufferers of dementia and dementia-related illnesses. This training ensures that you can be confident of receiving high-quality legal advice which is practical, empathetic and specific to your unique situation.
Working with dementia sufferers and other vulnerable adults on a regular basis gives us a unique insight into the challenges you face dealing with these illnesses. It allows our specialist dementia solicitors to look at your situation and provide you with the clear, workable advice you need to move forwards.
The COPE team are here to work with you and make your life easier, always making themselves available to answer your questions and provide advice. You can speak to a member of our COPE team about your situation on: 0161 665 3502 or email [email protected] for further information on how we could help you.
Clinical Negligence – Care Home Claims
We all plan carefully and save for old age, aiming to spend our twilight years living independently and comfortably. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control such as a dementia diagnosis mean this is not always possible and moving into a specialist care home is the best option.
Most care homes work hard to provide a caring, safe environment for vulnerable adults, providing much-needed support during difficult times.
Occasionally, however, this is not the case and the care given to the people living in the homes is unacceptably poor, sometimes causing injury and illness. Understandably, this is an extremely difficult time for both the resident and their family, this difficulty is enhanced when the person involved suffers from dementia and may be easily confused or have problems remembering the mistreatment they receive.
Our specialist dementia solicitors have specially trained to work on clinical negligence cases involving vulnerable adults who suffer from illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. We have vast experience in helping dementia sufferers receive compensation for care home negligence claims, working patiently and thoroughly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
We operate most our care home negligence claims on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis and offer a free initial consultation to discuss your potential claim. We also work with relatives who wish to make a claim on behalf of a mistreated loved one.
To speak to one of our team you can call us today on: 0161 665 3502 or fill out our online enquiry form
Court of Protection/ Deputyship
The Court of Protection exists to help people who are no longer mentally capable of making their own legal decisions. The court either makes decisions on behalf of the individual or gives powers to close friends and family members (this is known as deputyship) to make decisions about finances, property, healthcare and other vital decisions.
Going through the Court of Protection process can be extremely complex, requiring a large number of forms to be filled in precisely and certificates from your doctor required. Ensuring that this process is completed quickly and efficiently is of vital importance to sufferers of dementia and Alzheimer’s, who need to ensure their legal affairs on in order as quickly as possible before they start to deteriorate.
Our team’s expertise ensures you can get through the Court of Protection process as quickly and hassle-free as possible. We can work with you to complete all the required forms and provide you with clear, simple advice as we move the process forwards. We can also guide you through urgent applications to the Court of Protection and act as a deputy should complicated decisions need to be made.
If you would like to speak to one of our team regarding a Court of Protection or Deputyship application, you can call us on: 0161 665 3502. You can also contact us online.
Powers of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows a trusted party to make key decisions such as who will provide your health care and what will happen to your finances if you develop and illness which leaves you mentally incapable of making such decisions.
If you are suffering from dementia or a dementia-related illness it is vital that you choose a trusted person to have a Lasting Power of Attorney. Without this your family will need to apply to the Court of Protection to allow them to carry out even the most basic of tasks, including withdrawing funds to pay for your care.
At Garratts, we specialise in working with sufferers of dementia and dementia-related illnesses and can help you draw up a document detailing who will receive the Lasting Powers of Attorney. Giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your affairs will be dealt with by a person you have chosen and trust.
To speak to our specialist dementia solicitors regarding writing your Lasting Power of Attorney document you can call us on: 0161 665 3502 or contact us online.
Long Term Care Planning
Although it’s not pleasant to think about, people suffering from dementia and dementia-related illnesses will need to consider planning financially for staying in a care home for a long period.
Illnesses such as dementia require specialised care which can usually only be provided by a specialist care home. Unfortunately, these care homes tend to be expensive, and even those with significant savings may struggle to plan for this future effectively.
At Garratts, our solicitors specialise in working with sufferers of dementia to plan for their future. We will take the time to understand your unique circumstances before sitting down with you and your family to guide you through the rules of paying for care and the legal issues surrounding people in your position.
Once you have a full understanding of the process we will be able to undertake a full review of your estate and work closely with you to ensure you and your family are fully prepared for the future.
If you would like to discuss your options for long-term care planning, you can get in touch with us by either calling our team on: 0161 665 3502 or filling in our online contact form.
Advance Decision/ Living Wills
An Advance Decision, also known as a ‘Living Will’, is an official document to be placed on your medical records, detailing your specific instructions regarding your choice of treatment should you be unable to communicate your wishes at the time the medical care is required.
Although this is an extremely difficult thing to discuss, the creation of a Living Will is something which could potentially save your family and friends a lot of heartache in the future, as they know they can refer to it and follow your precise wishes should the worst occur.
For dementia sufferers, where the risk of sudden deterioration is increased, the drawing up of a Living Will is an important part of ensuring every eventuality is covered, giving your loved the ones the peace of mind to know they are making the right choice whatever the scenario.
An Advance Decision is an extremely complex document, and it is vital that it is drawn up with no ambiguity and with future medical developments considered. Our lawyers have worked for many years with sufferers of dementia, providing compassionate guidance through an incredibly difficult time in their life.
To discuss this with our specialist team you can call us on 0161 665 3502 or use the contact form on our website.
Mental Health Department
Garratts Solicitors has a team of solicitors who specialise in helping people who suffer from mental health issues such as dementia and have a wealth of experience and knowledge in this area of law. Our mental health solicitors are based throughout Greater Manchester, with offices in Oldham, Ashton, Radcliffe, Worsley, Staylbridge and Newton Heath and have travelled extensively throughout Greater Manchester to assist clients.
Being detained in hospital under a section of the Mental Health Act or placed under a Community treatment order is an extremely stressful time for anyone. Unfortunately, for dementia sufferers, this can be a common occurrence as their condition worsens and their confusion heightens.
Our Mental Health solicitors specialise in working with people in vulnerable situations and can provide both practical legal advice and emotional support during a very difficult time.
To speak to one of our mental health solicitors you can contact us by calling us on 0161 665 3502 or by filling in our online contact form.
Personal Injury – Slips and Trips
A slip or trip in a public place will most commonly lead to a bruise and a bit of embarrassment. Unfortunately, they can often lead to worse injuries such as broken bones, serious cuts or wounds, torn ligaments or whiplash. This is especially prevalent in sufferers of dementia, who are more prone to trips and slips and are slightly frailer than they used to be.
This can be extremely stressful for dementia sufferers, who already have health issues to deal with. Our specialist team have vast experience in working with sufferers of dementia and dementia-related illnesses with personal injury claims. We work closely with you to ensure you understand all the legal issues and receive the compensation due to you because of your injuries.
We have helped hundreds of people to claim the compensation they deserve following an accident which was not their fault, and the initial consultation with us is free, so you don’t have to worry about paying only to discover there is no case to be made.
If you would like to get in touch with one of our specialist team to discuss your accident or the accident of a loved one with dementia you can call us on: 0161 665 3502 or contact us online.
Supporting those with dementia in the local community.
We work closely with several dementia-related organisations and are proud to support charities such as Supporting Dementia Friends and Supporting Dementia Action Alliance.
We have also arranged a number of events to raise funds and awareness for charities committed to helping people suffering from dementia, including:
We are proud of the work we have done to increase awareness of and raise money for dementia and are proud to continue our work to help sufferers and their families.
