Fact-Find
Talking about the future is not always easy for everyone. You will know your parent best and it is always important to keep them at the heart of anything you do.
A good starting point is just to ask if they’ve heard about what a Power of Attorney is?
Reassure
A Power of Attorney is a positive thing- it is about good planning and keeping control. Talk about something unique to your parent and relate it to their own journey.
Perhaps talk about how much they love the garden or the way they like their tea. A Power of Attorney is not just for the big things. But it is important that they start their journey and start thinking about the process.
Inform
Be aware that for many parents this can be a sensitive subject so take your time to talk about it compassionately.
You can download the leaflet from our website if you’d like to leave something with your Mum or Dad or show them that Power of Attorney is something that both the NHS and the Health and Social Care Partnerships recommend (actually for everyone over 16!). Or, you can help them to think about who they would want as their Attorney.
This is actually the most important first step. And remember, it might not be you…but don’t worry about that! The important thing is they know who that person is. Very often, if both of your parents are healthy, they can have each other registered but it is also important that they consider adding a second person, just in case.
Encourage
Talk to them about speaking to the person they’d like to have as their Attorney and for them to find out a little more themselves.
And say that you’ll be asking how they’ve got on the next time you see them.
Enable
Offer some assistance to connect them to further help.
Many people in Scotland will qualify for a free Power of Attorney and there’s lots of assistance out there.
