More than a million over 50s don't have a Power of Attorney

Age Scotland and Lindsays join forces to champion Powers of Attorney

• Importance of legal documents highlighted as new partnership is announced
• Lawyers will make donations to charity to support its work with older people

A new partnership has been forged to encourage more people in Scotland to put a Power of Attorney in place.

Age Scotland has joined forces with independent legal firm Lindsays to help people appoint someone they trust to manage their finances and make welfare decisions on their behalf, should they need extra help.  

The move comes as new research by the charity reveals that more than one million over-50s in Scotland do not have a Power of Attorney - with its staff fielding high numbers of queries from older people and their families around the legal process.

They are now making referrals to Lindsays, which has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Perth and Crieff, who will help clients draw up Powers of Attorney.

Lindsays is making a donation from every referral to the charity, which supports people across the country to grow old securely, with a good quality of life.

A Power of Attorney is a document that an individual creates to set out who they would like to take decisions for them around critical issues such as money and care if they become incapacitated. They are relevant whatever someone’s age or personal circumstances.

Katherine Crawford, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said:

“One of the most common requests for support older people and their families make to our helpline and information service is for advice about Power of Attorney.

“Our research shows more than one million over-50s in Scotland do not have a Power of Attorney. If life takes an unexpected turn, it is important to know that the support you need will be available, but barely one in five people in their fifties have this important tool set up.

“Having a Power of Attorney in place can give you peace of mind, as you know you will have the support of someone you trust if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. It is an essential part of planning for the future and retaining control of how you wish to live your life.”

She added: “Our new partnership with Lindsays deepens the level of professional advice and legal support we are able to signpost people to, at the same time as helping to raise vital funds for the services we offer older people and their families. We’re grateful for their support and look forward to working closely with them on this important issue.”

Lindsays has been raising awareness about the importance of Powers of Attorney for a number of years.

Grant Johnson, a Partner and Head of Private Client Services at Lindsays, said:

“Too few people have Powers of Attorney in place.

“Having one gives clarity, reduces uncertainty, and helps avoid difficult decisions and potentially additional delays and costs later on. It gives people and their loved ones peace of mind at what are challenging and stressful times.

“Age is not a factor. Any one of us can become unexpectedly incapacitated at any time, whether temporarily or permanently. 

“For small business owners, having a Power of Attorney in place can ensure your company can continue should something unforeseen happen to impair your ability to work, or even if you are simply unavailable to manage things for an extended period of time.” 

He added: “We are delighted to be working with Age Scotland not only to increase awareness in its network about the importance of having a Power of Attorney, but to also be able to directly support the charity’s critical work.”

Powers of Attorney are lodged with The Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland). 

Age Scotland’s latest Big Survey questioned 4,400 over-50s across Scotland.

Less than half of respondents (49%) said they had yet to put a Power of Attorney in place. If translated to Scotland’s entire over-50s population, that would equate to more than one million people - a number the charity says needs to dramatically reduce.

Only 21% of those aged 59 and younger said they had a Power of Attorney.