Lasting Power of Attorney – Why they matter

When you can’t speak for yourself, who will?

Why LPAs matter more than we think

At Visiting Angels, we believe the best care doesn’t start with a checklist. It starts with a conversation.

A quiet cuppa in the kitchen. A favourite chair by the window. Knowing someone’s morning routine by heart, even when they can’t quite remember it themselves.

But what happens when a person loses the ability to make decisions about their care?
Who speaks for them? Who helps make sure their care still feels like them?

That’s where something called a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can make all the difference.

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“It’s about being heard… even when you can’t say it.”

We recently sat down with Cliona Fletcher, a solicitor by background who now helps families plan for the future with compassion and clarity. She knows better than most how powerful an LPA can be — and how it can protect the small things that make a person feel like themselves.

“So many people think an LPA is just legal paperwork,” Cliona says. “But it’s really about making sure your voice carries—even when you can’t speak. It gives your family and carers the ability to say, ‘This is what they would have wanted.’”

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Making everyday care feel like home

We recently supported Mary, an 82-year-old artist living with early-stage Alzheimer’s. Her son held an LPA for Health and Welfare, and with his guidance, we kept her world as familiar as possible — her sketchbook laid out at breakfast, her watercolours by the window, her mornings soundtracked by soft jazz on the radio. Even on her foggier days, care still felt like hers.

Then there’s George, a retired gardener with a love of birds and a tendency to lose track of bills. His niece held financial LPA, which meant his care continued smoothly even when payments needed updating. No stress. No service interruption. Just peace of mind and his morning birdwatching, uninterrupted.

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What is an LPA, and why does it matter?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets someone appoint a trusted person (an ‘attorney’) to make decisions on their behalf, if they lose mental capacity. There are two types:

• Health and Welfare LPA – for decisions about care, daily routines, and medical treatment.

• Property and Financial Affairs LPA – for managing money, bills, and property.

In home care, both are vital. They let us act with the person — not just for them — even when they can’t guide us directly.

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“It lets us keep doing what’s right, without second-guessing.”

Without an LPA in place, even well-meaning families can find themselves stuck.

“You’re trying to do what’s best,” Cliona explains, “but you don’t have the legal authority. That means delays, stress, and sometimes even decisions being taken out of the family’s hands.”

But with an LPA:

• We know who to talk to

• There’s clarity around consent and preferences

• Care stays personal — right down to how someone takes their tea

• Financial support runs smoothly, avoiding last-minute disruptions

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“We’ll just cross that bridge when we come to it…”

That’s what many people think. But here’s the hard truth:
By the time you need an LPA, it’s usually too late to make one.

That’s why families who get it sorted early often say the same thing:

“We’re so glad we did.”

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LPAs are like an insurance policy

Think of an LPA like home insurance.
You don’t wait until something goes wrong to take it out — you do it just in case.

It’s the same here. You create an LPA while you have capacity, hoping you’ll never need it — but knowing that if something changes, your loved ones can step in with confidence.

With the rise in neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, having a kind of “legal insurance” means someone you trust can manage your affairs with clarity, respect and care.

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Letting care stay rooted in the person

At Visiting Angels, we’re not here to impose routines. We’re here to protect them. To help people stay in control of their life, even as they need more support.

An LPA helps us do that. It gives us the green light to keep going in the direction the client would’ve chosen — with compassion, with dignity, and with trust.

“Having an LPA isn’t just about paperwork,” Cliona reminds us. “It’s about confidence. For families. For care teams. And most importantly, for the person receiving care.”

Ready to talk?

💙 Enquire about home care

If you’re looking for support at home — whether for yourself or someone you love — our team at Visiting Angels is here to help. Just contact us, and someone will reach out to discuss any needs for care. We offer a free, no obligation consultation to answer any questions and prepare the quality care we are known for.

🖋️ Want to explore LPAs?