If you or a loved one is living with dementia, and will be attending a meeting with a professional advisor – whether to write a will, set up a trust or lasting power of attorney, to get advice on your finances, or for any other reason – there are a number of steps you can take to make sure the meeting works for you.

Below are six top tips to consider:

• Does the advisor have relevant qualifications – are they members of STEP and/or Solicitors for the Elderly, and are they a Dementia Friend? Make sure they are legitimate, and appropriately-qualified, before you meet.
• Be open about your/your loved one’s dementia and its effects. Let the advisor know about any side-effects from medication, or if visual aids or similar might be helpful.
• Make sure they accommodate your needs: ask for a home visit if this would be more comfortable, and consider whether it would be best in the morning or afternoon.
• Ask for a longer meeting than usual, so there is no need to rush. If you are having a ‘bad day,’ is it possible to reschedule at short notice?
• Request your advisor sends a checklist of what you need to bring, and ask for a written record of the meeting.
• During your meeting, suggest how the advisor can help, for example, by asking a question in a different way, or by eliminating any distracting background noise.

A good advisor will understand your requirements and put your needs first. To search for STEP-qualified advisor, use our Find a TEP search.

See also:

• My mother has dementia – how can I help her?
• Alzheimer’s Society.

Mary Rimmer TEP is a Partner at Brachers in Maidstone