Living with dementia: top tips for attending a professional advisor meeting

elderly man and advisor

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:

Mary Rimmer TEP is a Partner at Brachers in Maidstone 

Disclaimer

An article of this kind can never provide a complete guide to the law in these areas, which may be subject to change from time to time. The opinions and suggestions made within this article should not be interpreted as specific advice in relation to any particular individual or individuals. Neither STEP, the article author or their firm accept responsibility for any loss occasioned by someone acting or refraining to act on the basis of the opinions and suggestions contained in this article. More