Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Take Action
Power of Attorney Month is coming - Please do not leave it until a crisis
There is a moment many families describe in the same way. Something changes quickly. A fall. A hospital admission. A sudden loss of confidence with money or medication. A diagnosis that brings relief and fear in the same breath.
And then the practical reality hits.
Banking. Bills. Care decisions. Housing. Even getting information from services. People assume that a partner or adult child can “just step in”. In Scotland, that is often not the case unless a Power of Attorney (PoA) is already in place.
That is why the Dementia Trust has launched Planning Ahead, and why we are calling February 2026 Power of Attorney Month. It is a simple message, delivered directly:
Put PoA in place early, while decisions are still yours to make.
Why PoA matters so much - and why it matters now
A Power of Attorney is not about expecting the worst. It is about protecting the best of what you already have: your choices, your relationships, your dignity. It means that if life changes unexpectedly, the person you trust can help with the decisions you want them to help with, in the way you would want. Planning ahead is a gift, not a prediction.
Just as importantly, PoA needs to be arranged while a person still has capacity to grant it. If you wait until capacity is in question, families can find themselves facing lengthy, stressful and more complex routes at exactly the time they are already overwhelmed. And this is not a niche issue. Scotland has long had a very low level of PoA take-up, with public bodies citing that only a small minority of adults have a registered PoA. Many people still believe they are “too young” for PoA, even though it is available from age 16 in Scotland.
The impact ripples wider than any one household too. When nobody has legal authority to act, it can slow decisions and add strain to already-pressured systems. So, if you have been putting it off, please hear this with warmth and clarity: Doing your PoA is one of the best things you can do for the people you love. It is also one of the most practical.
The most common myth - and the truth
Myth: “If something happens, my spouse or adult children can sort it out.”
Truth: Families are often shocked to discover that they cannot automatically make decisions about finances, care or hospital discharge unless a PoA has been granted.
That shock tends to arrive at the worst possible time.
What to do this week
You do not need to solve everything in one go. You just need to begin.
Here is a simple way to start:
Pick one person you trust and say:
“This year, can we talk about Power of Attorney and what matters most to me if I ever needed help?”Choose your next step date - and put it in the diary. Momentum matters.
Get the right advice. If you are in Scotland, speak to a solicitor and make sure you understand the options that fit your situation.
Power of Attorney Month: February 2026
During February 2026, the Dementia Trust is working with Scottish law firms and legal teams to make it easier for people to act. Our partner firms will be encouraging PoA conversations and offering support throughout the month.
If you are ready, please do not wait for “a better time”. Book your PoA appointment for February now.
Take Action
Book an appointment in February 2026 PoA Month
Visit the Dementia Trust Planning Ahead webpage and book with one of our partner law firms.Use our Planning Ahead resources
If you need help starting the conversation, our hub is designed for families and supporters, with practical guidance and prompts.Share and bring someone with you
Send this blog to one person. Offer to do the first step together. A conversation now can prevent a crisis later.
And if your organisation, network or professional expertise could help shift the dial across Scotland, we would love to talk. Get in touch: admin@dementiatrust.org
How you can support our vision
Help support others in learning about the importance of Power of Attorney:
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✅ Join us – Get in touch to explore how your expertise, network or organisation could contribute to the next phase of our journey.
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Together, we can continue to accelerate progress, support innovation and reimagine what is possible for people living with dementia.
