Dementia NI Member Forum Takes Power Of Attorney Campaign to Commissioner

Dementia NI’s Member Forum met with the Commissioner for Older People, Siobhan Casey, at her offices in Belfast on 15 September to discuss two important campaigns: calling for the implementation of Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney in Northern Ireland and improvements to the dementia diagnosis experience.

The Commissioner and her team requested the meeting to find out more about the Forum’s campaigns and hear directly from members about the issues that matter to people living with dementia.

Giving people living with dementia a voice

A key focus of the meeting was the Forum’s campaign for Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney in NI.

Members highlighted that Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland without this right. The current system does not allow people to make arrangements for their health and welfare decisions in the way that people can in England and Wales.

For people living with dementia, this is about much more than legal arrangements. It's about giving people greater control over their future and ensuring their wishes are known and respected.

Graham’s experience

Member Forum Chairperson Graham McElhinney, who is living with Alzheimer’s, shared his personal experience of discovering the gap in Northern Ireland’s system.

“After I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I remember being told to ‘go and get your affairs in order.’ My wife and I went to our solicitor, believing that the Enduring Power of Attorney we were putting in place would be enough.

“Sadly, we discovered that it wasn’t.

“It was only about a year ago that I became aware of a significant gap in Northern Ireland. We do not currently have a Lasting Power of Attorney system that allows people to make arrangements for both their financial affairs and their health and welfare decisions in the way that people can in England and Wales.

“For someone living with dementia, this is much more than a legal or administrative issue. It is about having a voice, maintaining choice and ensuring that our wishes can still be respected if there comes a time when we are unable to make decisions for ourselves.”

Improving the dementia diagnosis experience

The Forum also discussed its campaign calling for improvements to the dementia diagnosis experience.

A dementia diagnosis can be a life-changing moment for individuals and families. Members highlighted the need for change so that everyone across Northern Ireland receives the same access to support, information and resources following their diagnosis.

Looking ahead

Graham and the Forum thanked the Commissioner for her invitation and support in amplifying the message about these vital issues.

The Commissioner has agreed to meet with the Forum again to discuss further steps.

Dementia NI’s Member Forum will continue to campaign for the implementation of the Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney in NI and for improvements in the dementia diagnosis experience.

Find out more about Dementia NI’s campaign for Lasting Power of Attorney in Northern Ireland.