Decisions About Your Care and Wellbeing

A Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows someone you trust to make important decisions about your personal care if you are no longer able to do so yourself.

These are often some of the most sensitive decisions in life, covering your medical treatment, living arrangements, and overall wellbeing.

Unlike a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, this type of LPA only applies when you lose mental capacity and can no longer make decisions independently.

What Decisions Can Be Made?

If a Health and Welfare LPA becomes active, your chosen attorney may be responsible for making decisions such as where you live and the type of care you receive.

They may also be involved in decisions about day-to-day support, including personal care routines, diet, and general wellbeing.

In some cases, they can also make decisions about medical treatment options and ongoing care plans.

If you choose to give that authority, they may also be able to make decisions about life-sustaining treatment.

These powers only apply when you are no longer able to make these decisions yourself, and your attorney must always act in your best interests.

When Does It Take Effect?

A Health and Welfare LPA only comes into effect if you lose mental capacity.

Until that point, you remain fully in control of all decisions about your health, care, and lifestyle.

This means the document sits in place as a safeguard, ready to be used only if it is ever needed.

Why It Matters

Without a Health and Welfare LPA in place, your family may not automatically have the legal authority to make decisions about your care.

In those situations, decisions may be delayed or made through external processes involving professionals who may not know your personal wishes.

This can create uncertainty at a time when clarity and reassurance are most important.

Having an LPA in place ensures that someone you trust is legally appointed to speak and act on your behalf if needed.

Part of a Complete Estate Plan

A Health and Welfare LPA works alongside a Property and Financial Affairs LPA to provide full protection during your lifetime.

It is also an important part of wider estate planning, alongside a properly drafted Will.

Together, these documents ensure that your affairs are managed consistently both during your lifetime and after death.

Related Information

Learn more about the financial side of planning:  Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney