Last week I posted a question I am seriously interested in…if you DON’T have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) why not? Ok, so this wasn’t research standard and yes the answers probably skewed but TBH the results came as no great surprise backing up many of the conversations I have had.

Whilst I am guessing this blog isn’t as eagerly anticipated as the return of Strictly I did promise part two so here goes….

Part one explored issues around checking the validity of a Lasting Power of Attorney providing clarification on the process and differences with LPAs registered pre and post 17.7.2020. The new OPG on line checking service and power of the access code were highlighted and the difference an Access Code brings emphasised – a double whammy of quick access and no more worries about finding that critical original document. From my rudimentary poll there is a lack of awareness about the code, the difference it makes is huge and both public and organisational awareness are needed #UseAnLpA indeed.

Last week I ran a Twitter poll to find out how people checked the validity of a Lasting Power of an Attorney (LPA). An LPA allows someone (the Attorney) to talk for you (the Donor) should you lose the ability to speak for yourself through progressive illness or sudden accident. This blog is a thank you for everyone who took time to respond, to share the results and, for anyone having a sleepless night wondering what the right answer is, then….ta dah…all will be revealed. On a more serious note this matters – we are getting better about raising awareness for LPAs but not so good about understanding what someone means when the say “I have Power of Attorney” – just how do you check this at 3am on a Saturday night?