Ticking Timebomb: Thorntons Highlights Issues Affecting Elderly

Leading law firm Thorntons Solicitors is holding a free seminar for any organisations involved in the welfare and care of the elderly.

More than 120 people will attend the seminar tomorrow (Tuesday) at Discovery Point in Dundee to keep up to date with the legal issues and financial problems that often occur and hear about steps which could be taken to help resolve them.

Led by Thorntons managing partner Nick Barclay, the seminar will feature a series of short presentations, specific case studies and practical examples of the issues affecting elderly people. 

Nick and the team will explain the legal and practical solutions which are available to help both the elderly person and the carer.

Talks will also be given by Malcolm Farquhar, partner at Thorntons and head of the private client department who will discuss the benefits of a Will and how it can affect those involved in care, as well as the executry process and the many problems that can occur when a will is not in place – or can’t be found.

Grant Johnson, solicitor with Thorntons will explain the benefits of Powers of Attorney and what can happen if the increasing frailty of an elderly person is not addressed which can often be distressing and time-consuming for all involved.

Jeff Bernstein, financial adviser with Thorntons’ investment division, Thorntons Investment Services, will talk about the issues of Long Term Care Insurance and funding plans.  With special qualifications in this complex area, Jeff and colleague Graeme Young are well placed to offer advice to elderly clients as both hold the required certificate CF8 issued by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Thorntons will also present their package of services called Eldercare which can how to help people in their later years retain a sense of independence.  Thorntons’ Eldercare service has a number of elements which can be tailored to suit the individual needs of each person. Basic elements of the service include providing assistance with day to day tasks such as dealing with bills and paperwork or arranging for extra care to be provided – all of which can be daunting for elderly clients.  For those who simply can no longer stay in their own homes, the service can extend to planning and managing the move into full-time care.

Nick Barclay said :  “At Thorntons, we have been acting for and advising elderly clients and their relatives for many years.  As statistics show, we are all living for longer which may mean that more of us will need more assistance as we get older. Nowadays it is also very often the case that family members are either not living nearby or working full time and are unable to offer that assistance.  Hopefully, that’s were we can step in with our Eldercare service.  We can offer advice with the practical issues such as paying bills and organising workmen etc through to further down the line when an elderly client may have to move into a residential or nursing home.  Again, we can help make that move and sort out the planning arrangements whilst still enabling the client to retain some independence and dignity. 

Nick concluded: “As with all legal and financial matters, it’s about being informed, understanding what assistance is available and knowing how you want your affairs managed.

Issued by Beattie Communications on behalf of Thorntons Solicitors.
Contact: Kimberley Hamilton, Tel 01698 787878