Power of Attorney

Highland Power of Attorney Month 2026

NHS Highland and The Highland Council have launched Highland Power of Attorney Month, a joint public awareness campaign running throughout June 2026 to encourage every adult across the Highland region to consider putting a PoA in place.

The campaign is the first of its kind in Highland and comes as national research reveals a significant gap between public awareness of PoA and the number of people who actually have one.

Research by the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement, published in March 2025, found that:

• fewer than 1 in 10 adults across Great Britain have an up-to-date PoA in place
• 45% have never thought about putting one in place at all

View YouTube Short video clips of David Fraser, Chair of The Highland Council Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, talking about PoA:

• What is Power of Attorney really about?
• What are some misunderstandings about PoA?

What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney document is drawn up by an adult (the granter), giving specific powers to someone they trust to make decisions or take actions on their behalf. This person is called their attorney.

Someone can only make a PoA when they have the capacity to understand what it means to grant these powers.

The powers granted can be financial and property matters (called continuing power of attorney) or welfare matters (welfare power of attorney). The document must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.

Someone granted a continuing PoA can use it as soon as it is registered, unless the PoA says otherwise. A welfare PoA can only be used for decisions the person has lost the capacity to make him or herself. Some PoAs say that the attorney can only use their powers after a specific event, such as an assessment by a doctor to say the person has lost capacity.

Both medical professionals and solicitors are legally empowered to authorise power of attorney.

What is the difference between PoA and Guardianship?

A Power of Attorney can only be granted to an individual who can understand and explain their wishes, whereas Guardianship applies when a person does not have capacity to make decisions on their own behalf.

A welfare guardian can be an individual, such as a relative or close friend, or the Chief Social Work Officer. The guardianship order will say which decisions and/or actions the welfare guardian can take on behalf of the person with incapacity. The guardian is appointed by the sheriff's court.

When should I set up a PoA?

Power of Attorney is not limited to people who are older or unwell. No one can predict when they may face an unforeseen illness, accident or other debilitating event that may render them incapacitated. 

Everyone should consider setting up a PoA at any stage of life, to avoid any future complications.

My PoA journey

Catriona Grant writes:

"My parents arranged their Power of Attorneys (welfare and continuing powers) in 2008. They were 70 years old at the time, both in good health and living independently. They appointed each other as their Attorneys alongside my sister and I, with us being able to act together or separately to each other.

In 2018, at the age of 81, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer-type dementia.

In February 2021, my father suffered a heart attack and then was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in May 2021. This led him to want to ensure all arrangements were in place both for himself and my mother, as his illness and her dementia illness progressed. Having the PoA document in place enabled my sister and I to support our parents in their decision making.

My father’s illness progressed quite rapidly but he was still mentally able to manage his affairs and give direction to my sister and I. The continuing PoA enabled my sister and I to support our father to arrange the sale of the family home and the purchase of a much smaller house where my parents’ needs could be met, and my mother’s needs could be met longer term. This enabled my father to still feel in control of his affairs and have the full support of his daughters to enable this to happen smoothly.

As my father’s health declined, and my mother’s needs increased, my sister and I were able to utilise the welfare power of attorney powers to engage with health and social work services. We sought assessment, requested a self-directed support direct payment and arranged the provision of support my father required in his final stages of life, while ensuring a package of care and support was in place for our mother.

Having the PoA document in place for welfare and continuing powers enabled me to employ personal assistants to support my father to undertake activities, provide respite and essentially enable him to enjoy the remaining few months of his life.

My mother is now 89 years old and living with Alzheimer’s Dementia, but most importantly she is living her life the way she wanted, independently at home supported by her exceptional team of personal assistants, family and friends.

As a result of the journey my family and I have been on, my sister, my husband, my in-laws and I have all granted a Power of Attorney, as you never know when it might be necessary."

(May 2026)

Welfare Support Team case studies

Some anonymised case studies from Highland Council's Welfare Support Team related to Power of Attorney:

Case study 1

“A financial Power of Attorney plays a key role in managing everyday financial commitments and preventing disruption. Your appointed attorney can take care of essential day-to-day matters such as mortgages, rent, utilities, and council tax matters, ensuring payments are made on time and accounts remain in good order. This protects against missed payments, arrears, or unnecessary financial pressure building up.

For example, the Council’s Welfare Support team recently assisted David from Skye, who was able to enquire about and manage his father’s rental costs because a Power of Attorney was in place, enabling matters to be addressed promptly and preventing issues from escalating. This type of arrangement is particularly valuable in maintaining financial stability when someone is unable to manage their affairs independently.”

Case study 2

“Having a financial Power of Attorney in place also allows for timely intervention and coordinated support during periods of significant change.

Margaret from Wick was able to step in and manage her mother’s finances following a diagnosis of dementia -something that would have been far more complex without clear legal authority. With a Power of Attorney in place, the Council’s Welfare Support team could work directly with her, helping to review income and outgoings, signpost to partners to assist with care-related costs, and identify any additional financial entitlements. 

This joined-up approach helps families navigate challenging circumstances, ensuring finances are stabilised quickly and the right support is put in place before issues arise.”

Case study 3

“Where a financial Power of Attorney is not in place, it can significantly delay the ability to intervene and provide coordinated support during periods of crisis or change.

In one case involving a resident in the north area, a family member was unable to step in and manage their parent’s finances following a sudden deterioration in health, as there was no legal authority in place. This created additional stress at an already difficult time and meant that access to bank accounts, payment of bills, and financial decision-making were all restricted.

Without Power of Attorney, the Council’s Welfare Support team is limited in how it can engage, often requiring more complex processes before support can be provided. This can delay income maximisation work, access to appropriate benefits, and referrals to partner agencies for help with care-related costs. As a result, financial pressures can escalate, and opportunities for early intervention may be missed.

This highlights the importance of having a Power of Attorney in place in advance, ensuring that families can act quickly, work in partnership with support services, and put the right financial arrangements in place before issues become more serious.”

More information

Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland)

• What is a Power of Attorney? - explains more about a PoA and how to obtain one
• Contact details - for general advice and guidance

More resources

• Setting up power of attorney -  from Scottish Government
• Health and care decisions and legal planning - from NHS inform
• Managing affairs for someone else - from Citizens Advice (Scotland)
• Guide to Power of Attorney in Scotland - from Age Scotland