No capacity/no POA/no relatives

[PurpleWithRed]

Anyone know what happens to an elderly person with no family or relatives, no POA in place, who lacks capacity to make key financial decisions?

Saw this earlier, posting to bump, because I've experience only within a family.

The Court of Protection is involved somehow, usually it's a family member who is authorised to handle their affairs but it can be any suitable person.

There are a heck of a lot of forms btw, and regular reassessments.

Usually the LA will be informed. They then apply to the Public Guardian who will appoint someone to oversee the affairs of the person.

The local authority take it on, social services finance dept. Theyll also do it if there are family members who arent able or willing to take it on

What often happens is concerned neighbours, who may have been providing some support, can no longer cope and they contact social services. I'm not sure what happens next but I would imagine that SS apply for a deputyship via the court of protection so they can access finances to pay for care.

This happened to my neighbour. No family or support other than care package. Unable to stay at home and wasn't deemed to have capacity as has dementia . In a care home now and house up for sale. SS applied for legal guardianship but neighbor still adamant they are going home when I visit care home!

It's kind of you to still visit him. Sadly going home is a common theme in persons with dementia. Hopefully he will settle well in the care home.

Purple - that's tricky.

If there is no POA in place , then it is possible for some one else to apply to the Office of the Public Guardian ( OPG) to take over the person's affairs. This is not a quick process, nor is it free. I believe and do someone chip in and give better advice , an e.g. single person with no supportive relatives or friends , SS would take over their finances to pay for care, unless someone else steps in to take over their affairs.

I think both POA and an application after a person has lost capacity are both dealt with by the OPG - difference being , if the person has signed the forms beforehand whilst being seen as having capacity for POA ( I think now called Enduring Power of Attorney or Lasting - can't remember) it is so much easier to deal with. My Fil would not do POA and so when he had a stroke we started down the line of getting a guardianship but unfortunately he died before we could complete it.

Not your point but, in case it is relevant to anyone , there is a Financial POA so you can pay bills etc for a person's benefit - there is also a Health and Welfare one. The latter important if you want the hospital etc to tell you details about a person's condition.