Since the coronavirus arrived in March, the word 'shielding' has become familiar in health care, news reports and indeed everyday life. People who had earlier led ordinary lives, were suddenly told that if they were at a very high risk of severe illness from COVID, then they had to minimise all interactions with others and stay at home. Since the new restrictions came in to force on the 5th November, clinically extremely vulnerable people have been advised once again to take extra precautions where coronavirus is concerned.

Solicitor Laura Ablett is a partner working with the Wills Probate + Tax Planning team at local solicitors Thatcher + Hallam. Laura has long been an advocate of her clients making not only a Will, but also a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), a powerful document that ensures that in the event of the author of the document becoming unable to look after themselves for whatever reason, they have appointed a trusted friend or family to look after their affairs. There are two types of LPA, one that deals with health and care decisions and another that deals with property and finance. However, ever since the original lockdown came in to force back in March, Laura and her colleagues have noticed a new and growing phenomenon.

'Basically, we have many clients who had been told to stay at home and not interact with anyone,' says Laura. 'In addition to those who had been specifically told by the NHS to shield there were many other clients, particularly the old and the frail, who were frankly too scared to leave home and felt trapped. For those without back up or family, the situation was extremely serious, especially if they had limited or no access to the internet.'

The numbers told to shield early in the coronavirus is believed nationally to have been 1.5 million, later rising to 2.2 million, according to figures from the Nuffield Trust. The rural areas were worst affected. Within B&NES it is estimated that 3.52% of the population were officially shielding with 13% of those aged over 70 affected.

'The actual figures of those shielding, or who felt trapped in their own homes is no doubt far greater,' adds Laura. 'However, what became more and more common were clients electing to make a 'financial affairs' LPA to help them get on with their lives. What happens if a person has no idea how internet banking works and probably does not trust it in any event? Trapped at home, care home setting or even in hospital, they are effectively unable to pay bills, go shopping or generally manage their financial affairs.'

However, once clients had made an LPA, Laura and her colleagues could see them start to get their lives back, with a trusted friend or relative able to discuss with third parties such as banks, their accounts, investments as well as the transfer of funds and arrangement of bills to be paid. An LPA can always be tailored to restrict the powers granted to an attorney.

'For many people this has presented the perfect solution,' says Laura. 'Once more they have their bills paid and have someone generally look after their financial affairs whilst they are temporarily physically unable to do so. It is great news that there is the prospect of the vaccine in the future, but for the present, making an LPA for many people currently 'shielding' makes perfect sense.'

Laura is able to reassure her clients that there are no problems about arranging for the formalities of an LPA to take place.

'We are adapting our ways of working to the current guidelines,' says Laura. 'This could mean carrying out a video call so the client does not need to leave their home, or simply a telephone call. We make it work for whatever our clients feel comfortable with.'

Thatcher + Hallam offer a fixed fee LPA service. Further information is available at the firm's website HERE: the T+ H site or alternatively Laura and her colleagues would be pleased to deal with any telephone enquiries on 01761 414646.