Miss Lesley Rushton is a fully accredited member of the Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), a select and specialist national group of lawyers who support and make a difference to elderly and vulnerable people.

Care homes provide residential care for people with long or short-term health conditions, the elderly, disabled people, individuals with learning disabilities, or people with drug or alcohol problems. Some care homes also provide nursing care.

We provide advice regarding funding for residential and nursing care, suitability of treatment and support and access to an independent capacity assessor, where necessary.

We can be appointed as your attorney to manage your financial affairs through a Lasting Power of Attorney and in those circumstances will assist you with your move into residential or nursing care, the sorting out of your personal items and contents, the sale of your property and the ongoing payment of your care fees.

Where you prefer to remain in your own home and it is safe for you to do so, we can support you in that decision, as your attorney, arranging for personal care and nursing services (and sometimes other support) offered by professionals, who are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

This is delivered by domiciliary care agencies, supported living and extra care housing services. These agencies vary significantly in size, scope, and the people that they care for. Most of these work with older adults, including adults with dementia. Others work with younger disabled adults, and some also work with children. Packages of care may be provided via the traditional route or as part of a third party or notional personal, personal health, or joint personal budget.

Many vulnerable adults and elderly individuals require support in their own homes. This is essential to maintain an individual's health, wellbeing and independence within their own community.

The Care Act statutory guidance defines adult safeguarding as:

'Protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances.'

We can assist with supporting elderly and vulnerable individuals to manage risks, through person-centered support and personalisation. We can help introduce services, with the potential to prevent crises from developing.

We can be appointed in a professional capacity as your attorneys, under a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property & Financial Affairs, to manage your financial affairs on your behalf, in circumstances where you no longer wish to do so, or feel capable of doing so.

Acting as an attorney is an important responsibility that should be fully understood. A core principle of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is that any actions taken or decisions made by someone acting for a person must be in that person’s best interests. Acting in the individual's best interests includes taking into account their past and present wishes and feelings, and any beliefs or values. We take the time to get to know you so that we are aware of your views and preferences, enabling us to react quickly and appropriately at all times.