A STATE service helping adults protect their future decision-making rights is coming to Ballybofey next month, urging Donegal people of all ages to get their affairs in order.
The Decision Support Service (DSS), established under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, will host a two-day event at the Villa Rose Hotel on Tuesday May 5 and Wednesday May 6, in partnership with the Donegal Community Health Forum.
The event is free and open to the public, beginning with an open information evening at 6pm on Tuesday, followed by pre-arranged one-to-one appointments from 10.30am on Wednesday.
The DSS helps people set up Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) — a legal arrangement allowing a trusted person to manage your property, finances, or personal welfare if you lose capacity to do so yourself. Registration costs just €30.
Over 45,000 people nationally have opened a verified DSS account, with more than 6,000 EPAs now fully registered.
DSS Director Áine Flynn said the service was keen to change attitudes around advance planning.
“We want to help ensure that registering an EPA and making an advanced healthcare directive are part of positive and sensible life administration and not something to postpone until later in life, or until capacity appears to be an issue,” she said.
Mental Health Commission CEO John Farrelly said making an EPA was something every adult should consider now. “Making an EPA is an exercise in long-term planning which every adult should consider now to ensure that our wishes will be understood and respected during our own lifetime, whatever happens.”
To book an appointment, contact the EPA helpdesk on Freephone 01 211 9750 or email [email protected], or visit www.myepa.ie