LATER LIFE: New drama highlights the benefits of a power of attorney
The new drama by DSDT, “The Power of Power of Attorney”, focusses on what happens when life changing decisions must be made on behalf of your loved ones…
Scotland, UK, January 2022. The Dementia Services Development Trust (DSDT) is pleased to announce the launch of their new film “The Power of Power of Attorney”, produced and directed by Neil Leiper and Moe Abutoq which focusses on the benefit of having a power of attorney set up when a loved one is in hospital. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted where hard decisions have been made.
Scottish River City actors Barbara Rafferty and Stephen Purdon, lead the film which tells the story of an ordinary man, a house painter, struggling to support his uncle in hospital as he has does not have power of attorney. The film highlights the difficulties of getting information and influencing decisions without this. A chance encounter at the hospital with a former client provides him with life changing knowledge. She shares information about how you can protect yourself and your family and make sure your wishes are followed, when life puts you in the hands of others. The film is set in Scotland but applies UK wide as well as internationally to prompt viewers to take care of their legal affairs using a mechanism such as a Power of Attorney.
A previous DSDT film involving Barbara and Stephen “We Need to Talk about Dementia” has been picked up by the World Health Organisation and used on their global information platform. “Take Me With You” a short film about the plight of old people trapped in care homes by the COVID crisis was nominated for independent film awards. All these films and support materials are available on the trust website at www.dementiatrust.org.uk
Barbara Rafferty stated about the film: “What actors do is try to replicate what we know and what we experience. I remember my own mum’s journey with dementia, spending the last eight years of her life in a care home. It was a privilege to work on the film – getting the message across is so important and necessary.”
Stephen Purdon said: “I have personal experience of dementia in my family and I am very proud to be a small part of what the DSDT does, and grateful for this chance to tell people about Powers of Attorney. If you are taking care of your family, you need to think about these things in advance.”
Sandra McDonald said: “Too frequently we hear from relatives who say their loved one always intended to make a Power of Attorney but never got round to it. We hope this film will encourage people to get on and do it while there is time.”
