A UK‑wide awareness day, Power of Attorney Day, is taking place today to encourage people to plan ahead and put legal arrangements in place before they are needed.

The campaign aims to help people of all ages understand the importance of choosing someone they trust to make decisions on their behalf if they are ever unable to do so.

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that can cover decisions about your welfare/health and your finances. Many people delay setting one up, often believing it is only relevant for older people or extreme situations.

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care in South Lanarkshire, said: “Power of Attorney is about protecting your wishes and making things clearer for the people closest to you if circumstances change.

“People are often surprised to learn that next of kin do not automatically have legal authority to make decisions on someone else’s behalf.

“Putting arrangements in place earlier can reduce uncertainty and help families focus on care and support, not urgent paperwork.”

The campaign is particularly relevant for unpaid carers, who can face practical challenges in managing appointments, finances or care arrangements if there is no legal authority in place.

General information is available on the council website and details on how to register the document with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) are on its website.