• The ‘Forewarned is forearmed’ free community information sessions in Orange and Molong in August will explain the concepts and issues about decision-making as we age, and who can make decisions for us if we can’t

A Charles Sturt University legal expert and representatives of Centrelink Services will co-present two free community information sessions in Orange and Molong in August.

The sessions focus on ‘What you might not know but should know’ regarding the importance of good financial, personal and health decision-making as people age, and who can make these decisions if they can’t.

The ‘Forewarned is Forearmed – taking control of decision-making’ information sessions are at Orange City Library from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday 6 August and at Molong Community Centre from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday 20 August.

Adjunct Associate Professor Susan Field (pictured inset above) in the Charles Sturt Centre for Law and Justice will speak on ‘The importance of good financial, personal and health decision-making as people age, and who can make these decisions if they can’t?’.

Professor Sue Field said the session will provide important information and perspectives for older people and their adult children.

“The ageing ‘baby boomer’ population and the fact people are generally living longer makes it increasingly important for people to understand their rights regarding decision-making,” Professor Field said.

“It’s important because, for example, while there are no laws stating we must appoint someone as our attorney, either through a general power of attorney (which ceases to have effect if we lose mental capacity) or an enduring power of attorney (which stays in effect after loss of capacity), there are laws that state what will happen if we were to lose capacity and not have appointed a person (the attorney) to make financial and legal decisions for us.”

Professor Field said in effect, if someone loses mental capacity and hasn’t appointed a ‘power of attorney’, someone has to make an application to the Guardianship Division of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to be appointed as a Financial Manager, and that person may not be the person they would have chosen.

“Therefore, the choice is ours ─ to act or not to act before it is necessary,” she said.

“Perhaps the key issue is don’t ask ‘Who do we want to appoint as an attorney?’, ask ‘What qualities do I want in an attorney?’.”

Professor Field said the answer to those two questions can be quite different.

“Remember, appointing the right person, with the right qualities, can give peace of mind,” she said.

“Appointing the wrong person ─ without the qualities we want ─ can lead to abuse of the power of attorney.

“The qualities we should look for are integrity, financial acumen, availability, the ability to act as an advocate, and the time to actually do the job.”

The information session will also cover the role of Centrelink Services Australia specialists and participants will hear from industry specialists Ms Karen McColl, Financial Information Officer Centrelink (FIS) who will speak about ‘Centrelink and your financial decisions’, and Ms Stacie Palmer, Aged Care Specialist Officer Centrelink (ACSO), who will speak about ‘Simplifying Aged Care’.

Bookings are essential via Eventbrite (for Orange) or phone 6393 8132. Bookings are not yet open for the Molong event.