Planning for Later Life
Published on 03 March 2026 09:50 AM
Why Planning Ahead Matters: Wills, LPA, Welfare Benefits, and Care for Older People
Planning for later life is essential for maintaining independence, wellbeing, and peace of mind. By thinking ahead, you can make sure your wishes are respected, protect your loved ones, and prepare for future care needs.
Key Steps in Planning for Later Life
- Create a Will: A legally valid will ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes. Even modest assets deserve protection, and having a will provides clarity and security for your family. Age UK Norfolk's advice team can guide you to trusted solicitors for will writing and provide information on free wills month.
- Set Up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): An LPA allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your finances or health if you cannot do so yourself. It helps prevent confusion and ensures your choices are respected. Age UK Norfolk can offer you advice around LPA and practical support to complete paperwork.
- Plan for Future Care Needs: Thinking ahead about your care options — whether at home, in the community, or in residential care — helps you stay independent for longer. Considering your preferences, support networks, and practical arrangements now can reduce stress later.
- Access Your Entitlements: Understanding your welfare benefits and entitlements is a crucial part of planning for later life. Age UK Norfolk can provide guidance on which benefits you may be eligible for and help you access the support you’re entitled to. Age UK Norfolk’s accredited advice team offers free welfare benefit checks and help to complete applications.
- Look After Your Wellbeing: Staying socially connected, active, and mentally healthy is just as important as legal planning. Planning for hobbies, community engagement, and support networks helps ensure a fulfilling later life. Age UK Norfolk’s advice team can help connect you to activities and services in your local area, or you can check our monthly ‘Diary Dates’ for Age Friendly Activities and events in your area.
How Age UK Norfolk Can Help
We provide guidance for older people on planning for later life, including Wills, LPAs, welfare benefits, care planning, and staying socially connected.
“Planning for later life is at the heart of our advice work. All of our services are free to access, including our support with completing Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) forms. As an organisation, we believe everyone who wants an LPA should be able to have one, and that cost to complete should not be a barrier.
A reduction in fees to register the forms are also available depending on circumstances and our advisors can help determine eligibility for this.” says Emma Harkness, Head of Information and Advice at Age UK Norfolk.
You can contact our accredited advice team on 0300 500 1217 / advice@ageuknorfolk.org.uk or catch us out and about in the community – you can find out where we will be this month on our Activities and Events page.
Why Plan Early?
Starting early gives you time to make calm, confident decisions about your will, LPA, care, and entitlements, reducing stress for you and your loved ones.