Wills can be lodged with the probate service, to avoid the problem of not being able to find the will. This has the added advantage that nobody can interfere with the will.

Advanced care planning is very important to me. To know that the burden of taking care of my future decisions is not put on my family and next of kin is a big relief. (Listen to Anne Scott’s Dementia Diary here).

I’ve chosen the nursing home or the care home I would like to go to. It’s quite near where I live and all the staff there speak Welsh, and it will be the same if the managers change. I chose a home where everything I like is done. They’ve got a beautiful garden. All the staff speak Welsh and they all love music. (Listen to Glenda Roberts’ Dementia Diary here).

I didn’t want to do [the planning] but now I’m pleased I did it, because it means everything’s in place for my future care. And when the worst happens and I pop off, it’ll make things much easier for my family. We did a joint will; you don’t have to do one each…and you can change anything you want at any time you feel you need to. (Listen to Glenda Roberts’ Dementia Diary here).

I have an advance directive in place, it’s easy to do and guarantees your wishes up to and including death. Everybody in my support network is aware of my wishes, including type of funeral, what kind of medical intervention if any, even how I want my life celebrated. I think it’s worth noting – if you intended attending my funeral you will have to come dressed as a Star Wars character, plus no crying, absolutely no sadness – I will be watching!!! (Listen to Nigel Hullah’s Dementia Diary here).

Talk about your wishes, where you would like to die. Do you want to have heroic measures, staying alive at all costs? Talking about dying need not be sad. Yes, we had tears, but lots of laughter too. Now it’s time to enjoy a good life once I’ve settled a good death. (Listen to Agnes Houston’s Dementia Diary here).