Just 8% of adults in Ireland have appointed an enduring power of attorney, according to the Decision Support Service.
The service is urging people to put arrangements in place in case they lose the capacity to make decisions for themselves.
Adults are also being encouraged to make an advance healthcare directive, outlining their wishes for future medical treatment.
Director of the Decision Support Service, Áine Flynn, says it is a common misconception that next of kin automatically have the authority to make decisions on someone’s behalf:
