AN Evesham legal services expert has set up a scheme to help older couples cope if one is suddenly taken ill.

Keith Lewis, who runs Family Estate Practitioners, has founded Senior Angels after research showed him nearly 60 per cent of families live in a household where one party is solely responsible for all bill payments.

"Though this may act as a preventative measure to maintain marital bliss, it can in the long term act as a catalyst for a whole host of other problems," said Mr Lewis. "Particularly if the bill payer is placed into care or passes away."

Under Senior Angels, he undertakes any organisational or financial administrative duties to help the individual deal with any challenges at an already difficult time. This can include choosing the best possible care home, sorting all care arrangements and funding, contacting utility companies and rearranging bill payments.

Mr Lewis added: "As we get older we seem to develop a reluctance to ask for help, yet this can lead to many issues being left unresolved which can ultimately lead to unnecessary stress. In the instance of the bill payer or a close family member going into care, the carer at home or family member can be faced with a number of overwhelming decisions. The Senior Angels service is designed to completely remove this stress and deal with all questions and challenges on behalf of the client, to result in the best possible outcome.”