power of attorney arrangements for an older person?

bargainhound, RN · Dec 27, 2006

Not sure what Canadian laws are, but yes, there are POAs for legal issues

and then also for medical issues..........probably varies from state to state

in the US.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2006

Yes there is various forms of power of attorney. It could range to just medical (ie: advance directive) or to just financial. I have a program that I use for my parents which approaches each area individually so as not to encounter confusion between them. We have one for medical and another that we keep in a safe deposit box for financial directives. This is something that can be done without an attorney and as long as you have your ducks in order so to speak can be signed with a notary then kept on ice for the time needed. This is what my mother and I have chosen to do for our interest.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 27, 2006

I too am unsure about the laws in Canada, but make sure if you pick someone to be your POA, and they have medical/healthcare decision rights...that you pick someone that understands YOUR wishes and will not be swayed by others when the time comes. Understands is the key word...for example...acute emergencies of non life threatening nature!

I have seen too many MPOA (medical power of attourney) either be too stringent on wishes...like a woman that fell and needed to be seen for a broken ankle and the MPOA was hard to be convienced that going to the hospital was not a life saving measure, got even worse when we tried to get IV access (for pain medications, proably antibiotics later, and fluids) and O2..."no she didn't want any tubes!". Thank goodness we were able to convience her because she had MPOA over the pts husband (who was her dad) and not the mother (who was a step mother) and she didn't know it...the patients children had a fit she was going to let her suffer! Whew..dodged the bullet on that one!

Or the MPOA that blocked any paramedic or nurse because their loved one was DNR, but had NO paperwork to prove either the DNR status, or their MPOA!

The person chosen MUST understand not only the choice of the person in emergency situations, but in emergent/urgent non life threatening circumstances...and the paperwork to prove to medical personal IN HAND to be actually SEEN by medical professionals must be present!

It is not a choice to be taken lightly, and sometimes it is better for an outside person vs family to make that choice when possible (some people chose close friends instead of family for reasons stemming from not wanting their loved ones to make those hard choices and live with them, to not trusting their family enough to actually follow through with their wishes).

Choose wisely...

GingerSue · Dec 27, 2006

thanks for this helpful information

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 30, 2006

I too am unsure about the laws in Canada, but make sure if you pick someone to be your POA, and they have medical/healthcare decision rights...that you pick someone that understands YOUR wishes and will not be swayed by others when the time comes. Understands is the key word...for example...acute emergencies of non life threatening nature!
I have seen too many MPOA (medical power of attourney) either be too stringent on wishes...like a woman that fell and needed to be seen for a broken ankle and the MPOA was hard to be convienced that going to the hospital was not a life saving measure, got even worse when we tried to get IV access (for pain medications, proably antibiotics later, and fluids) and O2..."no she didn't want any tubes!". Thank goodness we were able to convience her because she had MPOA over the pts husband (who was her dad) and not the mother (who was a step mother) and she didn't know it...the patients children had a fit she was going to let her suffer! Whew..dodged the bullet on that one!
Or the MPOA that blocked any paramedic or nurse because their loved one was DNR, but had NO paperwork to prove either the DNR status, or their MPOA!
The person chosen MUST understand not only the choice of the person in emergency situations, but in emergent/urgent non life threatening circumstances...and the paperwork to prove to medical personal IN HAND to be actually SEEN by medical professionals must be present!
It is not a choice to be taken lightly, and sometimes it is better for an outside person vs family to make that choice when possible (some people chose close friends instead of family for reasons stemming from not wanting their loved ones to make those hard choices and live with them, to not trusting their family enough to actually follow through with their wishes).
Choose wisely...

:w00t: Good response.

Check with your local attorney or (in US) Bar association for info...often have free pamphlets.