My Divine Concierge specializes in senior concierge services for those who need a helping hand from time to time. We can handle grocery shopping, getting the car to the repair shop, or even accompanying a client to a medical appointment. What we cannot do is make legal decisions on behalf of one of our clients. That requires something known as power of attorney.
Power of attorney is essentially a legal document that gives someone else the legal authority to make certain kinds of decisions on your behalf. More often than not, power of attorney covers personal finances and/or decisions regarding healthcare and medical treatments. Power of attorney can be granted permanently or temporarily. It can also be revoked.
We are more than happy to continue providing senior concierge services for as long as a client desires them. We can continue those services even after power of attorney is granted to a relative or associate. In the following paragraphs, we will describe certain situations in which power of attorney might be wise to consider. Bear in mind that we are not attorneys. Any questions about power of attorney should be referred to a legal expert.
1. Cases of Long-Term Illness
There are times when a person is temporarily incapacitated by a long-term illness to the degree that power of attorney is necessary. One example that comes to mind would be a broken hip requiring surgery and an extended stay in an assisted-living facility where physical therapy could be provided.
Such a case might call for power of attorney if there is no one at home to make decisions while the affected person remains incapacitated. The person to whom power of attorney is granted could handle day-to-day finances, access bank accounts, and the like.
2. Cases of Permanent Disability
Similar to long-term illness is permanent disability. In fact, permanent disability is one of the primary reasons people choose to grant power of attorney. A permanent disability that affects a person’s capacity to take care of him/herself or make sound financial and medical decisions is best addressed with the help of family members or friends capable of making those decisions for him/her. Power of attorney makes that possible.
3. Cases of Mental Incapacity
A scenario that would all but demand power of attorney would be that of mental incapacitation to the point of not being able to make rational decisions. In such cases, the person in question would not be able to make the decision to grant power of attorney; the decision would be left to a court.
Along those same lines are individuals diagnosed with dementia-related diseases. For example, someone diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s must come to the realization that he or she will eventually reach a point of mental incapacitation requiring power of attorney. Documents can be drawn up ahead of time and signed early enough to ensure that the Alzheimer’s patient makes the decision while still of a sound mind.
Educate Yourself about Power of Attorney
We have offered just three scenarios that would open the door to granting power of attorney. There are many, many more. Our advice to seniors is to educate themselves about power of attorney before it is actually necessary. The more you learn about the details of this legal tool, the better position you will be in should the decision ever have to be made.
In the meantime, My Divine Concierge is thrilled to be able to offer a selection of senior concierge services. If there is anything we can help you with relating to your day-to-day tasks, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be delighted with the opportunity to help.