QUESTION
Best way to assist elderly parent
Asked on May 20th, 2021 on Guardianship and Conservatorship - Massachusetts
More details to this question:
My father is 73 years old and does not have his original birth certificate, SS Card or even and ID. He does not have health insurance and hasn't been to or seen a doctor in in years. While I am in the process of getting all of this items for him, the process is tedious and exhausting. He is on SSDI and does live alone and pays his rent, but I was wondering if there was a way for me to become his proxy or some type of designated point of contact as he wouldn't do any of these things if I did do them for him. I honestly don't know what to do.
1 ANSWER
2 Awards
Your father can name you his agent under a Durable [Financial] Power of Attorney, giving you access to his finances while preserving his, and under a Medical Power of Attorney, allowing you to speak for him when he cannot communicate. The earlier these are in place, the better. To make sure they give you all the authority you need (applying for Medicaid, hiring home health, paying taxes, redirecting mail if he moves, etc.), talk with an elder law attorney. Don't just download some "one size fits all" form. You can find an elder lawyer near you using the Find a Lawyer function on the website of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (www.naela.org),
Answered on May 21st, 2021 at 5:22 AM
This is general information. It cannot substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney. It is not intended to be legal advice or imply an attorney-client relationship.