I would like to talk to my mother's doctors about testing etc. but they always tell me they need to speak with her first. My mother has vascular dementia and my father is the main caregiver. He also gets tired and confused about test results. I would like to help out and do this for my parents. Must I do something legal to allow me to do this for my parents?
Health care power of attorney (or proxy) gives one authority to make medical decisions. I don't think that is what is called for here. HIPPA waiver papers are enough to allow the medical staff to talk to the designated person, without that person having the authority to make decisions. For example, a daughter could here that her mother is scheduled for radiation therapy but could not say, "No, I'm not allowing my mother to have radiation."