What can be done when the power of attorney of a dementia person will not get a full time caregiver as ordered by Dr. upon hospital release?

Maybe the POA is also developing dementia?

Do you have the equivalent of Department of Aged Care and state government Elder Abuse department. Report him with a written recommendation from the doctor

You and your neighbours have done the right thing, Duckie. It is terribly sad. I hope APS will keep you informed about your friend's whereabouts so that you can maintain contact with her, otherwise she'll feel very lost, poor love.

I wonder whether her POA bit off more than she could chew and didn't want to admit it, or whether she possibly has been up to something she shouldn't have been... But APS should be able to get to the bottom of it. I would imagine they'll apply for guardianship and find her a safe place, and that will be best. Is her family overseas being kept in the loop, do you happen to know? Is she by any chance the widow of a veteran?

The POA will not answer her phone. One neighbor was trying to be nice and give her a ride home as she had lost her way, and the POA told her to leave my friend alone and mind her own business. I was there to help when her husband died, I was there for the 6 hr. surgery, ( the POA was not) I worked with her for 10 yrs we were friends for 30. She has funds but doesn't want anyone there, and like any of us, doesn't want to go to a memory care facility. I called APS again, as did 2 neighbors. I've let her Dr. know, so thanks for all your input, I've been obsessing over this, I guess I just needed to vent. We're all in our late 70's and 80's and our husbands have passed. Thanks again...

If the PoA is not taking care of her needs (being negligent) and she is a vulnerable adult, I'm wondering if the state would consider getting guardianship over her? Maybe someone needs to document the neglect and show APS? Call them and document every single time you see evidence. Legally the issue is between the PoA and the county but neglect is a different story. Good luck!

Yeah doctors can’t force anything on anyone. They can recommend a full time caregiver but they can’t ORDER anyone to do it. Do you know if the person can even afford a caregiver?

No doctor would order such a thing. Firstly, unless we are talking Bill Gates, there are few people who can afford 24/7 care. Even placement may run through a Senior's funds very very quickly. If the discharge home without 24/7 care is unsafe there will need to be placement. If you suspect that a senior is discharged home into an unsafe condition you should contact Adult Protective Services and let them investigate the situation. Do you know the POA? Can you contact the POA and say what you know about the wandering and confusion? I feel you should warn the POA that there is not adequate care, and that if it continues you will feel forced to protect danger this woman's welfare to Adult Protective Services.

Your assuming the woman has money. An aide is not cheap. And then its finding one who will do the job and be there when they should be.

I agree, Drs and Social Works throw things out there without knowing the finances of the individual and what is involved in getting it done.

If you know the woman can afford in home care then APS should be called in to investigate.

My friend lost her husband to cancer 8 yrs. ago. 5 yrs. ago she had a brain tumor. The tumor was benign, but effected her memory. Before the tumor she was fine and she and a friend made each other their POA's and beneficiaries on all their bank accounts. The POA had a live-in caregiver to come for 1 month, then fired her and the company. My friend is a lost soul. She walks down the middle of the street in a daze, has no food in her fridge. We live in a very nice gated community and her neighbors are concerned for her. Adult protective services was contacted last year after an explosive episode where she was mad and throwing furniture in the yard. She was in the Hosp for 3 days with a 24 hr. sitter and again was released with understanding she could not go home without 24 hr. care. That lasted I week. They fired that one too.The POA pays the bills and takes her to the Dr. I called the Drs. nurse and told her what was going on, the neighbors have contacted APS again, it's a shame. My friend and the POA are both Pilipino and have no relatives here.

I agree with those those advise you to contact Adult Protective Services in your county if it appears the patient is at risk when alone. There may be a financial conflict of interest involved; the PoA may be trying to conserve funds for the inheritance. If the PoA refuses to spend the patient's money for the patient's benefit, this may be elder abuse. Do observe first and even ask the PoA if there is any reason he/she isn't hiring a live-in aide (yes, you maybe being a bit of a busy-body but sometimes...). Then follow up with APS.

Duckie, your profile explains that you are concerned about your friend, so this is not a family member? Your friend is being discharged from hospital, with a medical recommendation that s/he has a full time caregiver at home, and the person who has POA for your friend is ignoring the recommendation.

What does the POA plan to do instead?
Has the POA actually refused to do it, in so many words, or is the POA just not sharing information with you about what the arrangements will be?

Once your friend is home, if you then observe that s/he is not being adequately supported, you can report his/her situation to APS and they will investigate.

Do you have any immediate concerns about your friend's wellbeing?

Why isn't the POA getting a full time caregiver? Perhaps the money isn't there to get one, that would run around $600 a day in my area. Doctors tend to not consider those type of things.

Report the POA to Adult Protective Services.