Should a mild-to-moderately cognitive-impaired person become the Power of Attorney of a 93 year old parent?

Good for you. Glad you resolved it amicably!

Thanks to all for your advice. I said no. She next said “why not ?” ! ! ! Eventually it was settled, without my taking on something that I didn’t want to do or feel capable of doing.

I would say no. My husband was determined to be "borderline" for cognitive impairment in June. He goes back to the neuro in one month for further evaluation. He is the only child of an almost 93 year old mother, he is her POA and trustee of the family trust. So far he has handled everything well but I noticed a little confusion when he had to change some things around in the past few weeks. He had come up with a plan, then forgot the plan and I had to remind him of it. We have already discussed this....if his test scores go down at his next neuro appointment and/or he receives a definitive diagnosis of cognitive impairment, we will see our attorney immediately and make other arrangements for his Mom as he will not be able to continue his POA and Trustee duties.

Being recommended by whom?

For me, it stops as soon as you say you don't want the responsibility. It IS a responsibility, and it can become an onerous responsibility, and to be honest you don't even really need to state your reasons.

Is your sister finding the situation too difficult? In this electronic age, I can't see why she shouldn't manage the financial side of things just as well from Tasmania or the moon as she can from across the country.

But I can see the advantage of having somebody "on the spot" to assist your sister - are there any volunteers locally?

No. Absolutely NOT. I am POA for my brother, and Trustee of his Trust. It is not easy. And it doesn't cover other things for which you need further papers, visits, etc. IE: Social Security and IRS. It is ongoing and even when organized and simple it takes a good deal of time, record keeping, filing. I don't personally recommend it for even the most cognitively strong. A fiduciary should be hired. Speak to someone at the bank re suggestions or see Elder Law Attorney.

To answer your headline question, if I were the 93-yr old parent, I would not want someone who is mentally compromised to be taking care of my financial affairs. If I were the person with "mild-to-moderate cognitively impaired person", I would not want (or should not want) this responsibility.

How old is your sister, the current PoA? I'm PoA for my 2 senior aunties who live in FL and I live in MN and I am able to take care of their needs remotely. The senior complex can be paid in other ways, like BillPay directly out her checking account, mailed by the bank and set up by the PoA to occur on a regular basis. Or auto withdrawal by the complex. It isn't a bad idea to have a PoA local, but this person needs to be significantly younger than the parent, of full mental capabilities, trustworthy and accountable.

No. For 2 reasons. 1)you don’t want to be POA and 2)the cognitive impairment may affect your ability to act appropriately on your parents behalf.