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Dementiaparents Asked August 2022

Is there a way to make all of the medical decisions for a parent in a nursing home without having to sign a contract with the NH?

My mother is currently in a NH and has severe dementia that is progressing rapidly and the nursing home staff have mentioned that I should take over as the “responsible person” because she isn’t able to make decisions about her care anymore. Is there a way of becoming the medical decision maker for her care without me having to sign a contract with the NH? I have a durable POA and her advance medical directive that says that I can take over if she is no longer able to. I just don’t want to have to sign a contract with the NH unless that’s the only option.

JoAnn29 Aug 2022
IMO, your POAs are enough. You take in the originals and have them make copies.

Read your POAs and see if a letter from her doctor is needed to make your POA effective. I just read my Moms POA, for another question, and it turns out it was immediate. So no need for a doctor sign off on her financial but I did need a doctor to make her healthcare directive effective.

I would be leary of signing anything that says "responsible person". I would read this very carefully. You could be signing a financial responsibility.

igloo572 Aug 2022
Has the facility actually asked for this?
and
have they gotten a copy of the existing POA?

Has there been a scheduled care plan meeting done yet? Usually they are s he very 90 days if Medicare is paying for her medical costs.

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Geaton777 Aug 2022
I'm not sure what signing another contract does... I don't remember my husband signing something like for his Mom, but all facilities are run differently. Ask for a copy, take it home and read it, then decide. If it seems concerning maybe consult with an elder law attorney.

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