I have been assisting a neighbor of mine with care issues. They state they have no next of kin (no siblings, deceased parents). I will be moving away from the area soon, so I am not a good long-term solution.
What are options for Power of Attorney for healthcare for someone who has no relatives or friends?
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POA is a serious document. no one should be trusted to be POA, apart from a family member (yes a family member can also behave badly, but still...).
since the person has no family - contact APS.
there are official people who can be hired as POA as well, when there's no family. let APS deal with it.
my point is, please OP don't try to get POA. i know you say health, but i wouldn't be surprised if you want to try to get financial, too. please don't try to get either.
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Many people who HAVE families have opted to use their atty as their POA. My son is an attorney and he has POA for a few clients. He hasn't had to enact any yet, so it remains to be seen how he does it.
You are all thinking the way I am thinking. I most certainly do not want to get involved in an official capacity. It just won’t be a practical long term solution for either of us.
You have given me some great tips to explore.
If the neighbor refuses and, you feel there are safety issues in the home, tell the neighbor the date you are leaving and will no longer be available; then leave. You can also always call APS ( adult protective services) and report ( even anonymously) the situation in the home; then leave it. As hard as this may sound, it is best for both your neighbor and you for their care, well being ( physical and emotional), as well as your well being and separation of accountability. Do not continue to be a crutch as it easily prevents the neighbor( patient) from taking appropriate steps to obtain realistic services and, confront/ accept the needs.
Best regards..
My neighbors are not understanding of my curmudgeonly elderly mother. I have another elderly neighbor who often has to carry his own groceries to his house and do other things without assistance from others.
It takes a village when it comes to caring for children and the elderly. Sadly our society has seen a breakdown in community and people tend to keep to themselves and not want to get involved, nor do they have sympathy. I wish you all the best.
https://gac.illinois.gov/osg/guardianship-fact-sheet.html - Elder Law Attorney through Legal Aid (see below)
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Oak Park, IL
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