How a Geriatric Care Manager and a Durable Power of Attorney Make Aging Easier

Do you know that more than half of all seniors over 85 have some form of cognitive impairment or dementia? That’s a scary thought for the elderly who live alone, and it’s even more frightening for those who care about them. A geriatric care manager and a durable power of attorney can work together to make everyone feel better about getting older.

In this case, a power of attorney is an agreement between you and your loved one that provides a legal framework through which you can act on the senior’s behalf. You can have as many or as few rights as your loved one chooses, from bill paying to buying and selling property. Surprisingly though, “general” powers of attorney stop just when they’re needed most – when the principal becomes incapable of making his or her own decisions. A “durable” power of attorney, however, does not end, and will ensure that your loved one’s wishes are carried out even if they become incapacitated.

Filing a durable power of attorney just makes good sense, as does having an unbiased third party to monitor the situation. A geriatric care manager can be that unbiased third party, being there to evaluate your loved one’s health and well-being, and provide status updates. You’ll always be assured that your elderly relative is receiving the best possible care, even if you can’t be there.

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