Medical POA for my Mother

[MIGrandma]

I have had regular power of attorney for my Mom for probably 10 years or more. But, isn't medical POA totally different and we both would need to fill our forms for it?

She has a doctor's appointment Thursday for pain in her hip and down her leg and I am going with her.

She had a physical on July 2nd and I didn't go, but should have. She told me a couple days later she made another appointment to have the lump on her neck checked out. I asked her why the doctor didn't check it at her physical and she didn't know.

So they sent her for an ultrasound (I took her for that) and she said she got a paper in the mail stating "her lab results were all within the normal range" but she wants a second opinion. She had cholesterol and other blood work at her physical so I'm thinking THAT is what the letter was talking about. But of course I can't call the office and talk to them, because of the privacy laws. She thinks the letter was concerning her ultrasound. Her doctor said he thought the lump is a cyst.

So now she wants a "second opinion." I think she has gotten a bit worse in her confusion (she's 77) so I'm thinking she needs to have her medical wishes in writing and maybe it's time for me to have the POA for her, or maybe I wouldn't need that if she were to fill out the forms (I know there is a name for them but I can't remember) herself. I know she had been asked a time or two about filling out the medical forms and never wanted to, but I'm thinking it's time she did it.

So, if you have elderly parents have they filled out forms stating their medical wishes? Or do you have a medical POA for your parents?

 

[McKelly]

Yes, I have both financial and Healthcare POA. Once you have the Healthcare POA, the medical office will talk to you.

 

[JESW]

I have the POA for my Mom's finances and a Health Care Proxy for medical issues. Also had to fill out another form (name escapes me at the moment) so the nurses at her drs office could speak to me.

Jill

 

[MIGrandma]

Once you have the Healthcare POA, the medical office will talk to you.

That's what I was wondering about. She just seems to be getting confused more easily than she used to, and I'd really rather hear about her issues from the doctor's office than her as she says one thing then turns around and says another. Like today she left a message on my phone saying she "has to see a throat specialist" in August and made it sound extremely important. But then she e-mailed me and said she is "getting a second opinion" in August, and her own doctor said he thought it was just a cyst so I just really don't know what to think.

I'm glad I'm going with her to her appointment Thursday. I'm going to write things down that I want to ask him while we're there.

 

[McKelly]

That's what I was wondering about. She just seems to be getting confused more easily than she used to, and I'd really rather hear about her issues from the doctor's office than her as she says one thing then turns around and says another. Like today she left a message on my phone saying she "has to see a throat specialist" in August and made it sound extremely important. But then she e-mailed me and said she is "getting a second opinion" in August, and her own doctor said he thought it was just a cyst so I just really don't know what to think.

I'm glad I'm going with her to her appointment Thursday. I'm going to write things down that I want to ask him while we're there.

Do you have the name of the attorney that prepared her financial POA? My parents had them completed at the same time. Maybe there is a copy floating around out there? Otherwise ask at the doctor's office, they might be able to help you, otherwise your local Dept. of Aging is a good source. I would get it done ASAP, while she can still sign her name. My mom has Alzheimer's and she slipped fast. She fought us to the very end about signing over her financial POA to us (kids). In fact, when she finally did sign it, her dementia was so advanced that she could barely sign her name on the line. We had to point to where she was supposed to sign and even then, she missed the line completely. Thankfully, the notary was kind and said she understood because she just went through something similar with her own parents. She didn't question it.

 

[NMAmy]

Our doctor (my mother and I went to the same doctor) provided medical POA forms and so do both local hospitals. Last time I had to go to the ER, they asked if I had one and gave me one to complete later.

I can't remember exactly what it was but I know that my mom also filled out some kind of form with the doctor's office giving them permission to talk with me about her health and set up appointments and such.

 

[lsyorke]

I can't remember exactly what it was but I know that my mom also filled out some kind of form with the doctor's office giving them permission to talk with me about her health and set up appointments and such.

While a POA is probably going to be needed, in the short term have a new HIPAA form done at the doctors office and have your Mom put your name on it. The office can then release information to you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Get on a call with the office with your mother present, put it on speaker phone, and have mom give you the authorization on the phone to speak with you about her medical issues. Tell them you need to speak with the doctor or nurse.

I would do that tomorrow just to get a quick answer to some of your concerns.

Getting a medical POA is a good idea. We don't have it yet, however probably need to get one.

 

[gator75]

I have poa to cover health and finacial as well they had an attorney draw it up. It has been very helpfuls as we've had to use it numerous times for my dad.