- Aging in Place
Power of Attorney for Seniors: When Good Intentions Go Wrong
- By Pam Kovalewski
What It Means to Be a Power of Attorney
Being a Power of Attorney (POA) for anyone is a huge responsibility. Serving as POA for a senior adds an even deeper layer of trust, focus, and accountability. Handling this role correctly — and for the right reasons — is critical to the well-being of the person you are helping.
Your responsibility as a POA is to the principal — the person who appointed you. Whenever possible, there should also be a backup POA in place as a safeguard.
Legally, a POA’s role is to carry out the wishes of the principal, not replace them with their own decisions. If the individual is of sound mind, their wishes must always remain the priority. In most cases, seniors are mentally capable but may be physically unable to manage certain tasks on their own.
Because laws vary by state, this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult an experienced elder law attorney.
A Real-Life Example: When POA Authority Is Misused
Why This Happens Far Too Often
Sadly, we see situations like this more often than most people realize.
Seniors are not children. They are not a burden. They are capable, deserving of dignity, and able to express what they want.
When a POA removes someone’s rights for their own convenience, the result is often anger, heartbreak, and damaged relationships that can never be repaired. What should be an exciting new chapter becomes a painful and traumatic experience.
Serving as a POA — financial or medical — requires research, preparation, and a true understanding of the responsibility involved.
The damage caused by a mismanaged POA can be devastating and long-lasting.
Financial POA: Responsibilities, Limits, and Legal Risk
A Financial POA helps manage:
Banking and bill paying
Investments and income
Insurance policies
Financial coordination with advisors
Their job is to assist and protect, not control.
Elder financial abuse is heavily investigated in most states — and for good reason. Taking a senior’s money is not just theft. It removes their security, dignity, and future.
A POA:
Is not paid
Does not get to spend freely
Cannot make major decisions without the principal’s input
If Medicaid is ever needed, there is a five-year lookback period. Poor financial decisions or missing records can result in denied benefits and catastrophic consequences for the senior.
A Healthcare POA must honor the senior’s wishes — even when those choices are difficult or emotionally challenging.
Their role is to:
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Enforce medical directives
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Advocate when the person cannot speak for themselves
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Ensure facilities follow written instructions
When no family or trusted friend can serve, there are state-licensed professional fiduciary services that can act as POA, Executor, or Trustee. These organizations are often used by elder law attorneys, courts, and healthcare systems.
They are an excellent option when:
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Family lives far away
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Family relationships are complicated
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The senior prefers independence
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No suitable advocate is available
Healthcare POA: Advocacy, Not Control
Planning Ahead Protects Everyone
Education Is the Best Protection
More and more seniors in the U.S. have limited or no family support.
Family members who live far away often underestimate how much their parents have declined until a crisis occurs. Even well-meaning families can unintentionally leave loved ones unprotected.
Pride also plays a role. Many older adults do not recognize how much has changed — until something goes wrong.
Every senior should:
Work with an elder law attorney
Have financial and healthcare directives in writing
Understand long-term care options
Know that Medicare does not cover everything
Have a plan before something happens
Planning creates clarity and security, not fear.
At Complete Senior Transitions, our mission has always been to educate, empower, and protect seniors.
Knowledge and planning are the strongest safeguards we can offer.
You can also find free educational content through our Smart Seniors radio show, available on our Media page.
“Youth is a gift of nature, but age is a work of art.”
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