My mom is now bedridden and incontenent. My dad is showing similar signs that she did like forgetting everything, misplacing items daily, and repeating everything over and over again. I am the only child and live with them to help with care, but I work full time and won’t spend my retirement caring for them.
Your parents should not be left alone if Dad can no longer care for Mom. You may want to call Office of Aging to evaluate your situation and help you find resources. I would say Moms ready for a Longterm facility. Dad maybe Memory Care.
I had no one but myself to be responsible too, but as my mother’s ONLY legal representative, the POA designation made everything easier, and not more complicated.
Do a little research before you decide…..
POA's are very helpful, as only child to my father, I was able to make decisions for him when he was dying. I have one from my mother as well, she is in AL.
I would never care for either of them in my home or theirs, I use the POA to assist my mother is not to be her caretaker, I am her carehelper.
As an only child, I found POA responsibilities for my mother were straightforward and simple.
As a CO POA with an ignorant relative, the experience was a nightmare, and I presently consider myself to be “in recovery” from it.
You are VERY WISE to put your welfare FIRST.
Make an assessment of your mother’s and father’s assets. BE SURE that your assets do not mingle, and BE SURE that your planning for them does not include using your own funds for their care.
If your financial situation will change without their income anymore to help with the household bills, then you need to prepare for that as well.
Without a POA, you have no power at all, even if you are very dissatisfied with what is happening with your parents. That includes if you think that your inheritance is being ripped off.
There are middle steps you need to know about, between ‘washing your hands’ of it all, and ‘taking on the burden’ yourself in person. Do some more checking before you make these decisions.