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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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The person needing care / legalities in place needs to do this asap.
If they do not know how, they need to hire an attorney.

Perhaps you could research / find them (recommended) attorney and/or contact information for social services through the county to help get needs in place.

Anyone can be a POA.
I managed all aspects of legal decisions for my friend of 20+ years (recently):

POA
Will in place
Any and all other legal documents needed
Social Security Payee Representative
VA Fiduciary

Gena / Touch Matters
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Stay out of it. Let APS deal with POA. One shouldn't trust one's "neighbor" to become POA. (I also notice that you don't say, "My dear, dear friend needs help setting up POA." In other words, you don't consider your neighbor your dear friend. You refer to her as your neighbor). Stay out of it.

It's also ABSURD to think you can be POA for healthcare, when you're leaving the area and won't see what's happening to your neighbor's health. Please call APS.
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They need to go to a lawyer and make them the POA. Lots of lawyers do this. Your neighbor will have to pay but if they really have no one else.
No relatives. No friends. This will probably be their only option.
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TouchMatters May 2023
No, the neighbor does't automatically 'have to pay.'
This is up to the person needing the professional services to manage / pay for services.

I have no idea who is actually writing this question --- the neighbor or the person needing the support?

Whoever it is, an attorney is essential.
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NosrednaNod: Perhaps your neighbor should retain an elder law attorney.
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The neighbor needs to speak with an attorney and if he/ she is a senior citizen, their counsel should best come from an Elder Law attorney to help them navigate the ' systems' and, to be sure they receive all options. You should consider making a clean and definitive separation from the ' helper/ caregiver' role you are in . Refer the neighbor to consult also with their PCP and, seek professional guidance re both their " level of care needs" and resources available.

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..
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Lizreece67 May 2023
Hi Janice,I’m Liz sounds like you have good advice.As a caregiver myself of my mom for almost 5 yrs it’s so hard for some people to not care and just not do anything.She should probably just cal APS and let them handle it.But maybe you have some advice for me aswell. I have no help and I am so burnt out! But she’s my mother and I can’t put her in a nursing home not gonna happen.I’m 55 and i have felt sometimes like I’m going to have a stroke myself from all the daily stress.I have put adds on FB for help but nobody wants to work anymore it seems.My mom has Choices and gets 70hrs a week and I have been do the 70hrs for 5 yrs as her caregiver,but i never leave even after I clock out.Work says..we have no help to send,I think they just know I’m going to be here.
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Public Guardian:
https://gac.illinois.gov/osg/guardianship-fact-sheet.html - Elder Law Attorney through Legal Aid (see below)

Legal Aid - Search for "legal aid oak park illinois"
Oak Park, IL
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Speaking about family, mine are mostly older than myself and limit POA for me. I had no children, and only one of my siblings has two surviving members. My second oldest brother and my sister, both out-of-state, and her daughter, are on my medical POA. When my siblings do not survive me, my niece is my only natural family left. My nephew has problems and cannot be my agent. However, I was told that my brother's spouse's children will help me, related by marriage, since my brother did not father any children of his own.
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I don’t have a solution. I just want to say that you’re a good person for helping your neighbor while you can, and finding solutions for when you need to leave. It is very rare to find neighbors who are caring and want to get involved without some sort of agenda to take that person’s assets.

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.
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guardianship and fiduciary through state dept of economic security where seniors resides.
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Thank you all for the comments!

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.
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cherokeegrrl54 May 2023
APS is adult protective services. I would call them and let them handle it all. Don’t spend YOUR $$ for an attorney…
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Do not take it on yourself. You can advise your friend but unless there is a cognitive issue you neighbor can make decisions even if they are bad. Once in a hospital for an injury, the hospital will notify the court system if a discharge is unsafe. Probate court will appoint someone. It is usually a lawyer. Also if you are the same age, it becomes more difficult. An appointee will be younger than you
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An attorney is your best bet.

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.
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since you're not family - please don't try to get POA (financial or health).
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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NosrednaNod May 2023
What is APS?
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NosrednaNod, best thing is to have your neighbor make an appointment with an Elder Law Attorney to discuss this situation, to see what are the options.
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