I am my dad's POA and am working on handling my dad's finances. He needs more increased care. Can I access his money to pay for more care?

Yes. That's why you are his Power of Attorney.

If you need to hire a private nurse (which will cost maybe $40 an hr) in Memory care than he needs Longterm care.

I think you need to see an elder law attorney (your POA allows you to pay for this advice from Dad's funds) because it seems to me you don't understand the powers of your POA for Dad and it is time now to do that. If your POA is well written then you are responsible for acting for Dad on ALL his accounts, and in his best interest, and with meticulous record keeping, as this is a legal fiduciary duty in all actions. You will need hard and fast records of every penny into Dad's accounts and every penny out of it.
To understand each account you will need to speak to the bank, the entity holding the investment account, and etc. and to Dad's accountant or other tax person re financial repercussions, as you are also responsible for his yearly taxes and the records involved.
Being POA is a tough job. Once all entities understand who you are, have gone over your documents, and added you as POA the actual getting money in and out of accounts is easy, but that's only the beginnings, as you surmise with your question.
Begin to get books on acting as POA and see an elder law attorney with any questions you have on the list as a result of reading. And good luck. I served as POA for my brother, and as Trustee of his Trust; it was a huge learning experience I wish I didn't have to do. And his was a well oiled machine, very organized and simple. So my heart goes out to you.

I agree You should call his financial advisor in regard to the account mentioned. My moms investment girl helped me along with her accountant when I needed to use/cash in some of her investments for additional monies before her home was sold as well when we needed to use it to purchase her accessible van.

It was a few years ago and I believe they requested my POA documents and set up the account with my name to be able to write checks out etc. They advised me on what mom has set up on tax hold outs - what accounts to use or cash in over another. So I would reach out to his advisor for those accounts.

You need to speak with the financial institution that has the account and his tax advisor, unless he uses HRblock, because there are variables that NOBODY but these guys can answer too.

If he needs the money for care, you have to take it out, regardless of the taxes that will be due. He needs the added care.