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Of course they can still be POA. However what kind of POA are we talking about. POA health care directive? If so then listen please. Advance health care directive is exactly that and nothing else. It is an advance notice on how I would like my health care to go. They also have a right to say no to the POAs suggestion for care. Everything else is a personal choice and that a POA cant take away. POA can't choose visitors, phone calls, or maybe a dinner date she has with another male resident. Its against the law to alienate is considered isolation and thats elder abuse. Especially if you or the facility try to stop a family visitor. Unless they attempt harm while visiting. POA should always work with family and friends especially if POA live far away.
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Reply to LoniG1
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It sounds like you are with the person and concerned that the POA can't perform that responsibility effectively. If the LO is legally competent, they can change their POA. If not, they can't. Since you are not the POA, you have no say legally unless you petition the court for guardianship. I suggest you meet with a lawyer before you decide what to do. Taking on guardianship is a serious responsibility. If you feel the LO isn't getting the care needed, you can contact APS and get them involved. That can start the ball rolling for state guardianship, if that is in the best interest of the LO. If you do any of this you should expect an adversarial relationship with the current POA. You can be forbidden from seeing the LO by the POA contacting the facility. Proceed with caution...
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Reply to DrBenshir
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Moms2girls12: Although my permanent residence was in another state, I was the attorney in fact (POA) at my temporary residence, which was my mother's house.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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Long distance POA is better than no one at all although local help is ideal.

My situation is that all my POA agents live out of state from me in CA because of lack of local relatives and I’m our youngest family member. My brother lives in OR State and sister and niece live in TX State. No one can relocate to get anyone together. Eventually, I plan to relocate myself to TX with family for my old age. I truly wish I could now go to retirement living in TX at 69, but financial conditions are tight .
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Reply to Patathome01
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Yes, as long as POA remains in effect. Sounds as though you no longer want to be POA. If so, help LO to find another POA or perhaps LO may want to make his/her own decisions from now on.
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Reply to johnawheeler
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I did this for mom in 2015. I just had all of her bills and mail sent to my address with the 2nd line stating c/o. My name.
Checks were signed with my name and "personal representative". Some of her bills were set up on auto pay and others were paid electronically.
It took a few months to set up and another to determine all assets when the tax 1099s came in.

Part of your question states that you cannot be apart. You do not have to live with your LO but you can set up professional services such as caregivers, or if competency is not there and her doctors are willing to sign paperwork, you can get the person into a facility. You are authorized to use the persons finds. If $ runs low, then consult legal help to get Medicaid application done.

I see that your question is incomplete and that the POA is incompetent. This is where guardianship needs to be petitioned,
.
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Reply to MACinCT
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Moms2girls12,

Yes, you can exercise your duties as POA even if you live in a different state, as long as the POA document is valid and grants you the necessary authority.

Acting as Power of Attorney from Out of State

• A person with valid Power of Attorney (POA) can act on behalf of the principal even if they live in a different state.
• Many duties, such as managing finances, paying bills, and communicating with healthcare providers, can be handled remotely via phone, email, fax, or online.
• The agent should keep certified or notarized copies of the POA document to provide to banks, healthcare providers, or other institutions as needed.
• Some institutions may require additional documentation or forms, even with a valid POA.
• Most states recognize out-of-state POA documents, but it may be wise to consult a local attorney to ensure full authority is recognized, especially for healthcare decisions.
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Reply to HaveYourBack
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As others have said, most all of the duties can be handled remotely. That being said, if the LO is competent, see about changing the POA or have you made the medical and leave the other as the financial POA.
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Reply to mikeindc
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Yes, as RealyReal says.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Yes. As long as they are fulfilling the duties required.

In your situation, your client can not change her POA, for a change to happen, you would have to seek guardianship.
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Reply to Isthisrealyreal
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Moms2girls12 Jul 28, 2025
Ok...the POA is very unfamiliar with ALOT about the LO. I took care of All medical appointments, surgeries, and follow ups. The POA is paralyzed and has his own caretaker. He, just chose a facility and isn't familiar with any of it. The LO was having visitors then all at once boom, no visitors. How can that be in the best interest of someone's mental health? Missed an appointment for pace maker. I made facility aware and double checked to see if LO arrived and it was cancelled.
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That's what I do. I don't need to stare at my mom to know her bills need to be paid or to act in accordance with her medical wishes. I manage my own life from my computer, makes no difference.

Of course there are many exceptions, such as managing home care staff, that need to be monitored by someone in person. But without any details like this, sure, why not?
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Reply to Slartibartfast
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Moms2girls12 Jul 28, 2025
Do you see her often? Are you very aware of what's happening in her life daily? The POA hasn't seen the LO in 2 years. Important appointment got cancelled last week. I guess in VA. I assumed has patients rights. Was getting visits then boom zero. My training was to keep familiar things in place as much as possible.
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Yes.

Probably not ideal, but a competent principal can select the agent of their choice. Most financial transactions can easily be completed from a distance. If there is money, hands on caregivers, geriatric care, managers, and other services can be arranged. If there isn’t money, everything is harder, but the POA is still not responsible for providing hands-on care in person.

Some states may have their own restrictions. Perhaps regarding a POA not being able to manage a specific type of business if not in state.

It would be better if at least the Medical POA could be available on site.

For legal advice you can rely on, consult an appropriate attorney.
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Reply to Frebrowser
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Moms2girls12 Jul 28, 2025
The POA is the only family the loved one has. But, no visits in 2 years and is paralyzed and has their own caretaker. Very put of touch with the loved one.
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