What can I expect at the initial doctor appointment to activate the medical power of attorney?

I was a receptionist at a family practice office, and the majority of our patients were elderly. They had been with this doctor since he started his practice forty years earlier, and grew old with him. From what I remember with the patients that were agitated from dementia or Alzheimer's we did it in a way that wouldn't agitate the patient. We were familiar with them enough to know when their children needed medical power of attorney so we wouldn't ask questions about their memory in front of them. If they asked what we were having their children sign we would simply explain it was something so their children could continue to bring them to appointments, and continue to call for them if refills were needed. Something like this is always a touchy subject, and your doctor will want to make it as easy as possible. It sounds like he/she knows your father well enough already to not have to ask certain questions. Also it wouldn't be a bad idea to see a geriatric specialist to get something for the agitation like someone else mentioned. Medication works differently for elderly patients with memory loss, and what might work for you or me could make them more agitated or hallucinate. My mom's family practice doctor started her on a low dose of Ritalin in hopes it would help clear her mind a little. Unfortunately it caused her to hallucinate, and gave her extreme paranoia. She was convinced her aid stole her earrings, and started hiding things like her phone and remote in her sock and underwear. My mom was ready to call the police when her aid contacted my sister and I in a panic.

Good luck today, Franklin. Let us know how it goes.

Has your dad been deemed officially incompetent? Abuse is not the same as incompetent. You cannot really be in a POA position unless the person is not capable. It becomes a legal issue. That being said- perhaps confrontation is needed on the bad behavior. Good luck!

Hope you get an answer! I would get him to a geriatric psychiatrist when you have the ability to get him to the doctor. It sounds like he needs meds for agitation.