Can I assume this write up from my father's Geriatrician means he is not competent?

What you can assume from the doctors notes is, "dad needs 24 hour care in Assisted Living." Which is precisely what you tell HIM the doctor said every time he brings up another cockamamie reason to go back home. It's not YOU saying no, it's HER. And the subject is closed for further discussion dad.

He would, in reality, call you within 10 minutes of arriving home because he has no ability whatsoever to live independently and no memory to make promises. As his dementia progresses, the only "home" he's looking at going to is memory care.

SS, part of this whole process (being the adult "child" suddenly in charge) involves the ability to say, with conviction "no mom/dad, I can't/won't do that".

And meaning it.

And being willing to walk away if/when you see that your parent's unreasonableness is going to cost you your life, health or livelihood.

Don’t ask for clarification. Her portal notes give you everything you need to keep him where he is. Neuropsychiatric testing would take you somewhere neither you nor dad needs to go. He might object or refuse, and it could be hours of - what? Questions he finds stupid and uncomfortable and that will tell you what you already know: That he needs 24/7 supervision.

Looks like an admin changed the title of the post to be more appropriate.

To Alva's point, I was thinking along these lines this AM while driving to work. Maybe its best to NOT do anything for now. I have the doctors note and what is written. There may be no benefit, and possibly downsides, to trying to ask for a more definitive statement. My dad really cannot pull off going home on his own. He "says" he will hire all sorts of home help, but I dont see him being able to do that himself and if he calls agencies they will question his competence just speaking on the phone!. Most friends and relatives listen to his story and wishes, but dont take him seriously. There are one or two aunts who sympathize with him and have said they wish he could be home - but they are are not local and would have to come here for a few weeks if they were to help him pull anything off, - right now no actual mention of anyone doing that. so no direct challenge

As for status at the AL, he is not permitted to leave without an adult accompaniment, and if he called a taxi or something, they would question that. He has tried once to go for a walk to the local store, but they did not allow him to go. So eloping is not really a possibility for him. (hes not actually in locked MC, but they are pretty good with monitoring the doors for the most part.

As for the POA, its a DPOA and he signed it before going into the AL. I reviewed it with my attorney and the POA is fully in effect. My dad would have to go back to his own attorney to revoke it if he were to try that....

So Barb is right, at this time there is no benefit to getting him declared, except perhaps to answer him that "stop these ideas, you are incompetent to make decisions so that is that". However, maybe there is no need for me to have that to say right now. I can just stop his ideas and fantasies without needing a legal answer per se.

To Geaton's questions, I signed him in to the AL as POA. The only person who might try to get him out is this one aunt, but no evidence of her actually intervening or coming to town at this time.

There's medical diagnosis of incompetence and there's the legal bar of incompetence/incapacity. Why don't you send it to the lawyer who wrote up the PoA docs and ask him/her? In my personal experience, the lawyer needed to interview my Aunt privately to assess this (and also to ensure she wasn't being coerced to make changes to her Will or PoA).

Is your Dad capable of moving himself out of AL without help from anyone? If no, then what is the concern? Does he still have friends he can call up to break him out? Who signed the intake paperwork, him or you/his PoA?

I think you can also share those medical notes and have a conversation with the facility admins, if you're worried.

Memory poor does not mean incompetent. But it does say he needs 24 hr suppervision so cannot go home.

Is your POA immediate or needs Dad declared incompetent for the POA to be in effect? If immediate, read what the POA says. If it says you can sell his home, do it. The proceeds then go into an acct for Dads care and needs. Can't go home if there is no home. If you need a Dr or Drs to declare him incompetent, then see a Neurologist who will do the propper testing.

Why do you need him assessed as "incompetent"?What difference would it make?

You needn't do a thing, here Strugglin.
Yes, the doctor has said that he has these deficits and needs 24/7 care.
And this is enough for current purposes and will be enough for his facility to care for him with your POA.

NOW, IF IF IF
Some well meaning person brings an attorney to your Dad's suite and tells him he will go to court to prove him competent (free of charge of course)
THEN THEN THEN
Someone may tell you that Dad is challenging his placement and going to court.
The court could provide an attorney.
You could need court ordered examination.
Dad would fail.
Dad would remain in care after the legally required neuro-psyc evaluation was done.

So what I am saying here is that there is no challenge here. You are his POA and he is in care. YOU will be contacted. He will not be allowed to leave.

Don't go walking into the woods of woe when you don't need to. I don't know when your witching hour is, but mine is always 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. when I can get up. That's the hours I think up every single dire thing that might happen to me or one I love.
Don't go there.
Don't look for trouble.
Simply respond to Dad that doctors agree it isn't safe for him to be on his own now.
That you've placed him so he can get care and you understand this loss and despair for him, but that there's really no answer but to continue to love and support one another.