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I am in her will or trust as her medical decision maker.

I have family members that have worked in elderly facilities where patients have no known family, some inappropriately try and cozy up to the patient for financial benefit. A couple actually did this to my granddaddy once my grandmama passed, he was giving away all sorts of possessions to them in his last days. I’d be real careful with a dementia patient, some things can appear like taking advantage and elder abusive, family has a way of popping up outta nowhere.
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Reply to GSDlover2
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Get out the paperwork that you think names you as her medical decision maker and read it. If you still don't understand your role, then see what attorney or law office created the document and call to set up a consultation so that you can learn what you're supposed to be doing and when.
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Reply to Geaton777
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I'm confused by this situation. Can you provide more details?
(1) If you are the "medical decision maker," that is the same as being a health-care POA agent. Do you mean that there is no financial POA?
(2) Medical decision makers are typically not named in a will or a trust; both of those documents focus on financial things, not health care. A will or a trust typically is not looked at (other than by the person for whom the will or trust was created and the lawyer, if any) before a person's death. How do you know you're named as the decision maker?
(3) Whatever the document is in which you're designated as the medical decision maker, were you not asked first whether you were willing to serve in that role?
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Reply to Rosered6
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Who hired you? Not enough information. There’s a conflict of interest here. You’re not a family member. You shouldn’t be in the will are you from an agency? A million questions unanswered…sounds very fishy 🐠
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Reply to CaregiverL
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"My patient"

You work for your patient privately? Or work in a facility where this patient resides?

Maintaining correct professional boundaries is VERY important. Ensure no conflict of interest.

As a Medical Decision Maker, your role is to communicate for the 'patient' if they cannot - communicate THEIR known wishes/values.

To keep this clear & honourable, I would be very careful here.

IF it is appropriate to have a Living Will / End of Life Wishes document and IF the patient has capacity to express their wishes - I would have either a Legal or Medical Professional assist them to complete it.

No family. Family members have a way of popping back up. Especially if they hear a non-family gets noted in a will..
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Reply to Beatty
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I will assume you are privately hired? As said Wills and Trusts are set up for after death. DPOA stops at death so does medical proxy. Both have to be assigned by the principle.

Really Medical Proxy only makes sure the principles wishes are carried out. Usually to do this, the principle needs to be declared incompetent to make informed decisions. If confident, proxy is not invoked. I would say if this person has no one, then Adult Protection Services needs to be called in.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Are you a doctor or social
worker? Please provide our forum more details to help you and your patient. Thank you.
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Reply to Patathome01
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That’s a tough spot. If there’s no POA or family, usually the next step is going through the legal system for guardianship or conservatorship, depending on your state. Since you’re named in her trust/will, it may give you some standing, but it’s best to consult an elder law attorney or social worker at the hospital to guide you on the right process.
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Reply to TenderStrength5
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A Will is only meaningful AFTER a person is dead.
For you to be a "medical decision maker" in her Will means nothing.
I would contact the attorney that drew up the initial paperwork and have clarified what exactly your role is.
If the patient has dementia and is not able to make a choice of POA now then a Guardian will have to be appointed.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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This reeks of taking advantage of a vulnerable elder.

You need to remove yourself from the situation to avoid conflict of interest accusations, which are bound to come from some distant relative who comes out of the woodwork to find out what happened to so-and-so's estate.
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Reply to LakeErie
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