Aegis Living - Senior Care
Schedule Tour
Call us:
866-923-2712

Now is the time for your family to get power of attorney

man with reading glasses

Perhaps your mom is newly widowed, your dad has been diagnosed with dementia, or your parents have let their house fall in disrepair. You may be realizing that your parent’s ability to care for themselves is changing as they get older. 

At this stage in life, a change in health or mobility can cause a real disruption to a person’s lifestyle.  It can be unpredictable; therefore, planning is important.  Proper legal and financial planning for your parent will ensure their wishes are met. Then your family can confidently make decisions on their behalf.  Designate a power of attorney as a good first step to help your family be better prepared for the future.

What is a Power of Attorney?

The general concept of a power of attorney, although legal specifics may vary by state, allows a spouse, family member, trusted friend, or caregiver to make legal decisions for someone who is unable to make these critical decisions on their own.  This written document allows health, legal, financial, or real estate matters to be handled by someone that your parent designates and trusts without hesitation.

A power of attorney will handle all legal and financial concerns for your parent. They can be selected to make decisions on separate issues based on your parent’s wishes and thoughtful decisions. For example, your parent may want you to be their healthcare power of attorney, where you are responsible for decisions regarding medical care.  Or your parent might choose to designate you as power of attorney with the responsibility of their healthcare, finances, and property needs.

When Is It Time for Power of Attorney?

Important decisions will need to be made on your parent’s behalf, choices that should not be left to chance.   So, to answer the question: when should you set up a power of attorney?  I would suggest that you consider designating your power of attorney as part of your retirement planning.  Establishing a power of attorney is a good idea for any retired person or senior at any time.  And it’s important to understand that signing a power of attorney does not deprive you of control over your affairs. It’s a contingency plan that becomes a powerful tool when needed.    

How to Set Up Power of Attorney?

Start first by finding a knowledgeable lawyer who understands the limitations and restrictions in your state.  A competent lawyer in this area of expertise will be beneficial to your family, especially for a loved one newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. In addition to setting up a power of attorney, an elder law attorney can assist with issues like how to pay for long-term care, preparing will or trusts, estate planning, and assistance with Medicare, Medicaid, and social security.  To find an appropriate lawyer, ask your friends and family for a recommendation or search online organizations, such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, to find a lawyer in your city.   

Dementia Planning

You should start legal planning immediately if your parent is diagnosed with dementia, and a power of attorney has not been decided. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends meeting with a lawyer as soon as they are diagnosed so they can participate in planning before their decline. Hire an elder law attorney who will ensure your parent’s health, property, and legal matters are correctly handled. 

Setting up a power of attorney can bring you and your parent valuable peace of mind, so don’t delay.  If they want their financial and medical decisions to be fulfilled, then setting up a power of attorney who understands their wishes is essential.  Their future should not be something that is left to chance, but a decision made while they are able to participate in the process. 

Contact an Aegis Living community and speak to the Marketing Director who may have referrals they can share with you to get started on your planning.

Aegis Living Footer Logo - Home Page
Making the world a better place through constructing elegant hierarchies.
Privacy Policy CCPA/CPRA Policy Contact Us Careers Alerts & Updates
Don’t share my personal information/limit the use of my sensitive personal information.
Aegis is committed to adhering to the WCAG and welcomes feedback from users on accessibility issues.
415 118th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA, 98005. Aegis Living © 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Did you know we offer short-term stays for seniors? Whether you are heading off on a much-needed vacation, need temporary support for a few days, or just need a break for a few hours a day, your loved one can enjoy everything our vibrant communities offer. You can relax knowing they are being safely cared for by an experienced and dedicated team.

We’re here when you need a break.
In the final stages of life, when a cure is beyond reach, Aegis Living’s hospice program offers dignified End-of-Life Care. We join forces with a trusted local hospice provider, either chosen by the family or recommended by the community, to offer comforting care and supportive services to your loved one during this challenging time. Through a coordinated care plan, hospice services complement and layer on top of our daily basic care offerings, delivering comprehensive support tailored to the resident’s specific requirements.
If your loved one is experiencing mild or early signs of memory loss, you may assume that designated Memory Care is their only choice. It’s not. At Aegis Living, we offer an alternative approach through Transitional Care. Unlike most senior housing providers, we defy the assumption that early signs of memory loss mandate a move into dedicated Memory Care. Our program supports residents who are not ready to move full-time into our Life’s Neighborhood Memory Care. Our communities are designed to safely maintain a sense of independence, enabling those with mild to moderate memory loss to remain in assisted living if that is where they feel most comfortable. Our supportive team members are specially trained to help them tackle memory loss challenges while keeping their independence.
Known for our expertise in Memory Care, we offer a spectrum of options for seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. For those with mild to moderate memory loss, we offer transitional Assisted Living. For those with more advanced memory loss, we have a dedicated Memory Care section of our community, called Life’s Neighborhood. Our around-the-clock, compassionate team provides personalized care to meet our residents wherever they are, and our rich programming includes recreational and social activities to keep residents active, engaged, and making new friends. Our team is here to support our residents’ families too; over the decades, we have supported and educated thousands of families through the journey.
If you or your loved one are no longer safe or thriving living independently, Assisted Living offers flexible levels of support and a true community. Our Assisted Living communities are staffed by kind and skilled caregivers, available around the clock for whatever residents need. This may be very little for now but we are also able to accommodate a very high level of care. Meanwhile, with cooking, transportation, housekeeping, and laundry taken care of, residents can relax and enjoy all life has to offer.
In Light Assisted Living, we celebrate the spirit of independence and inspire you or your loved one to live life to the fullest. With a focus on providing the right balance of assistance and autonomy, our dedicated team is committed to helping residents thrive in their warm and welcoming new home. From a robust calendar of engaging activities to a community full of new neighbors and friends to meet, we are here to make life easier and more enjoyable.