What is power of attorney (poa)?

There are several types of power of attorney relevant to eldercare: financial POA (managing bank accounts, bills, property), healthcare POA (making medical decisions), and durable POA (which remains valid if the person becomes incapacitated). Setting up POA before cognitive decline begins is critical — once a person lacks mental capacity, it is too late to create one, and the family must pursue conservatorship through the courts (an expensive, lengthy process). While AvenoraCall is not a legal service, daily check-in calls can help families monitor cognitive status and recognize when it may be time to formalize POA arrangements.