How to find a doctor to do capacity assessment for DPOA

Lucy C

We've been dealing with Mom's dementia for a while now, and we really need to activate her DPOA. It requires us to get an assessment from two "licensed physicians." Problem: I called Mom's doctor, and they had no clue. The office people don't think the doctor has ever done that. I don't know what kind of a process I need to follow, or how to find doctors that will do this. We're not looking for guardianship, just to legally comply with the terms of the DPOA. I don't think we need a neuropsych doctor, and she'd never sit through a whole exam (3-6 hrs) anyway. I can't find lists of doctors that do these evaluations. So do I just start calling doctors' offices? I thought of looking for a gerontologist, but they're not exactly thick on the ground in my area.

We thought we had everything figured out when we got the DPOA done, but I never expected her doctor not to have an answer for us.

M1

I don't think there are specific docs other than neurologists perhaps. What a pain. I would pressure her own doc to provide at least one. The office staff may be the ones who are clueless. I'd go in with a drafted letter (i bet you can find a template on the internet) so that all s/he has to do is sign.

Jeanne C.

My husband's primary care provider signed his form and a second doctor in the practice was the second signature. It was easy because they had access to his chart and the documented diagnosis. I agree with M1 that your mom's PCP is the appropriate person for this.

M1

Btw i checked and there are plenty of templates online. Great idea from jeanne to just have another doc in the same practice sign the second. So go in with two copies.

Edited to add: i think we need to add something for new caregivers urging them to get durable poas and not springing. These springing ones just create unnecessary hassle late in the game. Who needs this?!?

SusanB-dil

oh, yes - agree - Fortunately for us, DH's dad had their affairs in order long before he passed. And it is DPOA. I would not have known there was so much of an IMPORTANT difference in POA and DPOA! And… also the medical directives included. His dad was a wise man, or had a good CLEC, or both.

psg712

A few years ago I sat with a bank manager to straighten out some financial issues for my mom. The manager told me that I was extremely fortunate that my mom had her documents (including DPOA) completed in such a way that I could just step in and handle her affairs. She said she had meetings like ours all the time where there are no such documents, and the person is no longer competent to execute new ones. So the family has the time and expense of filing for guardianship. Thank you mom for doing this long before it was needed!

Lucy C

Update: feeling very blessed tonight. The doctor's office came through after a little gentle nudging, and we have a referral.

Thank you for all the kind comments and suggestions. (I too would think that the PCP could do it, but since she doesn't feel comfortable with that, I'm just glad to get the referral.)