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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.