Power of Attorney

Home / Nursing Home Abuse / Power of Attorney & Nursing Homes Power of Attorney & Nursing Homes Fact-Checked and Reviewed by Ricky A. LeBlanc Nursing home power of attorney (POA) allows a loved one to make medical or financial decisions on behalf of someone who may be unable to do so themselves. Having a POA is especially important for nursing home residents, as it allows families to take action if abuse or neglect occurs. At Sokolove Law, we’ve secured over $327 Million total for those harmed in long-term care facilities. Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if we can help you seek justice and compensation. Get a Free Nursing Home Case Review Last Updated: April 1, 2026 Legally Edited and Fact-Checked by: Ricky A. LeBlanc, Managing Attorney, Sokolove Law What Is Nursing Home Power of Attorney? Nursing home power of attorney is a legal document that allows a resident's loved one to make decisions on their behalf. This may involve weighing in on medical care, finances, or both, depending on the type of POA. It’s strongly recommended to have a POA in place before admission to a nursing home or while the resident is still capable of making decisions. Many facilities encourage families to complete a POA as part of the intake process. More than 50% of adults over 70 have a power of attorney , compared to less than 10% under 40. Most name a spouse or close family member to make decisions if they can’t. A POA can be useful at any age, but it becomes essential when long-term care is needed. It gives a trusted person the right to oversee care, make decisions, and take legal action for nursing home abuse to protect the resident’s safety and dignity. At Sokolove Law, our nursing home abuse lawyers have over 45 years of experience helping families secure the justice they deserve. Contact our team now. Let Sokolove Law Fight for You Since 1979, our nursing home abuse lawyers have secured over $327 Million for clients nationwide. Get a Free Case Review .widget_oscar-vque.legal{background:#E9F0F8;border-top:4px solid #1D4F83;font-size:17px;margin:40px auto;max-width:335px;overflow:hidden;position:relative;text-align:center;z-index:0}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .vque-content{padding:25px 20px 10px}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .h2{display:block;font-size:24px;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 10px;padding:0 6%}.widget_oscar-vque.legal p{margin:0 0 18px}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .button{font-size:18px}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .button:before{content:"";position:absolute;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;z-index:1}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .vque-image{margin:0;position:relative;z-index:0}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .vque-image:after{background:#1D4F83;border-radius:100% 100% 0 0;bottom:0;content:"";display:block;left:-50px;position:absolute;right:-50px;top:25px;z-index:-1}.widget_oscar-vque.legal img{margin:0 auto;max-width:240px}.widget_oscar-vque.legal img[src$="jim-cutout.png"]{margin-bottom:-40px}@media screen and (min-width: 1000px){.widget_oscar-vque.legal{border-top:none;border-left:4px solid #1D4F83;margin:50px auto;max-width:675px;text-align:left;display:block;display:flex;align-items:center;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.legal>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .vque-content{padding:35px 0 35px 34px;width:60%}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .h2{margin-bottom:15px;padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.legal p{margin-bottom:25px}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .vque-image{width:40%}.widget_oscar-vque.legal .vque-image:after{bottom:-20px;border-radius:200px 0 0 200px;left:25px;right:0;top:-20px}.widget_oscar-vque.legal img{margin:20px 0 0 -25px;max-width:325px}.widget_oscar-vque.legal img[src$="jim-cutout.png"]{margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:-10px}} How a Power of Attorney Protects Nursing Home Residents In a nursing home, decisions about care, safety, and finances often need to happen quickly. A power of attorney ensures a trusted person has clear legal authority to make these important decisions. With a valid nursing home power of attorney in place, you can: Ensure continuity of care during emergencies Make timely medical and financial decisions that protect a resident’s well-being Move your loved one to a new facility if they’re not receiving adequate care Take legal action if nursing home neglect or abuse is suspected “A nursing home lawsuit can be filed by the resident, a legal guardian, or a family member with power of attorney.” – Ricky LeBlanc , Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law div.blockquote-w-image{margin:40px 0}div.blockquote-w-image:first-child{margin-top:0}div.blockquote-w-image:last-child{margin-bottom:0}div.blockquote-w-image.default{position:relative;min-height:100px;padding-right:10px}div.blockquote-w-image.default img{border-radius:100%;position:relative;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100px}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote{border:none;margin:0;padding:0}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote cite{color:#782427;display:block;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:10px;position:relative;padding-left:60px}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote cite:before{font-family:"sok" !important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:"\e935";position:absolute;font-style:initial;left:0;top:2px;font-size:38px;height:50px;width:50px;border:1px solid #aba8a8;border-radius:100%;font-style:initial;line-height:45px;text-align:center}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote cite em{display:block;padding-left:15px}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote cite span{font-size:85%;display:block;line-height:1}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote p{color:#222}div.blockquote-w-image.simple blockquote{font-size:17px;margin:0}div.blockquote-w-image.simple blockquote cite{font-style:inherit}div.blockquote-w-image.small-img img{width:100px;height:auto;padding:0}div.blockquote-w-image.rounded-img img{border-radius:100%}div.blockquote-w-image.solid-bg{background:#f9f9f9;padding:20px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){div.blockquote-w-image.default{padding-left:130px}div.blockquote-w-image.default img{position:absolute;top:0;left:0}div.blockquote-w-image.simple blockquote{font-size:inherit}div.blockquote-w-image.solid-bg{background:#F3F3F3;padding:20px 20px 20px 150px}div.blockquote-w-image.solid-bg img{left:20px;top:20px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1000px){.blockquote-w-image.simple img{padding-right:23%}.blockquote-w-image.simple blockquote{padding-right:23%}} A nursing home POA gives families the legal authority to protect their loved one . However, even without one, you can still file a nursing home complaint to help if you believe abuse or neglect may have occurred. Types of Power of Attorney for Nursing Home Residents Families may choose from several types of nursing home power of attorney depending on their loved one’s needs and the level of care they require. Each type gives the appointed agent different authority. A nursing home POA may be made durable, meaning it remains valid even if the resident becomes incapacitated — a key safeguard in long-term care, where nearly 50% of residents have Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. It’s important to understand which type of nursing home POA you have and what it allows you to do to ensure your loved one receives the support they deserve. General Nursing Home Power of Attorney A general nursing home power of attorney gives broad authority to handle a resident’s legal, financial, and personal affairs. This can include: Managing property, pensions, or other assets to fund care Paying nursing home bills or managing income deposits Signing legal or insurance documents on the resident’s behalf Because it covers many areas, a general nursing home POA is often best suited for families who want continuous oversight of both medical and financial matters. Financial Nursing Home Power of Attorney A financial POA focuses solely on money and property. This authority helps prevent missed payments or financial abuse — a serious concern, as 1 in 10 older adults experience financial exploitation. An agent with financial nursing home POA can: Manage Social Security, VA, or retirement benefits Pay nursing home expenses and other medical bills Protect savings, property, or investments from misuse This type of POA can help families maintain control of a loved one’s finances and ensure funds are used solely for their care and comfort. Health Care Nursing Home Power of Attorney A health care nursing home power of attorney allows a trusted person to make medical decisions when the resident can’t. With many nursing home residents requiring help making medical choices, this role is vital for ensuring treatment aligns with your loved one’s wishes. A health care power of attorney for a nursing home resident may: Access medical records to monitor ongoing care Approve or refuse medical treatments Choose doctors or specialists Make decisions about life-sustaining care or transfers to hospitals This form of POA ensures that someone familiar with the resident’s values can advocate for their best interests when they’re unable to do so. Limited or Special Nursing Home Power of Attorney A limited or special power of attorney in a nursing home grants authority for only a specific task or time period. In a nursing home setting, this might include: Handling one financial transaction Managing a property sale to pay for care Signing admission paperwork This short-term option can be helpful when immediate action is needed, but a full POA hasn’t been set up yet. However, once the task is complete, the agent’s authority ends. What a Nursing Home Power of Attorney Can’t Do A nursing home power of attorney must follow state laws and the limits outlined in the legal document. POAs give important decision-making authority, but that power isn’t unlimited. In general, a nursing home power of attorney cannot: Act outside the scope of authority granted in the POA document Change or create a will on behalf of the resident Make decisions that are not in the resident's best interest Override the resident’s wishes while they still have the capacity to make their own decisions Transfer their authority to another person Use the resident’s money or property for personal gain Power of attorney ends after a nursing home resident’s death . POAs can’t continue to act on behalf of a resident after their passing, unless the same person is named as executor of their estate. Setting Up a Power of Attorney for Nursing Home Residents When a loved one enters a nursing home, families naturally worry about their safety, care, and dignity. Sadly, abuse and neglect in long-term care remain common. A nursing home power of attorney is one of the most effective ways to protect your loved one’s rights and ensure consistent care. Learn about tips for setting up a nursing home POA: Choose a trusted agent : Select someone reliable, honest, and fully aware of your loved one’s wishes. Decide on the type : A medical POA covers health care decisions, while a financial POA manages money and property. A durable POA stays valid even if your loved one becomes incapacitated. Set it up early : Establish the POA before your loved one’s health declines to avoid court delays or conflicts over guardianship. Follow state law : Make sure the document includes required signatures, witnesses, or notarization so it is legally binding. Share and communicate : Give copies to nursing home staff, doctors, and family members to keep everyone informed and prevent confusion. It’s important to get a valid POA in place as soon as possible. If your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, you could lose the right to pursue justice on their behalf if the filing deadline known as the statute of limitations expires. Taking Legal Action with Nursing Home Power of Attorney Power of attorney and nursing home care often go hand in hand when a resident cannot make decisions for themselves. A valid POA gives families the legal right to step in, protect their loved one’s safety, and take action if neglect or abuse occurs. About 44% of older adults in long-term care facilities experience some form of abuse, yet only around 7% of cases are ever reported, according to the National Institutes of Health. With this authority, an agent can communicate directly with nursing home staff, access care records, and work with a nursing home attorney to hold the facility accountable for harm. “We have a national network of attorneys who focus exclusively on nursing home abuse and neglect. The people we work with understand what families go through — from cases of dehydration to choking deaths. We’ve seen every one of these problems.” – Jim Sokolove , Firm Founder (Retired 2013) div.blockquote-w-image{margin:40px 0}div.blockquote-w-image:first-child{margin-top:0}div.blockquote-w-image:last-child{margin-bottom:0}div.blockquote-w-image.default{position:relative;min-height:100px;padding-right:10px}div.blockquote-w-image.default img{border-radius:100%;position:relative;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100px}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote{border:none;margin:0;padding:0}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote cite{color:#782427;display:block;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:10px;position:relative;padding-left:60px}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote cite:before{font-family:"sok" !important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:"\e935";position:absolute;font-style:initial;left:0;top:2px;font-size:38px;height:50px;width:50px;border:1px solid #aba8a8;border-radius:100%;font-style:initial;line-height:45px;text-align:center}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote cite em{display:block;padding-left:15px}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote cite span{font-size:85%;display:block;line-height:1}div.blockquote-w-image.default blockquote p{color:#222}div.blockquote-w-image.simple blockquote{font-size:17px;margin:0}div.blockquote-w-image.simple blockquote cite{font-style:inherit}div.blockquote-w-image.small-img img{width:100px;height:auto;padding:0}div.blockquote-w-image.rounded-img img{border-radius:100%}div.blockquote-w-image.solid-bg{background:#f9f9f9;padding:20px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){div.blockquote-w-image.default{padding-left:130px}div.blockquote-w-image.default img{position:absolute;top:0;left:0}div.blockquote-w-image.simple blockquote{font-size:inherit}div.blockquote-w-image.solid-bg{background:#F3F3F3;padding:20px 20px 20px 150px}div.blockquote-w-image.solid-bg img{left:20px;top:20px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1000px){.blockquote-w-image.simple img{padding-right:23%}.blockquote-w-image.simple blockquote{padding-right:23%}} If a resident is experiencing abuse or neglect, the agent may also have the right to pursue a nursing home lawsuit