Elder Care: The Power of Attorney and the Power of God

by Vanessa Barnes

It is a tough thing; parenting your parents. There are so many variables to consider, which is why it is essential we keep the main thing the main thing.

For the purpose of being caretaker of the elderly, the immediate need is possessing a viable Power of Attorney.

Unfortunately there are no prerequisites, which easily guide us into the unrecognizable world of parenting our aging parents.

Today God has provided me the opportunity to share with you this first hand knowledge attained by having been there.

Transitioning from being cared for as children and now having to care for parents requires much order. That order begins with someone having the power to make critical decisions when needed.

Frequently the question of who has 'power of attorney' will manifest itself at a very inopportune time.

You must be prepared to eventually make a financial, medical or personal decision.

It is a great idea to do your due diligence long before the need arise.

We are most susceptible to surprise, heartache and headache when we are not prepared for the worse and are expecting the best.

The bad news is when you couple management of each aspect of your own household with that of your parents, you are in for a momentous task.

The very good news is as Christians, we are predestined to walk the path of love and compassion even when we cannot see how we will get through it.

We are never in it alone. By providing His Spirit permanent residence inside each of us, our Father has seen to it that His power is equally available for strengthening us when we become weak.

Not only must we see to it that we have the proper Power of Attorney for taking care of business, we must acknowledge the spiritual power inherent with faith in our Dad that is in heaven.

Certainly He has properly gifted us for such a calling.

Just as Jesus glorified the Father by completing the task He was sent to do (See John 17:4), so too must we see the glory of God in loving and caring for our parents all the way to the end of this earthly life.

In the state of Texas, in order to transact business with banks pertaining to my parent's accounts, we had to obtain a Legal Power of Attorney.

Medical decisions also required a Power of Attorney, however it is not the same as the one used by banks.

There is a In Hospital Power of Attorney and a Out of Hospital Power of Attorney. The first pertains to the responsibility of making health related choices while hospitalized.

Should you be fortunate enough to have your parents at home, the ability to make health choices requires a Out of Hospital Power of Attorney.

I strongly suggest you check the specific requirements of the state where you or your parents reside as this article is not intended to provide any measure of legal advice.

As disciples of the Son of God, our faith has been gifted as a means to see us through times just as these.

Preparation for Elder Care should not be for us an afterthought; it should be given forethought just as our Father gave to us.

Do not underestimate the importance of getting your house in order; the wellbeing of your mom and dad may depend upon it.

More than that, I encourage you not to take lightly the importance of holding fast to the power of faith in a Son who said He would never leave us alone.

He hasn't!