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Mom has dementia.

Yes.
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Reply to Rosered6
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Unfortunately, yes they can. In addition, the institutions associated with the holder of POA such as a bank, medical staff or other workers would not be at liberty to release such information.


Sadly, it can leave out loving and caring family members. It can also leave you wondering if they have something nefarious to hide.


I believe the only way around it is to hire a lawyer and seek advice. I also believe most actions they may take involve a lot of time, so be prepared.
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Reply to AppleBlossom
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Not just can, but should. The examples you gave are mom's private business and just because she has to share with POA to get the help she needs doesn't mean everyone gets to know.
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Reply to Slartibartfast
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Yes, they have confidentiality obligations.
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Reply to MG8522
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Yes.
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Reply to JustAnon
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First, do you know for sure that the person is actually the PoA? In many states the PoA is not required to prove they are the PoA by producing the paperwork. It usually requires a letter from an elder law attorney threatening to make them show it to a judge. But this is DEFCON 2 territory so you'd need a very very good reason to take it this far. And also because you'll be paying the attorney whether it is fruitful or not.

Social services (and court-assigned legal guardians) won't show family members this info either, no matter how they're related to the elder. When my SFIL became a ward his guardian immediately changed all the access to his accounts that I'd been managing, without any warning. Not that I cared -- I was glad to be done with that responsibility. Their job is to protect their ward, including their privacy. This is the same for the PoA.
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Reply to Geaton777
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