If you are caring for the parent. If you are responsible for all the care, the medical decisions then just for simplicity you should have POA. I would not agree to be the primary caregiver if I was not POA or Guardian. BUT often by the time a parent NEEDS to be taken care of they are often not able to designate anyone POA. POA is usually done when parent(s) are of sound mind and little thought is given to who will be the caregiver is one is needed.
It is a bad idea for anyone to take on the responsibility of "taking care of the parent" without having the authority to do so, which comes with having POA both medical and financial. Doesn't matter where you live.
Remember that caregiving is difficult and only gets more difficult as the needs of the parent increase.
No one "gets" POA. POA is given. In this case by your parent to the child he or she chooses. If the parent chooses to give POA to another child then I think you are BLESSEDLY free to step away and let that other child handle all it means to be POA. It is a hard job with legal Fiduciary responsibilities. As someone who served as POA and Trustee for my brother I can tell you to count yourself lucky someone ELSE is appointed, and step away from the whole mess.
I'm pretty sure it's the same all over the country in that if the parent is competent, it is up to the parent to designate a DPoA. They can appoint anyone who is willing to accept the assignment including their attorney.
If you are responsible for all the care, the medical decisions then just for simplicity you should have POA.
I would not agree to be the primary caregiver if I was not POA or Guardian.
BUT often by the time a parent NEEDS to be taken care of they are often not able to designate anyone POA. POA is usually done when parent(s) are of sound mind and little thought is given to who will be the caregiver is one is needed.
Remember that caregiving is difficult and only gets more difficult as the needs of the parent increase.
If your parent requests that you be their caregiver, I would not agree unless I was also granted Power of Attorney.
Otherwise, you are always at the mercy of the POA who may not realize that supplies, transportation and respite are necessary.
It is up to the individual to decide who the designated POA is.
POA is given. In this case by your parent to the child he or she chooses.
If the parent chooses to give POA to another child then I think you are BLESSEDLY free to step away and let that other child handle all it means to be POA. It is a hard job with legal Fiduciary responsibilities. As someone who served as POA and Trustee for my brother I can tell you to count yourself lucky someone ELSE is appointed, and step away from the whole mess.