Free Elder Care Authorization

The Elder Care Authorization document is used to grant another person or an institution (a �caretaker�) temporary custody of an older adult who needs elder care. For example, if you are responsible for an elderly parent, you may wish to grant temporary custody to a trusted relative or friend for several days.

The Elder Care Authorization document allows you to specify powers regarding the administration of medications, obtaining medical treatment, and providing other basic needs. This document is not intended for use in more formal situations where the care will be provided by a skilled nursing facility or other institution that is licensed to provide elder care.

It is recommended that you provide the caretaker with emergency contact information. In many situations, the responsible person should be the first person to be contacted in an emergency. You should also provide an alternative emergency contact person to provide for the possibility that the first contact person cannot be reached.

It may be important to provide information regarding medications for the elderly adult who will be receiving the care. If the information regarding medications is extensive, you may wish to include the phrase �See attached medications information� where this program asks for the information regarding medications. You can then provide more detailed information on a separate written sheet that you prepare.

1. The Elder Care Authorization document should be signed, but is not necessary that the signature be witnessed or notarized.
   
2. The responsible person should provide the original copy of the Authorization to the caretaker and keep a copy for his/her records.

The Elder Care Authorization can be terminated by providing a specific date for termination or by leaving it open for the responsible person to decide. Generally, there is no requirement that the notification of termination be written. In fact, verbal notification is generally effective. If any third parties have been relying on the authorization (such as a medical provider), then such third party should also be given notice of the termination as appropriate.