Location: Kansas
My grandmother was placed in a nursing home in a small town in Kansas back in May. This was done per her wishes because my grandfather who has dementia was no longer able to help care for her throughout the day. my grandmother suffers from severe mental health issues that are well documented and has for well over 40 years. My mother has had medical power of attorney since 2018. My mother failed to provide the power of attorney to the nursing home when my grandmother was initially moved there, but after recent frustrations with not being informed as to my grandmother‘s medical care while in the facility, my mother asked if she could bring the power of attorney to the facility and the facility is refusing the power of attorney stating that per their evaluation, my grandmother was found competent to make her own decisions.
My grandmother suffers from bipolar, and when she’s manic can become extremely paranoid and impulsive she is currently in this state now, and in recent conversations with my mother is stating she never wanted to be in the nursing home and that she never agreed to be there, which is not true Because we were trying to wait to place her there until after their house sold for them to be able to afford the care at the nursing home, but in May, my grandmother was persistent that it was necessary for her to go so we found the means to be able to place her in the nursing home. I believe my grandmother is making these statements to the workers at the facility, which is potentially raising concern for them of potential abuse by my family and that’s why they are refusing to accept the power of attorney. She also can not see well enough to read any documents the nursing home would provide.
I’m greatly concerned that the facility will allow my grandmother to make decisions for herself and my grandfather who is also in the same facility While she is in a manic state that could potentially be harmful to both of them and their long term needs.
Can the nursing home outright refuse the power of attorney just based off a single competency evaluation despite her mental health issues and the fact that the power of attorney has been in place for seven years?