My mother assigned me general power of attorney years ago. We live in the same state. I filed the POA in the county I reside in. She terminated the POA in the county she resides in. Afterwards, she assigned me medical power of attorney only. My mother has age related dementia. She lives on her own and calls me when things go badly at the bank, IRS etc... I was estranged from her for over 8 years due to distant meddling relatives in other states. I am her sole surviving child so I am the only one left for her to call upon. When I bring the subject of POA up, my mother gets very agitated and combative. I am confused as to if I have medical and/or general power of attorney. Thank you for feedback. I am at my wits end.
If she terminated POA, then it is now too late for her to confer one on anyone due to her dementia.
Should she be hospitalized, if you are next of kin, you may receive calls from Social Workers asking for you to help make decisions. But you have really no legal rights at this time to make decisions. The authorities in the State will assign a fiduciary through the courts should she need placement. As for all intents and purposes you are estranged from her, and as she is quite impossible to deal with, I would just let things evolve. Eventually someone who lives in her area may become concerned, a neighbor or friend, and call APS. You can also call them and ask them to make a wellness check in your area should you wish to. As to what you can do when things "go badly with banks" in her area, I truly cannot imagine. Again, if you are worried, call APS. But if you propose to become her guardian understand the difficulties you will be taking on in what is essential a very trouble and confused stranger.
Of course if you wish to get more up close and personal on all this, you can make a trip to your Mother and see if anything can be done, and assess the situation as it stands when you are there. I am assuming there are no other family members in that area she is in contact with.
Once you figure out what if any responsibilities you have toward your mother in the present, you will have a better perspective on how to address your mother’s needs and present status cognitively, and plan how to move forward.