After my wife was diagnosed as having dementia by her gerontologist (based on a CT scan and the normal interview questions), I asked for a letter stating that she (my wife) was no longer capable of making financial or medical decisions in her own behalf. My wife and I had previously (about 10 years prior to her illness) completed mutual Power-of-Attorney agreements with the standard furability provision. So, armed with the doctor’s letter declaring incompetence and the POA, I can legally make financial and medical decisions for her.

furability = durability