Surgeon requires Alzheimer's sufferer's consent before he will carry out surgery?
an Alzheimers sufferer has to go to hospital unexpectantly and needs surgery. The surgeon requires that some one sign consent before the procedure can be carried out.
How does this work?
I guess if the patient has early AD and can still decide for himself/herself, then the patient should be able to sign. But when he/she has moderate or severe AD, someone like the family needs to sign it. The patient needs to appoint someone as his/her Power of attorney so the person can sign for the patient. I think if there is no POA, the relative can still sign the thing given a doctor's explanation that the patient had AD and cannot decide. But the POA is the best way to handle it. My husband is the POA for his Dad who has moderate/severe Alzheimer's.
Nina
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