I am an only child, am unmarried and have no family of my own. I have several cousins with whom I am not close and who would not assume responsibility for mom's care. In short, I have no one to name as a secondary attorney in fact.
Despite her age mom is in otherwise in generally good health. She has no serious medical conditions that complicate her situation. Her disease is progressing slowly. She could live for a number of years. What, if anything, can I do to ensure that mom is properly cared for in the event of my untimely death or disability? I am 63 years old and am in good health. Chances are that I will outlive her but who knows what the future holds?
For your Mom, she could do trust with you as successor trustee and a professional trustee as 2nd successor trustee.
Ask about a special needs trust - like what is established for disabled children or disabled adults not capable of taking care of themselves.
It would only take effect if something happened to you. And Mom would be protected as successor trustee can only act on the conditions set forth in trust.
Personally,I think it is better to have a licensed, bonded professional than family you hardly know.
My husband is quit a bit older than me, but you never know what could happen.
His family would put him in 1st available nursing home. My Mom is 96 - so no help there. I don't know rest of her family and they are back East.