What You Need to Know About Power of Attorney In a nutshell, a power of attorney for elderly parents is a means of lightening their load and anxiety. It can also help you feel less anxious about their vulnerability. However, given that we all understandably want to fervently guard our independence, knowing when you should be setting up power of attorney can be a difficult decision. This is a comprehensive guide to organising a power of attorney for an elderly parent, including the different types and how to do it.