A survey of use of a durable power of attorney to admit geropsychiatric patients

Abstract

Medical directors from 198 inpatient psychiatric facilities in 46 states completed a survey on the use of a durable power of attorney for health care to compel admission of unwilling patients with dementia. About half the facilities had a policy allowing use of a power of attorney for this purpose. Thirty-four percent believed that it was optional to use either a durable power of attorney or an involuntary commitment to force admission of demented patients, whereas 47 percent believed that such patients could be admitted against their will only through involuntary commitment.