Hi SarahL,
I just wanted to say a big thank you for sharing your situation and a big thank you to everyone who has replied to your post. It's been an education for me.
Like you, I have siblings but I have POA for my father who was diagnosed with mixed dementia 5 months ago. My Mam died 2 years ago. Fortunately for me, about 5 years ago I sat my parents down, gave them a good talking to and told them they were getting on and I didn't want to manage a crisis
Fair play to my folks. Despite being in total denial about old age they sorted out the POA but refused to inform my siblings. They were quite adamant about this and asked me not to say anything, so I didnt. At the time I had a feeling that this would not go down well, only I had no idea quite how awful it would be when they found out. When I look back, they never showed the slightest bit of interest in our parents affairs after Mam died. Only when our dad started showing signs of confusion did the questions start. When I told them that our parents had all of their affairs in order they were quite astonished
My eldest sibling told me that I was selfish and clearly had my eye on the money. (Our parents are not wealthy by any means). Eldest sibling nearly had a fit when on discovering that I had POA and wanted to know how I had obtained it! Second eldest sibling has accused me of all sorts too and screamed and shouted obscenities at me
I accept that this is the way it is and I have felt sick with anxiety at the sheer weight of POA responsibility. However, dad is well looked after in his own home at this time and I am spending his money and our inheritance making sure that he is well cared for 24/7. I have receipts for everything.
Stay strong and ignore your siblings. They can go and live with mine and they can all be happily horrid for ever
.