Would a temporary power of attorney for finances help protect your older family members while traveling?

It might.They may regularly spend time away from home, perhaps even out of the country. Or they may be planning a trip at a time when they know a specific financial matter is likely to need attention. If so, they could execute a power of attorney for finances -- either a general power of attorney or one limited to specific transactions -- to operate only during the time they're away. The power of attorney would expire on the date they're to return home, as specified in the document. As with any other type of power of attorney, they could revoke it -- meaning it would no longer be effective -- earlier, as long as they're still mentally competent.