I have a similar situation but maybe I'm not understanding the answer provided. You stated " It is possible to take a deduction for the medical expenses that you paid in 2016 for your brother, even though you are not claiming him as a dependent" but what I understand from the IRS publication 502 is the person "must be" a qualifying dependent.
In my case, I have an Adult son on State Disability living in a nursing home in another state. I have POA over his health and finances which the nursing home implements on occasion when he cannot make his own medical decisions. When he gets bad with confusion and cannot speak, I have to fly out there to attend his neurological visits, visit the home to ensure all medical directives (course of new treatments, etc.) are in place. Unless I am misunderstanding after reading Pub 502, I cannot deduct 'my' travel and lodging expenses because he does not qualify as a dependent as all his medical expenses, lodging, transport to doctors / hospitals, and meals are paid.
How would I qualify to deduct these expenses?
