Adult son is on State Disability, Not a Dependent, Can I deduct my travel and lodging as Health POA?

[sstace]

My adult son is a nursing home resident in another state after several malignant brain tumor surgeries.  All his medical expenses, lodging, transport to doctors, hospitals, and meals are paid by State Disability and Medicare. The nursing home will implement his Health Power of Attorney (POA) when he gets worse with confusion and cannot communicate.  As POA I will then fly out there, rent a car, get lodging in order to attend his neurological dr. appointments.  I will then visit the home to ensure all medical directives, course of new treatments, etc. are in place.  Am I misunderstanding IRS Pub 502 that I cannot deduct my travel and lodging expenses because he does not qualify as a dependent?  Is there another section I should be reviewing for clarification?

[MaryK4]

No, unfortunately, you cannot add your travel and lodging expenses because you do not claim your son as a dependent.  The Power of Attorney does not affect the tax deduction.