The signer is my client.
As a mobile notary, I spend a lot of time in hospitals, nursing homes and private homes. Except for the rare call where someone needs a notary because they work at home or are otherwise unable to leave their home, most calls are because somebody is really ill and a relative or friend is attempting to locate a mobile notary. This client is not able to be travel to a notary.
I need to know two things when the appointment is scheduled. Does the signer have a valid, unexpired government issued photo ID and is the signer competent? There are additional steps to ID a signer but if a signer is not competent, there is no reason to proceed.
Even if the signer is “competent” extenuating circumstances may prevent them from being able to properly execute a document. The notary has to be able to ask questions and use responses to determine they know what they are signing and that they are doing so willingly.