Elderly relative

Hopalong1

Mojisola wrote: »

And sending that letter to the FA asking for a breakdown of all his investments!

Hello Mojisola


Thanks yes, finally requested that at last!

Errata

I hope the FA provides the information in a timely and professional manner. I think it may be useful if you give a bit more thought to this

FA didn't seem keen on us getting POA,

A POA has two parts: financial, and health and welfare. I think an FA is acting at best unprofessionally, at worst fraudulently if they give any indication of the appropriateness of a POA. The health and welfare of their client is outside the professional financial work they are charging a client for.

Hopalong1

iaps wrote: »

Hopalong1
Does it mean that FA is a representative of that principal company?
Does it mean that FA should not hold himself as acting independently for his business?
Does it mean he should refer to his principal firm in letters to retail clients that are sent with a view to, or in connection with?

In that case a letter from your relative with request for an updated review of his account should be sent to that principal company, not to the FA ?

FA is not a party in this commercial relationship. As no one may act on behalf of your relative without registered POA.

Please don't rely on the opinions of social services' employees with regard to financial matters of the person who has full capacity to make decisions. Please search for financial advisors' obligatory code of conduct.

Best wishes.

Hello iaps


I think you are correct in all 3 of your questions - that he represents his company, is not wholly independent and an enquiry should be to the firm.


But I did address the enquiry to FA, as he has been acting as a friend for our relative, and our relative has entrusted him with all paperwork.


Perhaps an error on my part, I was assuming I should go to the person with the records, not the firm directly.


I appreciate the point of POA. Strictly speaking, FA should only send details to our relative, respecting confidentiality.


However, our relative is asking us to act as his POA effectively, by giving permission to open his post and pay his bills, organise quotes and pay the invoices for his renovations, etc. so it's a grey area.


In theory, the FA could send details to our relatives home address and realise that our informal agreement with relative means we could take envelopes unopened for him to open at the residential home. Then we could go through the financial form with him, so he can get the percentage of home fees sorted for his means test.


I would be worried if this information was sent to the residential home, as our relative doesn't like us to leave any paperwork there, understandably, and always asks us to look after it and take it back after he's read through the various bills etc.


It makes it more long-winded, but, it does feel right to us to keep him informed, fully involved, and making his own decisions.


Have to investigate the code of practice, understandably, not our expertise.... : )


I do appreciate that the FA may simply be acting in our relatives best interest, after all, it isn't really our business. I wish I wasn't a born worrier, I may get ulcers at this rate!

Hopalong1

Hello all


Just an update.


Double glazing done, including bricking up large picture window, rendering outside and plastering inside.


We've painted the render outside today.


2 jobs ticked off.


GCH company coming soon, so, a breather now before the chaos all kicks off again.


Saw our elderly relative and he is doing well, thank God, chest infection seems to have gone although he's still taking anti-biotic course, still eating well and really enjoying the food.


He is talking about how much he enjoyed the sing-a-long session they had, how the home has the best reputation in the area, and won awards for their home cooked food.


Not sure if he is hinting he likes it more now. I just said how much he will miss the company, entertainment and being looked after, but didn't press him about it.


Went through all the paperwork:


Quotes & leaflets we've had so far for other jobs.


Utility bills paid, so he is now up to date for this year (one utility texted him a thank you for paying, so he already knew about that one).


Help aid equipment list & things received so far.


Age UK leaflets (thank you the helpful person there - lots of advice and info for him to read through)


List we've kept to show him running totals of what he had in account, what's been spent, and what is due to be spent next, so he knows exactly where he is financially.


Also updated him on the search for the right height armchair (needs one with sturdy wooden frame and would prefer wingback to ease himself out of)


Discussed other needs, e.g. ramp at front and back doors, etc.


Has agreed to new curtains as they are rotten, accidentally put my finger through one, yeuk, as light bulb had gone and needed light for a tradesman to see his tape measure!


Forgot to mention carpets - his old ones have rotted away to barely being there. He really needs thick insulating underlay, thick carpet, both for insulation and cushioning in case of any future falls in the home...


Also told him about a list of reliable tradesmen vetted by Age UK, and how we were impressed with the ones we have seen so far.


Thankfully, the double glazers were also on the list, as decent, reputable company, and they have been great.


Didn't forget his favourite sweets and newspaper, also, checked to see if he needed more toiletries, or anything else - he does need a new battery for his watch so we have that here to do next week.


Phew! Now awaiting social services visit.......


Edit: also, took photo's of all the new windows and doors, showed him how they looked and he is thrilled. Must remember to do the same again to show him painted render.

Mojisola

Hopalong1 wrote: »

Also updated him on the search for the right height armchair (needs one with sturdy wooden frame and would prefer wingback to ease himself out of)

Forgot to mention carpets - his old ones have rotted away to barely being there. He really needs thick insulating underlay, thick carpet, both for insulation and cushioning in case of any future falls in the home...

Just a couple of points from my experience - if you find the chair that's most comfortable isn't high enough, have a look at the variety of chair raisers available. The OT should give advice on what's best for him.

When my parents were having their carpets replaced, the OP advised against the thickest underlay because it can be more difficult to use mobility aids on the softer surface. (I'm never sure whether one individual's advice is the 'bible' or whether it's a 'bee in their bonnet' thing so it would be interesting to hear more opinions on that.)

Hopalong1

Mojisola wrote: »

Just a couple of points from my experience - if you find the chair that's most comfortable isn't high enough, have a look at the variety of chair raisers available. The OT should give advice on what's best for him.

When my parents were having their carpets replaced, the OP advised against the thickest underlay because it can be more difficult to use mobility aids on the softer surface. (I'm never sure whether one individual's advice is the 'bible' or whether it's a 'bee in their bonnet' thing so it would be interesting to hear more opinions on that.)

Hello Mojisola


Thanks for that, good points to think about.


Social services sent out a handyman, who screwed legs to his old armchair to raise it to the correct height, but it has no back support & is quite deep to sit in. It's so old, the foam is gone, so when the handyman they sent sat in it to test it he sank too far down... : (


Think definitely a firmer one with proper back support and strong wooden arms is better so he can lift himself out of it.


Didn't realise that about the carpet though... Shame as it would be an extra layer in the home to keep him warm.

margaretclare

HSL specialise in making chairs to fit. You need one with firm arms so that he can use his hands to push himself up. As the physios say 'Nose over toes...'

http://www.hslchairs.com/

You need to measure back of leg, from floor to back of knee.

Mojisola

Hopalong1 wrote: »

Think definitely a firmer one with proper back support and strong wooden arms is better so he can lift himself out of it.

Didn't realise that about the carpet though... Shame as it would be an extra layer in the home to keep him warm.

Having higher chairs with good arms made the world of difference to Mum in particular - she couldn't get over just being able to stand up in one go instead of struggling to extricate herself from their old, lower and saggy furniture!

I would ask around about the underlay and see if others agree with the OT we had.

securityguy

Hopalong1 wrote: »

Hello iaps


I think you are correct in all 3 of your questions - that he represents his company, is not wholly independent and an enquiry should be to the firm.


But I did address the enquiry to FA, as he has been acting as a friend for our relative, and our relative has entrusted him with all paperwork.!

But surely, the worry at the back of your mind is that the FA has been taking the money, saying "yes, I've put it in these shares" but in fact spending it on fast living. In which case, it's the records held by the FA's company that matter; asking the FA just allows him to prolong the fraud by providing fake records, if that is what is going on.

You need an absolutely cast-iron statement of your relative's financial position. Social services have no standing to say things like "it should be savings accounts at his age"; partly because shares are extremely liquid and can be sold at any time, and partly because it's none of their business so long as the bills are paid. Of course, having to liquidate shares at short notice may lead to getting a poor price, but someone aged 81 shouldn't be in volatile shares anyway.

If you're being sceptical about the FA, you don't want to just ask about the current holdings, you want a full accounting, including dealing within his assets. If it turns out that your relative handed over 100k but now has a 20k portfolio, it's of little comfort to just have a record of the 20k portfolio.

Slinky

margaretclare wrote: »

HSL specialise in making chairs to fit. You need one with firm arms so that he can use his hands to push himself up. As the physios say 'Nose over toes...'

http://www.hslchairs.com/

You need to measure back of leg, from floor to back of knee.

A second recommendation for HSL. My MIL wanted a new chair and selected one from an advert. However we decided it would be worthwhile her going and trying them out before buying and we were glad we took her as being very petite the chair she had originally chosen would have been too high for her. She was able to try out lots in their showroom and find the right one to best suit her.