Bank account options for someone with dementia

Meme-Meme

My mother is at the relatively early stages of dementia. We have enacted power of attorney for her, but we still want her to have as much freedom as possible. She is good with cashpoint machines and paying for things she buys in the shop with a credit or debit card. However she is regularly targeted to buy things over the phone that she doesn't need.

Is there a type of account where she can keep a card for personal use in shops, cafes and cashpoints, but is unable to use the card over the phone?

Many thanks in advance.

mwarby

I know Osper (a debit card for kids) has an option to disable online transactions (which is presumably all customer not present). This isn't a free account but maybe an option.

Revolut, more often used for spending abroad also has an option to turn off ecommerce

For cash withdrawals, you can get savings accounts with cash cards, which won't be debit cards

I'd think with all the above you'd need a full bank account to go with it, but this could perhaps be administered by you and the card not used

xylophone

Might it be best for her not to have access to her current accounts? You would keep the ATM cards and manage these as PA.

She could have a savings account with an ATM card that would enable her to draw cash to pay for everyday purchases in the shops.

You could credit it with a certain amount each week.

A cashcard saver might suit.

http://www.ybs.co.uk/savings/easy-access/index.html

mwarby

I can imagine though that the no phone\online transactions could be quite frustrating, especially if this is forgotten and she thinks\knows there's money there to spend. Going to a cash card and paying with cash only would avoid this

cheesetoast

Go Henry lets you block online and phone transactions also.

https://www.gohenry.co.uk/how-it-works/

"Set single and weekly spending limits
Decide where each card can be used: in shops, on-line or at cash machines
Block and unblock cards instantly, without a phone call
View how and where they spend in real time"

Keep_pedalling

Would it not just be easier to get her number changed to stop the marketing calls?

Or get something like this.

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/sensory-aids/telephone-accessories/truecall-care-nuisance-call-blocker-view-large?gclid=CIT397v1l9ACFUmeGwodnrwHNg

alanq

This recent thread covers the same issue.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5549106

bouncydog1

Nat West were very helpful in setting up accounts in the name of guardians for a relative for whom we have a guardianship. We have an automated transfer to pay money into an account with a cash card that she uses. Each week she goes to the bank and draws out the same amount of cash so she has independence, but her assets are protected. There is no overdraft facility on the account so in the event that she did try to pay for anything over the phone any loss would be small. We can manage the accounts online so if extra money is needed for christmas shopping for instance, we can transfer a little extra.

mwarby

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

Would it not just be easier to get her number changed to stop the marketing calls?

Or get something like this.

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/sensory-aids/telephone-accessories/truecall-care-nuisance-call-blocker-view-large?gclid=CIT397v1l9ACFUmeGwodnrwHNg

So this looks like it uses caller display and a whitelist (everything not on list is blocked). I can imagine this could be difficult for taking calls from say doctors or hospitals, as not all will display number and if they do could be many many numbers

Keep_pedalling

mwarby wrote: »

So this looks like it uses caller display and a whitelist (everything not on list is blocked). I can imagine this could be difficult for taking calls from say doctors or hospitals, as not all will display number and if they do could be many many numbers

Before my mum went into residential care I registered my numbers with her surgery and these were used for hospital contacts as well.