Protection for elderly mother

Saratoga241

Skibunny40 I live approx 4 miles away from my mum and I see her about twice in the week and I bring her to us at the weekends. I don't drive, so I don't tend to be able to just drop in on her and check on her all the time, which I would like to. I've called social services and logged a safeguarding issue. I am hoping that they will be able to do something to help.

Saratoga241

I think the person has to agree to power of attorney for it to be passed. My mum had originally agreed to go into sheltered accommodation before she was persuaded otherwise by the neighbour. Obviously, she wouldn't have access to my mum if she were to move out.

Skibunny40

I think the dementia means the requirement for the person to agree to POA is over-ridden - that's the difference between court appointed and doing it yourself but I could be wrong.

elsien

Saratoga241 wrote: »

I think the person has to agree to power of attorney for it to be passed. My mum had originally agreed to go into sheltered accommodation before she was persuaded otherwise by the neighbour. Obviously, she wouldn't have access to my mum if she were to move out.

They do, but if mum can be shown to lack financial capacity then a deputyship can be applied for through the court of protection. It's not a quick process though. Social services should be able to help with capacity assessments if there is a concern.
It really all depends on mums capacity though. Can you go back to the bank and make a complaint to get someone to take you seriously if you feel mum can no longer make her own financial decisions?

BrassicWoman

lack of capacity is fluid, so whether a court will appoint a POA depends on severity and consistency.

If she is generally lucid - which I guess she is if she can live alone? - then she is allowed to make terrible decisions about her cash.

It can take months to get a POA agreed if mum didn't make one already.

I would move her in with you until it's sorted.

swingaloo

If you have access to your mums bank account could you not take her card 'for safe keeping' or change the pin number. Could you not arrange to take your mum shopping yourself so you know she has everything she needs and leave her with a minimum amount of cash at home.

If it was my mum I think i would move in for a while even if I had to sleep on the couch you to discourage the neighbor.

Hectors_House

Saratoga241 wrote: »

I know Mojisola, but I keep coming up against brick walls. I thought the bank or the police would at least be able to help in some way. It's amazing what people can get away with where vulnerable people are concerned.

This is awful.

In your shoes I’d be tempted to get the PIN number on her account changed to one that only you know.

Saratoga241

Swingaloo, ideally I would like to move in with her but I have a young daughter who goes to school in a different area and no other support to help with the logistical of that.

BrassicWoman

If she is sometimes lucid would she do a POA now?

elsien

BrassicWoman wrote: »

lack of capacity is fluid, so whether a court will appoint a POA depends on severity and consistency.

If she is generally lucid - which I guess she is if she can live alone? - then she is allowed to make terrible decisions about her cash.

It can take months to get a POA agreed if mum didn't make one already.

I would move her in with you until it's sorted.

Capacity is time and decision specific. It is possible that mum may have capacity in some areas but not others. Day to day spending vs the bigger financial picture, for example.

You can't just move someone in with you against their will, even if the other logistics are in place. All mum has to do is say no - for the same reason as you've already quoted. If she has capacity around where she lives she can make an unwise decision. If she doesn't, there is a best interests process to follow. And moving someone against their will is also the end of a long line when all else has failed.

Would mum agree to shifting the bulk of her money to an account that's harder to access, and leave the one with the card with limited money in it?
Does she have a large income, or is it her savings that are vanishing?
Who is involved with her for her memory? GP, memory clinic? Just wondering if there are any other professionals you could get involved to look at working out what's going on. They may not be able to discuss with you directly but that doesn't stop you writing to them about your concerns.
How is mum managing otherwise? Does she need any other help yet?
Would she agree to a care act assessment to see if there's any help she can get eg shopping service which would cut out the need for the neighbour to be involved.