Best online bank accounts for person in very early stages of dementia

M25

Telephone banking or some basic banking can be done at the Post Office for most of the major banks.

The most important thing is it suits you too I think.

PrincessEssex

Hi, 

Thanks for these.

Just answering a few points and a couple of additional queries.

I already have P of A and am (legally?) able to access all his important info eg DR, phone, banking etc - however he likes to be able to regularly check his bank statement so not sure that he would be happy just being able to phone for a balance etc.

I'll have a look at Nationwide and Santander and see if there is a branch of either near to where he lives.

Remote access sounds like a good plan, though would would any of them work if he cant get past the initial log in page?

I am now at the stage where I get regular phone calls to say that 'the computer is broken' but unfortunately he is unable to put into words as to exactly what that means ie is it the initial log in, the internet, the banking app etc

Would I need to physically install any remote access programme or can I do some / any remotely?

Thanks

lr1277

My experience of VNC is as follows. Take it as you wish. I also have one advantage in that I don't live too far from my mum so if needs be I can always pop round.

The following setup is based on two Windows computers.

I think I installed RealVNC. At the time it was free for personal use. I had to be at mum's computer to do the installation. Googling suggests RealVNC is still free in certain forms, but I haven't explored further.

I installed VNC Server on her computer. Followed the directions. Don't remember any details. Remember to have a good password ready. Yes I had to be there do the installation.

Then I insalled VNC client on my computer. Then I had to set it up to connect to the VNC server using previously assigned username and password.

Then for using the software, mum has to turn her computer on. Then I connect to it using the VNC client from my computer. Sometimes I see webpages for Norton etc which are the first things to show when she starts up her computer. I close these and continue with whatever task.

I get those kinds of calls as well. As long as mum's computer is on and my VNC client can connect to her computer then I can help. Though you will have bigger problems if your client software can't connect your dad's computer.

The other thing to watch out for is their broadband/internet connection. Does your dad know about re-starting the broadband if there are problems?

I would also suggest (if possible) taking your computer to your dad's and setting them up one after another and so you can test it is working on-site (without the round-trip).

I also installed the VNC client on my tablet and mobile though I have never tried to connect from either of those devices.

Hope that helps.

Edited to add: my mum likes paper statements but banks are almost defaulting to statements on their website which you as the customer have to print. The printer is connected to the computer by wifi. Sometimes the printer 'forgets' the wifi password. So I have to go and re-enter it. If the printer isn't working and I can't get to mum's to re-enter the password, I save the statement as a PDF and then print the PDF's when the printer is working.

lr1277

Whilst you may have POA have you actually registered them with your dad's banks?

When I did this 4 years ago, it involved going to a branch and showing the branch staff the original POA document and my ID. I don't know if banks have streamlined the process since then.

sheramber

Eco_Miser said:

PrincessEssex said:

He is an intelligent man living on his own, but is starting to find the modern world a bit too much.

He currently has a Halifax account but is finding it increasingly difficult to enter the correct password (even though it appears to be saved??) and the letters from his memorable information.

He would not be able to cope with a mobile app, and has difficulty with understanding how to read any texts he has been sent.

I'm also an intelligent man living on my own, with a failing memory.

Of the various bank accounts I have, I find Halifax the easiest to log in to, much easier than Nationwide (find the reader, find the card, select use card reader on the website, enter the last four digits of the card number on the site, put the card in the reader, push the 'identify' button, enter the pin on the reader, press "OK", read the 8 digit number and enter it on the site, and click 'continue'). With Halifax, I can remember the nice long passphrase (it makes sense to me but is unlikely to be guessed or brute-forced, and I designed my 'memorable information' as a sequence of the initial letters of words that have a meaningful (to me) link to their position in the sequence (eg the seventh character might be 'm' for magnificent  seven, or it might be 'd' for deadly sins). I also use a password manager, so as long as i can remember that password, I can log on with just a few clicks, but I don't need it for Halifax.

If your father has difficulty reading texts, he is likely to have difficulty with a card reader too.

Accessible card readers

Our accessible card readers have larger screens, bigger buttons and audio. If this may be easier for you to use you can order one in branch or by calling us.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/help/online-banking-help/order-card-reader/