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She lives on her own and is okay driving herself as long as it’s her usual pattern: church, gym, grocery store. I am on her checking account and also a medical POA so I have access to monitoring her finances and can stay in the loop from her doctor visits. She writes lots and lots of checks to political and charity groups every month, totaling near $1000. She has a backup account and is drawing from it to support this check writing. I don’t live with her so I can’t monitor her outgoing mail. I’m at a loss what to do. Her testing diagnosis was not dementia as we thought. How do I put a stop to this without completely taking over guardianship, which is more than I can handle at this point?

JenJen24: You state in your profile that your mother, Darlene DOES suffer from Alzheimer's/dementia. Ergo, she should not be mishandling her finances, let alone operating a motor vehicle.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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You list this under ALZ and Dementia - This is what I did - I casually put my name on my daddys account, had all bills paperless, had all mail redirected to a new address - you can do this by using their cc via internet and when my daddy stopped seeing the requests for donations then the checks stopped going out. Also, get a hold of that check book and tell mom that now all bills are paid automatically. Also, most churches have an online tithing portal so that can be done too. After about two months my daddy forgot about paying bills he just knew he needed to get money out of the bank - so I would take him to the bank let him get money out but when the cashier asked if he wanted the receipt I would tell the cashier "only the checking account" because I had transferred his money to the savings account to pay the bills. He soon forgot the value of money he would give me hundreds of dollars for a meal. I would take the money and put it in the savings account. This way he felt like he was still in charge and helping himself. Remember we need to think outside the box and let them feel useful.
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MACinCT Jun 7, 2024
I think about forgetting money. Mom's 2 MCs would hand out Monopoly money when playing games which would be used to buy small items from the "store" which was usually stocked with donated trinkets from charities. She had a dresser drawer filled with play money. I found it quite comical when she offered to pay for me to stay for lunch. Quite ingenious!
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Contact the people she is sending money to and tell them to stop sending mail to your mother. Or maybe give them a change of address to your house. She gives, so they might want to stay in touch with her by sending mail to her 'new' address.

You might try talking with her and showing her how much of her income is going to other people when she may need the money for medical care if she gets really ill. She probably has no idea what the total amounts are that she gives away every month.

If she ever needs to go to a nursing home and lacks income to pay entire bill, she would have to apply for Medicaid. Medicaid will look back at money she has given away to anyone in the past (5 year look back in most states). Total of gifting creates penalty period where Medicaid pays nothing.
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Reply to my2cents
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I came across the article from the AARP magazine in Apr 2024 How To Stop Junk Mail | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov) about how to suppress mailings of marketing mails, that could be submitted by self or a caregiver.  DMchoice is run by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), which is the largest trade association in the US for marketing. The application to suppress marketing mail cost minimally ($5) is minimal and is good for 10 years (or permanently for those registered via a caregiver), but it does not apply to companies or organizations that you have purchased, subscribed or donated to within the past 2 years. Do Not Contact for Caretaker's Registration (ims-dm.com) 
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Reply to ThisIsIt
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Sign up for "Informed Delivery" for your mom's account. You will see every day what mail is coming. Go to the website for each charity that sends her mail, and ask to be removed from their mailing list.

You can also contact Direct Marketing Association and request removal that way.
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Reply to graygrammie
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JenJen24, what kind of cognitive and memory tests did they have your Mom take? I'm only asking because it doesn't seem her issue is memory or spatial, but rather reasoning and logic, and IDK which of the tests assess those skills, but others here do know. I'm mentioning this because elsewhere here you asked "Can negative diagnosis be wrong?" I think the next question to her doctor should be, "Was she given the right test for reasoning and logic skills?"
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Reply to Geaton777
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Political groups/candidates can be SUPER insistent, and they must share their mailing lists. A few years ago, I realized that I was getting bombarded with solicitations, some from organizations I'd never even heard of. I unsubscribed and stopped contributing to ALL candidates/causes to stop the flood of emails and letters. I hesitated to do that because there are a few that I would have liked to continue supporting, but I refuse to be deluged with unwanted solicitations. Bombardment must be a successful fund-raising strategy overall or they wouldn't continue doing it, but it certainly wasn't working for me.

I've unsubscribed from almost all charities, as well. I figure that the best thing I can do for those in need is try not to join them. If I don't make my Final Exit in the reasonably near future, I will need every penny to pay for my own long-term care.
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Reply to ElizabethAR37
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Have her mail forwarded to you. That's what I did.

It's really hard, please take care and I send good wishes your way.
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Isthisrealyreal Jun 2, 2024
Sadkid, it is illegal to just have someone's mail forwarded.

Much better to get an agreement from mom to help.

Mail is federal and the laws are serious, we should never go there, for our own protection.
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Sit down woth Mom & discuss banking & donating to charities.

Let Mom choose THREE charities.
Let Mom choose the ANNUAL amount for each.
Decide when this will be paid eg 1st of Jan or 1st July.

Look over her accounts together.
Consider having 3 accounts.
1. Weekly expenses
2. Once a year/bigger bills
3. Savings

Decide which one will be for weekly small bills. This is the one your Mom will be in control of.

Only feed this account with enough to cover each week's expenses. Mom can be independant with this account.

The other two, you will use TOGETHER as Mom's behaviour has shown she requires supervision with her finances.
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Reply to Beatty
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Anxietynacy Jun 1, 2024
That's an awesome idea beatty
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I took over my dad’s finances minus his knowledge or permission while he has hospitalized. He was of sound mind but also contributing to way too many charities, they buy each other’s mailing lists and seem to prey on the elderly. I had POA but never actually used it. As I was on his banking, I went to the branch he used, changed the accounts to online delivery of statements to my email. I forwarded all his mail to my home and changed all his bills to online delivery to me. I made a binder spelling out all his bills and when and how much they were paid each month. I wrote some of the charities a final check along with a threatening sounding note saying dad was a sick old man and they were to never contact him again, which surprisingly worked. When dad came home I expected an explosion as he was very proud of handling his own finances. I warned my siblings, and they were in agreement, said it should have happened sooner as we all knew it had gotten overwhelming to dad. Instead of the explosion, dad was relieved and very happy to see the binder and how everything was paid. In truth, I had no real power to do this, but it couldn’t have worked out better. Sometimes people are hesitant to admit they need or even will accept help, and when pushed a bit, they’ll surprise you with gratitude. And yes, I’m aware it could have gone another way
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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It certainly seems as if mom is NOT that okay living on her own. Nor would I assume that she’s okay driving because nothing guarantees that she’ll stay within that pattern.

I know two people whose families assumed they were fine to be driving. One ended up on interstates for a couple of days and had a minor accident with a curb, so the police called family in the middle of the night to come get him 80 miles away. The other drove around for a while, ending up 8 cities away from home. He stopped at a rest stop that was actually a condo guard shack and was caught peeing in it.

Start thinking ahead so you will be prepared for the next step.
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Reply to Fawnby
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How did you find out mom's testing diagnosis? Did you hear her score from the doctor or from mom?

Also, how is your name also on moms checking account if you do not hold financial POA? If your name is on that account, you should be able to close it out entirely or reduce the balance accordingly.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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Geaton777 Jun 1, 2024
LL, anyone can be joint on an account as long as it's consensual. I was joint on my Mom's way before I became her PoA. I can't even remember the reason why we did that. It started when she moved next door to me in 1997.

I recently learned that it's not always possible for only 1 of the 2 joint owners to close the account on their own. This certainly was true at WF here in MN. They wouldn't let me close an account I had with my adult son without both of us agreeing to it.

If the OP closes the account and moves it, the new account would have to be in only the OPs name and there's a risk this would appear as gifting... Reducing the money in the account is a strategy but if the Mom is in denial (or has memory issues) and continues to write checks then she'll rack up a hefty overdraft bill. My MIL had $900+ in overdraft fees by time we figured out her memory issues.

Taking her checkbooks away only resulted in her calling the bank and ordering more checks. We found boxes and boxes of new checks (each box had multiple boxes in them). This situation is actually a pretty tricky one if there's no FPoA and no diagnosis.
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Wow I can relate to that. Mom was giving charities over 2,000 a month until I stopped it because she is running out of money. After a while she stopped asking about it and I just hid all the mail that came asking for more donations.
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Reply to Rogerwyatt7890
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Perhaps persuade her to change to a new check account with a lower balance in it. I did this when I lost a card on an account with a $10,000 limit on it. My card is now linked to a debit card with $500 on it, and we top it up as necessary. DH also now carries around a debit card, and normally leaves the ‘large limit’ card at home. If you can do this with a check account, it will give her a limit over which the checks won’t be honored.

My debit card was arranged because I was careless, but another very good reason is because of scammers. There are so many scams that I am sure you can be convincing about the risks of a check account with large balance. This will justify the new account, and limit spending without arguing about a budget etc. If checks bounce, it will probably be easier to talk about the budget problem.

At the same time, see if you can change the 'back-up' account to something that is a bit harder to access. A fixed deposit account, perhaps, on a monthly term. If you can get her to agree to new arrangements, she won't be so used to dipping in without having to think too carefully. A confidential talk to the Bank Manager might be a good idea. Of course, M will have to authorise changes, but the Bank Manager can talk about what types of changes would help solve the problem.

Worth a try?
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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JenJen, welcome to Forum.
I am confused. You posted this under dementia. You put in your profile that you are caring for a mother who has dementia.
Yet you tell us above that "her testing diagnosis was not dementia as we thought".

Because the answer to your question is utterly dependent on your answer to the question above, the information is crucial.

Your mother is living alone independently, driving and having her own life. You say testing proves she has no dementia.
If this statement is true there is not a single thing in the world you can do to stop her from giving her money away whether she throws it away gambling, gives it ALL to her church or gives it away one check at a time.

If your mother DOES have dementia, then you currently can't do anything with a MPOA. You would need a financial POA and your burdens would be horrific, so watch what you wish for. You would have to take over your mother's accounts as the only signator as POA, give her a small spending account, take over payment and accounting on all bills, housing, activities, find her placement and get her care so that she is safe and secure and her finances protected. If she has not conferred POA (general and financial) upon you I caution you to watch what you hope to get because it is a dreadful burden to force a loved one into care they don't want.

Interestingly I have a friend late 70s who writes checks all month long and gives money away right and left. She has a child, an alcoholic from whom she is estranged. She has written a will that gives her home and the home she inherited to people who work for her. All perfectly legitimate and her choice.

Wish you good luck, but if your mom knows what she's doing she can do it. I wouldn't even ASK were I you. The money will be gone. The consequences to her will likely be dire should she ever need to pay for care to remain in home, independent, or have good living facilities. But there you are.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Rogerwyatt7890 May 31, 2024
My mom gave everything in her garage to the lawn maintenance guy that was ripping her off. He took it all even before her death. I had to talk to an elderly attorney about it. He has disappeared out of the scene now. She trusts everyone and does not even realize what she is doing.
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Don’t know the age of your mother, but maybe making her realistic budget with how much money she will potentially need for future care will give her some insight.
Unless she is super rich.
Anybody in late 60-70 can expect to live another 20 years or so with costs increasing of ALs to 7-10 thousands per month having 1 million is not that much today.
Also, find names of charities she supports and if they are even are good ones which often does not matter if there is not enough money.
Most people support one or two with small contributions.
My husband and I when we were working and strongly believed in educating girls in disadvantaged countries supported education for two girls in Haiti and Chile. I am proud to say we helped one to become a doctor.
And sometimes we gave to Doctors Without Borders as we felt they do important work. Many charities I would not support as they spent 95% on admin and only 5% on good causes.
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Reply to Evamar
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You have no power if you are not her FPoA and she doesn't have a medical diagnosis of incapacity or impairment. She doesn't seem to be a candidate for guardianship (because you'd have to prove she's incapacitated in court and she already has a test allegedly proving she isn't).

I don't blame you for being alarmed at this. It is definitely a likely sign of early cognitive problems. My MIL and Aunt both did the same thing and if you read on this forum you'll see it's a very common early symptom.

I have to ask: were you in the room with her when she was tested? Are you privy to the test results in her portal? Or are you getting the test result info from her only?

There are other cognitive tests that can be done, but through a neurologist.

You can consider vetting her incoming mail by having it go to a PO Box that you control, then will need to deliver to her after you've gone through it (I have done this, but it's a pain). You can tell her it's because of "postal theft" in the neighborhood.
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Reply to Geaton777
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XenaJada May 31, 2024
My mom does this too. We’ve managed to get her to stop most of it.
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Could you 'lose' her check book? We regularly have posters who need to help 'lose' car keys, and this is probably in the same category.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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JenJen24 Jun 2, 2024
I’ve thought about that but short of having all her mail come to me she’d order new checks.
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