Today my mum's carer phoned to say she found Mum on the phone, just about to give all her bank details to somebody at the other end.
There's nothing she needed to pay (all her bills are done by DD) so it's obviously a scam.
I'm terrified the person will ring back, try again and succeed in cleaning out her bank account. Both the carer and myself have tried to drum into Mum that you must never do this, that these people on the phone may seem very nice but they are thieves. 'Oh, of course I won't,' she says, but I know from experience that warnings don't stick in her mind very long.
She was re-assessed last Thursday and scored 26 out of 30, the same as last time they assessed her. She's deteriorating in so many ways and is vulnerable, but she can draw two overlocking pentangles and name the county she lives in, so that's all right, then! There's a really good dementia unit near me but I can't move her there as she is deemed to have capacity. The test doesn't address any of the real problems! She can't eat, wash, walk any distance or look after her money without help, and she thinks dogs are cats and that dead people are still alive, but still she passes. Am banging my head on the wall with frustration.
As well as an MMSE a mental capacity assessment should follow the examples below....
Potential questions to explore in any assessment of capacity to manage financial affairs include:
Person’s income & capital
Can you tell us how much money or income you have coming in every month / week?
Can you tell us what this is composed of – e.g. benefits, pensions, income from savings
Do you have any savings
Have you had any help (e.g. from a FABA) in accessing all the benefits you may be entitled to
Would you like me to organise some support to ensure / check you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to.
Financial needs & responsibilities
Can you tell us approximately how much your bills – such as rent / mortgage? payments, utilities bills (– electricity, phone, water etc) – come to every month / week & how much this leaves you for other expenses?
Can you tell us how you pay these bills – e.g. through standing orders or by cheque. Some service users may have re-chargeable keys for electricity etc.
Can you tell us where you keep copies of bills and bank statements etc.
Can you tell us roughly how much money you have left to spend after you’ve paid all your bills every month / week?
Potential changes in circumstances
Can you tell me why you see the Dr / Nurse / SW?
Can you tell me why you attend the clinic / day hospital / are in hospital?
Do you think your situation / circumstances will improve / get worse in the future?
Do you think you might need more help to manage your money in the future?
Management of monies at the moment / present time:
Does any one provide you with any help to manage your monies
Are you happy about that arrangement
Are you happy / confident about how ***** (e.g. your son) is managing your money
Do you have to give ***** any money for looking after your finances (this might be asked if you were aware that the person managing their finances was charging or taking a fee; this would occur if the service user’s finances were being managed b y a professional – e.g. solicitor)
If service user wishes to consider appointing someone to hold LPA:
Have you appointed anyone (prior to Oct 07) to hold Enduring Power of Attorney?
Have you appointed anyone (since Oct 07) to hold Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to manage your Property & Finances?
Does ***** (that person) also hold LPA (Personal Welfare) so that they must be consulted in the future about decisions about your health & welfare?
Would you like someone to help you manage your money?
What could be the advantages and disadvantages of asking ***** to look after and manage your money / finances?
Is there anyone in your family or a good friend you trust who might be willing to help you manage your money?
If your health deteriorates in the future who would you want to help you look after your money?
Who would you like to help you manage your money / bills?
Why would you like **** to manage your money / bills?
Do you think they manage their own money well?
Would you like information or support so that you can appoint **** to hold LPA (PA) or LPA (PW)?
Service user already has someone managing their monies
I understand **** helps you to look after your money and pays your bills for you
Is there any agreement about how this happens – do they hold LPA, EPA, Ordinary PoA, and Appointee?
You have said **** holds EPA. Is this registered?
Do you have any worries or concerns about this?
Do you get any spending money or pocket money every week?
How much do you get?
Are you happy about how much you get, do you think this is about the right amount?
What do you spend that money on – are there things you need to buy every week (such as toiletries, cigarettes etc)?
If you want any extra money (to buy something special or a present) is it easy to get this money / how do you get this money?
"It should determine if a service user has the ability to make decisions about how their money is spent and safeguarded or whether options regarding the management of their affairs should be explored in the service user’s best interests"