- Remember, money represents independence. It is
very difficult to give this responsibility up willingly!
- If person has typically paid the bills, set a special
time to go over bills together or arrange a time to "check" them before
they are mailed.
- Get important legal documents, like POA, as soon after
the diagnosis as possible so the person has control in planning.
Arrange your POA at the same time so the person does not feel "singled
out".
- It may help to leave a written reminder for the
person, such as, "My son, John, takes care of my check book."
- Tell the person that you have arranged for a financial
planner to handle all check books in the family to remove that burden
from everyone.
- Arrange for a PO box and have mail sent there to avoid
confrontation when bills arrive or to screen for solicitation mail that
might become a problem (e.g., contests, donations).
- Arrange for "automatic payments" via bank to all
vendors to allow moneys to be automatically withdrawn from the person's
checking account each month.
- Avoid arguments at all costs!
- Assure that the person always has a small amount of
spending money.
- If the person insists on having checks, get checks
stamped as "voided" from the bank.
- Establish "tabs" with trusted, regular merchants so
that the person can still shop.
- Be prepared for accusations that you're "stealing"
from them.
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