Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Elderly parents
Original poster

Bank card recommendations for elderly dementia

34 replies

Stumblingsideways · 19/10/2023 05:51

Does anyone have recommendations on bank card appropriate for early dementia relative. Dad has bank card to an account to which I control how much cash is in, he likes to pop to shops and buy things and uses it to withdraw cash to play cleaner etc.
However he gave his card to a fraudster this week who convinced him they were from the bank and they used it to withdraw £500, he must have told them pin as well.

Is there a better option out there for us? Perhaps it's just keeping the account balance lower.

I think I can convince my sister to drop cash round every week (she lives nearby, I don't). So we could possibly get by with a card only.

My kids have Go Henry cards but they look as though they are for under 18s.

OP posts:
bruffin · 19/10/2023 07:18

Stumblingsideways · 19/10/2023 06:54

Yes I think something like revolut is what I was thinking about.
he's probably on some target list now for the fraudsters so I expect they'll try again.

I use a monzo card which i keep small amounts on and use for lunch etc. That would work as it would be easy for you to top up

Spencer0220 · 19/10/2023 07:08

I was thinking about some sort of prepay card. So even if he has given it away, it's useless once empty.

I'm assuming he's past the point of being able to write a cheque for the cleaner?

If your sister for any reason couldn't drop cash, could you perhaps pay online? So DF doesn't need a card at all?

CeeceeBloomingdale · 19/10/2023 06:59

DH and I have starling current accounts as second accounts. We originally hit them for travel but if DH is going out drinking for example he will top up a nominal amount into that account and use the debit card knowing if he leaves his card in the pizza shop again there is only the amount he loaded at risk. Essentially any second bank account would do but I like the fact we can control everything on the app, stop the card if it's misplaced etc. with Starling.

Original poster
Stumblingsideways · 19/10/2023 06:54

Yes I think something like revolut is what I was thinking about.
he's probably on some target list now for the fraudsters so I expect they'll try again.

OP posts:
LuisVitton · 19/10/2023 06:28

Could he be given a post office card and told it can only be used in the post office to get cash out. (perhaps that is the case I don't know)

PermanentTemporary · 19/10/2023 06:04

I think they're generally called prepaid cards.

PermanentTemporary · 19/10/2023 06:03

I think if he's reached the point of being defrauded and telling people the pin, I would move to cash only.

I guess an alternative would be a card that you load with a limited amount of money - something like Revolut?

Kissmycousinkate · 19/10/2023 05:56

Can't you have a card with minimum balance which you top up online?

Original poster
Stumblingsideways · 19/10/2023 05:53

My late aunt used to give her card away and it was dreadful outgoing drama. The bank finally stopped her having a card, it was a massive pain as she loves so far away. So I'm sure there's a solution I've not thought about.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread