I posted this in Elderly Parents section but not had many replies, so here goes.
My 82 year old mum (widow) was assessed as having Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) back last autumn. She was referred after general decline including various falls and a notable head injury, increased confusion, difficulties managing her various medications and mild incontinence. A head scan after a major fall showed small vessel changes in the brain. The memory clinic assessment was an NHS one, various tests with a nurse initially and a few months after, a follow up with a psychiatrist. Psychiatrist diagnosed MCI and not dementia and said they'd see mum again in a year. They said MCI is often not not always a precursor to dementia.
The falls have continued and carers are visiting mum daily. She attends day centres a few times a week too. Sometimes she's very 'with it's and other times she's very much not. Mum has talked about moving up and assisted living set up or care home at some point but her views on this change day to day. Due to a combo of mum's cognitive and hearing issues, I've registered her financial enduring power of attorney with her bank to be able to help her manage her money. I've not registered the power of attorney with the office of the public guardian (OPG) as Mum still has some capacity albeit I'm unsure how much and when I should register it with the OPG. I know she'll lose the ability to deal with her affairs if I register it with the OPG.
Since registering it with the bank I've discovered that two cheques each for £1000 have been paid out in the past couple of months. I checked with the bank who told me one was paid to someone I know is the leader of mum's church who is dealing with serious illness at the moment. It's been given in a personal capacity rather than a donation to the church (it's a small, independent church). The other was paid to someone I've discovered is the son of one of mum's friend - the son is getting married soon - a very generous wedding gift. Mum is not wealthy and a sign of that is that she gets Pension Credit. And she is likely facing care home costs in future, in addition to paying towards the care she's currently receiving.
What would you do? Mum hasn't told me about these payments. I've only seen them due to having access to the bank account. I feel it's not acceptable for these people to take these sums of money from an elderly person with known cognitive issues. I've no issue with Mum giving an appropriate wedding gift or a token to help an unwell friend but the amounts seem over the top and ill-judged. Would you ask for the money back and / or report this somewhere? One recipient is a person in a trusted position.