I believe my Dad and Uncle are abusing their positions as Power of Attorney over my Grandma - What can I do?

[willthisdo]

My Dad and uncle have Power of Attorney for my Grandma who has advanced dementia and lives with full care in a nursing home.

Numerous things recently have led me to believe that certainly my uncle and possibly my Dad too are abusing this position to gain financially.

It really upsets me that a much loved grandma is having her wishes trampled on by those who should be her nearest and dearest and I certainly don't believe that they are acting in her best interests.

What can I do? My sister and I reported our suspitions to the office of the public guardian in July but all we have recieved is a letter saying that there is a huge backlog and they haven't even had chance to read our letter yet!

What would be the next step? A solicitor? Anyone been through anything like this? What can I expect from such a process?

Any advice gratefully recieved

No-one?

Am off out to playgroup but would love some advice if anyone knows anything about this.

I know nothing but didn't want to leave you unanswered. I would ask the advice of a solicitor in the first instance. HTH

You can complain to the cofp but there is really nothing you can do to stop it as they need to investigate & it takes months.

One thing that shocked me was that there is no need for them to keep a record of what they're spending.

In our case - We were told that our relative had chosen this person and that this was her wish so our concerns about her money being spent, house sold .... were not reasonable. We were treated as though we were in the wrong (even though we have no access to our family money and were just bringing our concerns to the relevant authorities) and it was even questioned if our relatives house had been sold - as though we had made this up!!!! Our relative is having her cash spent and her things are gone. We have nothing from our relative even though we are the only blood family - everything has been taken by other extended family members. We even called the police but there is nothing that can be done as it's an extended poa.

Hope you can get this sorted.

contact elder abuse www.elderabuse.org.uk/What%20is%20abuse/what_is_abuse%20define.htm

Just to add that her house & things were sold as there was no more cash left - despite our relative living in a care home that is paid for because of her needs. The extended family that have the poa spend very little on her & we get her lovely things and also basic items that she needs from our own money. Once the care home asked for us to pay for her dental treatment, hearing aid and glasses (that she was without as the people with poa wouldn't pay) & this being something that should be paid from the people that have the poa. Once the holders of the poa heard that we would pay & would complain they paid up. Dreadful situation

I think you are certainly on the right track with the office of the public guardian. Have you checked their website?

here if you need it

There is a phone number for a helpline, and reference to a Code of Practice. there is also a statement of values which includes a commitment to being 'accessible' - well they aren't if they can't even read their post in good time.

I think in your shoes I would get back to the Public Guardian office and go in strong. Send another letter and copy it to the Chair of the Public Guardian Board, who is named on the website - Rosie Varley OBE. The PG Board is supposed to oversee what the PG Office is doing. State that they are in blatant breach of the Code of Conduct and their statement of values.

the PG can appoint a Deputy to check what is happening with the POA

I think the Solicitor who prepared it has been a bit a-miss. Where I work only one family member is the Attorney with a Partner Solicitor being the back-up. Chase the OPG again.

You could try a dementia charity - I imagine they're all too familiar with this sort of thing. They might have advice for you.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. Will work through them with my sister.

Have mentioned my concerns to my Dad who acted very surprised and shocked that I would suspect his brother (I didn't mention that I was also concerned about him too!) However since then the order for a new boat has been put on hold

Hope you get it sorted willthisdo