my father has dementia.... we have seen it comming on, but in the last 6 months , it's become much worse. He is now starting to be confused over his check book and paying his bills... He seems more confused everyday.. we want to create an online checking a pay on it, and have the bills sent to our home.
The sooner you can get control, the smaller the mess you'll have to clean up. I hope that Dad will feel relief that he doesn't have to struggle with this anymore. (Heck I don't have dementia and I'm not retired but I'd LOVE for one of my kids to manage my finances for me. I get no volunteers, though.) Some paranoia is not unusual in dementia, so don't take it personally if he resists and doesn't seem to trust you. Just keep at it and try to catch him at a "good" time.