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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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My mother took care of all her finances for many years...I am very proud of her for that. But lately, it has become a bit overwhelming. I too was a little leery of becoming her "accountant" but I have found a way to do it.
1.Never sign on a bank account unless you have "signing" privileges. Your father's account remains in his name and is not connected to you financially. He has simply given you permission to create and sign checks. Write notes about each payment in his check register (i.e., doctor, dentist, pharmacy....) 2. Online banking saves my life! I can see all her accounts, checks paid, and most importantly, I can pay bills on line. This way I have a record of all transactions. (as romer mentioned above, DOCUMENT everything. If you pay for something in cash save all receipts...I have an envelope for each year. If you need a receipt for a return, etc. you have it. If family members wonder about "finances" you have proof of every purchase.) 3. I have as many bills as possible sent directly to my email account. Again, I have a record and it reminds me when the bills need to be paid. Basically, Mom only receives 3 bills mailed directly to her home. 4. Mom opened a credit card account with a small limit. When I have to buy things for her online, I use her card. (again, you would be a "signer" not financially responsible for the account) 5. Mom has some "small change" around the house. She really does not need much because I do all her shopping and bill paying.
Any good accountant will tell you to not mix your financial transactions with your father's. As far as getting the sibs involved...I guess it is good to inform them that you need to take over the accounts, but too many hands trying to take care of weekly finances becomes too cumbersome. You have PoA for a reason, take charge and don't worry about the fam., they will always have an "opinion." I know that it is just one more job to add to the mix, but a very important one. Good luck Lilli
My father-in-law used to do all the financial stuff, mother-in-law would just hand over her check and if she wanted money he would give it to her. Then he got sick and 6 months later died, she wanted me #3 daughter-in-law to take over when he originally got sick. I was available at the time, so I did. I started with POA at the bank so I could sign checks. Now I have all her bills sent directly to me and the only thing that comes to her at the asst. living place is either junk mail or personal mail from grandkids etc. I DO have safe guards in place though. At first I made sure #2 son was also POA on her account. Then we put all three boys on her account but I'm still the POA. In the event of her death, I no longer have any responsibilities, they do. Which I like fine. I also have her account accessible online to which ever of her sons wants to check on it. I gave them the passwords etc. I do all the banking, but it's an open book so to speak. It's working out fine, I don't expect any issues in the future either.
It is worth it. It is not fun, taking control of someone else's life. In fact, it not only feels "foreign," but downright creepy; unnatural. That's a good sign, because it is a delicate issue, not to be taken lightly. Tread carefully. We're talking power, control, and loss. They lose, and it must be humiliating.
My Dad lost control of his ability to keep all the plates spinning, and started getting into trouble. The bank actually alerted me, and asked me to "start coming to appointments with him." Thank God! Otherwise, the creditors would have taken everything. He was starting to miss things, get shut off notices, and not pay bills...some forever. The phone got turned off, and I had to drive 200 miles to find out why. Freightening! So, if there are problems, the time may be now.
It also depends upon what stage Alzheimer's they are in. Move cautiously, and respectfully. I was a take-no-prisoners, firstborn, which wasn't the best approach for someone who is becoming confused. Poke around, and get a feel for things. Try talking to your Dad, first, if you can. Then when you have to, do what is necessary to do what has to be done. Follow common sense, and trust your instincts. You'll know when it's time to take over everything.
I also called anyone that would ever send my mother-in-law a bill and had that address changed to mine. Now all she gets is personal mail and of course junk mail(can't be helped) but she doesn't have to worry about the bills anymore. She'll ask me every so often how she's doing with money. I used to give her a detailed accounting, but she'd forget it 5 minutes later and ask again, so now I just tell her 'well you can't go out and buy a new Mercedes, but you're doing fine'. That's all she cared about anyhow, to know she is okay financially.
Start now. I took the checkbook and bills away. I don't give mom the bank records since she does not understand them anyway. Mom thinks that we should be paying .25 a gallon for gas and that a car should be no more than 5,000.00. She just does not get it. It is so much easier. I am in charge of the trust and put passwords on everything. If you are asking the question "when" then the answer has been made for you. NOW
So far I am able to sit w/ my mom & make out her bills. She is starting to forget that we've already paid things and wants to pay them again. I am thinking it won't be long before I will need to intercept all mail & pay things myself. I am on her checking account, and she put my name on her credit card-does that make me responsible for these?
hockeymom: I would find out if you were are a co-applicant at the time the credit card was issued. (doubt it, if you did not sign anything.) If so, you may want to change to "signing" status. Call the company - since you are on the card you can ask about the status.
(btw, I don't remember things being this complex when I was younger and my mother was taking care of my grandmother!)
My father in law has alzheimers my hubby has poa a few months ago, since my father in law got bad my hubby signed several checks to pay his fathers expenses. The bank called and said the signatures do not match and they suspect fraud. They are going to investigate and his acct was frozen. We can not pay his medical and one of his rental homes are in foreclosure because there is no access. What do we do
Your husband needs to make a trip to the bank, and any other financial entities, with his POA document to get on record at the bank as the POA on each account. One should always sign "for, parents' name" by "the POA person's name" when signing checks so the institution knows what's going on.
My 60 yr old husband I just found out is 3,ooo behind in our rent.He has some deliquent checks out and has some quick cah loans for 1300. I am frustrated that he has gotten behind with the irs and just finished a payment schedule for that and now I find out this! He will not give me his paycheck and is only now opening up slightly. How can I simply his life if he won't make good decisions?
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
1.Never sign on a bank account unless you have "signing" privileges. Your father's account remains in his name and is not connected to you financially. He has simply given you permission to create and sign checks. Write notes about each payment in his check register (i.e., doctor, dentist, pharmacy....)
2. Online banking saves my life! I can see all her accounts, checks paid, and most importantly, I can pay bills on line. This way I have a record of all transactions. (as romer mentioned above, DOCUMENT everything. If you pay for something in cash save all receipts...I have an envelope for each year. If you need a receipt for a return, etc. you have it. If family members wonder about "finances" you have proof of every purchase.)
3. I have as many bills as possible sent directly to my email account. Again, I have a record and it reminds me when the bills need to be paid. Basically, Mom only receives 3 bills mailed directly to her home.
4. Mom opened a credit card account with a small limit. When I have to buy things for her online, I use her card. (again, you would be a "signer" not financially responsible for the account)
5. Mom has some "small change" around the house. She really does not need much because I do all her shopping and bill paying.
Any good accountant will tell you to not mix your financial transactions with your father's. As far as getting the sibs involved...I guess it is good to inform them that you need to take over the accounts, but too many hands trying to take care of weekly finances becomes too cumbersome. You have PoA for a reason, take charge and don't worry about the fam., they will always have an "opinion."
I know that it is just one more job to add to the mix, but a very important one.
Good luck
Lilli
My Dad lost control of his ability to keep all the plates spinning, and started getting into trouble. The bank actually alerted me, and asked me to "start coming to appointments with him." Thank God! Otherwise, the creditors would have taken everything. He was starting to miss things, get shut off notices, and not pay bills...some forever. The phone got turned off, and I had to drive 200 miles to find out why. Freightening! So, if there are problems, the time may be now.
It also depends upon what stage Alzheimer's they are in. Move cautiously, and respectfully. I was a take-no-prisoners, firstborn, which wasn't the best approach for someone who is becoming confused. Poke around, and get a feel for things. Try talking to your Dad, first, if you can. Then when you have to, do what is necessary to do what has to be done. Follow common sense, and trust your instincts. You'll know when it's time to take over everything.
(btw, I don't remember things being this complex when I was younger and my mother was taking care of my grandmother!)
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