Im puzzled and upset because someone I know, B has dementia and has a relative (A) who has got POA for B and is unofficial carer for (B). According to A, B is "not able to live alone", but A is rarely able to visit, so B is left alone 23 hours out of 24 unless friends visit and there are very few of us. B also struggles to operate a phone, so is very isolated and perhaps couldn't call for help if they needed to?
There's no way A can meet the care needs of B because of their own health needs and out of concern I suggested A activate POA to be able to use B's money to pay for essential care, thus enabling B to have their care needs met by a carer. This was met by complete denial of care needs not being met and complete refusal to activate POA. In fact A got quite defensive and accused me of thinking A was interested in the money of B. I have tried different ways to help B, but without POA, I cannot. The situation is awful and I do believe real neglect is occurring. To make matters worse, A is going away on business and there will be no one for B to call on, even IF B can remember how to use a phone when required.
Im worried for B but can't get too involved due to having my parents to look after myself and my job, yet something feels badly wrong and I wanted to run it by some people to see if I did the right thing by trying to encourage A to activate Power of Attourney and get care in place?
It seems like no one wants to help and the one close relative (A) absolutely REFUSES to activate Power of Attourney to pay for care, saying there is no money. But there IS (or should be) because B owns a home and also did have considerable savings and several pensions.
I'd suspect A is already using POA for their own needs. You think B needs care input and your suggestion has been ignored by A so contact social services explaining your concern for Bs welfare. Never mind what A does or says about you seeing your friend, you are doing the decent thing for B.
I could be totally wrong here, but I think that in order to activate POA you have to go through the courts.
If that’s the case then it may be possible to find some way of looking that up. At least then you’d know that A isn’t using B’s POA for his/her own needs.
No you don’t. You register it with the Office of the Public Guardian. It’s sensible to do this as soon as it’s granted in order to avoid delays when it needs to be used,
Adult Care should help. My mother lives independently at age 99. She has carers (self funding) calling 3 x daily plus meals on wheels. She has a fall alarm also. There is a cap for care in uk. If not enough funds then Social Services fund. Also there is Attendance Allowance which will give up to £80+ a week depending on needs. AA is not means tested
This is how to find out if someone has registered a power of attorney
www.gov.uk/find-someones-attorney-deputy-or-guardian
Look up How to raise a Safeguarding concern for the relevant city/ county where your friend lives. It will give you a variety of options and you can choose the best. Safeguarding teams joint work between Social Services, Police and any other public body that may need to be involved, such as The Court of Protction who have oversight of all POA matters and can look into the financial angle if needed, suspend the POA if it is being abused, etc. Safeguarding is a legal duty for local authorities but, as discussed above and I know you agree, they need you to get them started!
*OnwardandUpward
Have you had any success today with Adult Social Care?
Contact social services. Your friend is vulnerable and needs to be looked after properly
I have had a "keysafe" fitted to our house. It is accessed by a code that we give to carers and district nurses. I'm so glad I got it fixed. I'm on drugs that make me sleep in when I get the chance, so it's really good that carers can let themselves in. I'm thinking this would be ideal for B. A could have the code, a neighbour could, and so could you. Then B needn't be locked in or alone. Mine was free to be fitted.
A carer came early one day last week and discovered my partner on the kitchen floor. No injuries had been sustained, but he had raided the fridge overnight and his blood glucose had got out of control, so he was taken to hospital.
How could a keysafe prevent B from being locked in? And by the sound of things it’s not what A would do. She/he wants control.
OnwardandUpward
Thankyou GermanshepherdsMum, it does seem that A is not acting in B's best interests (even with maybe the best intentions they are not actually able to)
I have suspected that A may have something to hide as has been gifted money many times I hear, but B has had dementia for many years so maybe does not have the ability to make sound financial decisions? Or perhaps A has been left the house so does not want it to be sold to pay for care. It seems highly suspicious to me that A says flatly "There is no money to pay for care" because I know if this was my parent or inlaw we would (and have) sold the house at the drop of a hat just to get essential care in place.
And yes, put like that, I have no other choice.
This is a safeguarding issue, you have 2 choices contact the Guardian office and tell them what you have told us, or report it as a safeguarding issue to Social Services. As you are a carers yourself, are you registered with your local LA? you could go through them who should support you and perhaps deal with the safeguarding issue themselves without involving you. They have to take a complaint seriously, so go for it, you would never forgive yourself if anything happened to the dear lady.
SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONES BUSINESS, never forget that.
OnwardandUpward any update?
As far as gaining entry is concerned, there must be a way when Safeguarding issues have been raised. It may be that, given that she is actually locked in (my blood runs cold at that thought), the Police need to be involved.
As Maria59 said - is there any news today? Please tell us that something is happening.
I've just re-read your OP and realised that you said friends visit, even though there are very few. Does that mean that you, or they, have a key? If so, someone could arrange to meet someone from the Safeguarding Team.
This is a safeguarding issue, contact your local safeguarding adults team to discuss your concerns.
How many times has that been said? I do wish people would RTFT. The OP must be sick of hearing that she should contact social services when she has already done so.
If you call the Lasting Power of Attorney call centre they have advice on this point. Also contact social services and the Police if the person is in danger. I wonder if the holder of the LPA is also named as a beneficiary in a will and doesn’t want the assets to diminish by applying them to the LPA Donor’s immediate care needs.
You need to contact the local safeguarding lead.
Germanshepherdsmum
How many times has that been said? I do wish people would RTFT. The OP must be sick of hearing that she should contact social services when she has already done so.
Hear, hear! I can't believe how many people will give advice about a POA or LPA when they obviously don't know much about it either. However, Germanshepherdsmum. I think wall, head and bashing are the 3 words that mostly sum up GN. 🤣🤣🤣
👍🏻
Just telephone Social Setvices and ask to be put through to Safeguarding. Tell them your concerns and also ask them not to disclose your name. They will investigate. The person involved is at high risk
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Had similar situation with a friend. Called social services. They put a care plan in place and completed necessary forms for attendance allowance etc.
Once B is in a care home, you will be able to visit her there. A, won't have any control over that.
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