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Pattytrantham Asked October 2015

Who do you contact to have your elderly parent tested for mental competence?

My mom is 88 and has been making bad decisions on my sisiter who has been robbing my mom of jewelry and other items. My sister is a drug addict and is using my mom. She has been living in the house with my mom and after the last Jewerly gone missing I had my sister pack her thing and leave but my mom let her back in 2 days. I am the power of attorney if my mom isn't capable.

Eyerishlass Oct 2015
It may not be a result of incompetence as much as it's a dysfunctional/codependent relationship between your mom and your sister. Show me an addict and I'll show you at least one person who is enabling the addict. Enabling your sister doesn't make your mom incompetent. And if your mom is competent she's allowed to make bad decisions.

If you do a little digging you'll find numerous questions here regarding how to protect an elderly person from an adult child who is an addict/alcoholic.

UncleDave Oct 2015
You state: I am the power of attorney if my mom isn't capable.

If your a POA and your mom is found mentally incompetent the POA is dead POAs require the person's approval to be used. I'd suggest talking with an elder affairs lawyer to clarify your legal powers for your mom.

What a POA is … and isn’ r

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BarbBrooklyn Oct 2015
It sounds like there is more than one issue here. First, what do you want to accomplish by having mom declared incompetent? Are you seeking guardianship ? Do you want to put her in a facility, or move her to your home and she doesn't want to go? I'd talk to her doctor about how to get the ball rolling on that process; it varies from state to state I believe.

If your sister is stealing from your mom, you should report this to the local police. You could also call APS and report that your mom is a vulnerable adult who is being victimized. They may have some better suggestions.

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