She would have $0 by end of week. My client loves her own spending money but I don't know how to tell her I do not want to take her to the bank to get more because she doesn't remember she gives it away. Help!
Moelish, it sounds like you and the daughter have things worked out. If your client wants to go to the bank for money, then you can tell her that her daughter does that now. Your client might get upset right away, but when judgment is impaired we do the best we can do. I hope it all works out well.
Perhaps you and the daughter could work out an approximate amount for lunches, dinner, and necessities that the mother needs, and only withdraw that amount, telling her that finances are tight, costs of everything have increased, and her daughter and you want to ensure that the she has what she needs.
The other aspect is to find something else to do so that she doesn't have the opportunity to go to places where she can spend money. It sounds like she's fairly mobile - what does she enjoy besides shopping? Where could you take her that would be uplifting but doesn't offer the opportunity to contribute unnecessarily?
Does the AL facility have nice grounds, perhaps a garden? You could take her for a stroll.
Does she read? if so, you could take her to a library to get some books to read.
Does she enjoy music? Summertime is great for concerts in the park; check with local municipalities as they often have weekly concerts. We're going to 2 free ones this month, and there are others but they're a bit out of the way. If she did like the music, you could arrange with her daughter to purchase a CD - our favorite groups bring CDs to sell at their free concerts, but CDs can also be purchased directly from them outside the free concert venue.
If she goes to a small animal park, for example, she could use spending money to buy peanuts or whatever to give to the animals. In our area, there are a few of these very small parks that could be navigated by someone mobile, or in a wheelchair.
Music is good therapy as well, better than spending money!
Perhaps your client's daughter can offer insight into what her mother might enjoy as an activity.
Or another alternative is to specify a favorite charity and donate to that instead of random purchasing. Her church is a possibility.
Let us know what you decide; it's good to see a caregiver taking such a protective approach of a client!
The daughter has accepted the fact and agreed that her mother is not capable of handling pocket money and the fact I am not going to take my client to the bank any longer with all this money loss.
My client's daughter controls the finances but lets her mother go to the bank and withdrawls money for going to lunch or giving an offering to church on Sundays but the agenda had to be changred because my client's cognitive abilities has deterioated and she gets so confused when she is tired--which is often these days because she does not sleep well. I do not know how to broach the subject that my client cannot have money on hand any more because of her giving it away.
Moelish, does your client have family who could take over handling the money? I was wondering if you have POA. I was wondering who has control of the money and is seeing it is spent for your client's care. If it is being given away, then it would seem best to not give her much. Is she wealthy? If so, the family might want to see about setting up a conservatorship. Let us know a bit more about your client and your responsibilities with her.
The other aspect is to find something else to do so that she doesn't have the opportunity to go to places where she can spend money. It sounds like she's fairly mobile - what does she enjoy besides shopping? Where could you take her that would be uplifting but doesn't offer the opportunity to contribute unnecessarily?
Does the AL facility have nice grounds, perhaps a garden? You could take her for a stroll.
Does she read? if so, you could take her to a library to get some books to read.
Does she enjoy music? Summertime is great for concerts in the park; check with local municipalities as they often have weekly concerts. We're going to 2 free ones this month, and there are others but they're a bit out of the way. If she did like the music, you could arrange with her daughter to purchase a CD - our favorite groups bring CDs to sell at their free concerts, but CDs can also be purchased directly from them outside the free concert venue.
If she goes to a small animal park, for example, she could use spending money to buy peanuts or whatever to give to the animals. In our area, there are a few of these very small parks that could be navigated by someone mobile, or in a wheelchair.
Music is good therapy as well, better than spending money!
Perhaps your client's daughter can offer insight into what her mother might enjoy as an activity.
Or another alternative is to specify a favorite charity and donate to that instead of random purchasing. Her church is a possibility.
Let us know what you decide; it's good to see a caregiver taking such a protective approach of a client!