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It is his next door neighbor. We have witnessed multiple acts of suspicious behavior in the past years. The latest is changing his phone number and not notifying us or another relative of this change. She was very reluctant to give new number until my name was mentioned. We all live out of state. My uncle has mild dementia. I do not believe she did this to protect his privacy. Only to isolate him more. Would contacting Adult protective services be in order for this? Help!

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Yes, contact Adult Protective Services. Tell them about the phone number change, uncle has mild dementia, your concern about the neighbor isolating your uncle from his out-of-state family members (none live closer). Also discuss the other "multiple acts of suspicious behavior in past years". Ask APS about getting a Power of Attorney or Guardianship for your uncle to protect his best interest and finances.
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How could a neighbor change another person's phone number? The phone company is very protective of customer's information, but if the number was changed ask your uncle who changed it (if he remembers). APS is not going to do much since you have no proof the neighbor did anything. Why don't you go see your uncle, access the situation, and get a POA. Also, I would talk with the neighbor and make it crystal clear the family does not appreciate any changes unless you all approve.
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Yes, people can talk seniors in to anything. (Mom had Alzheimer's)
My sister convinced my Mom that I stole all her money and jewelry. She had the locked changed and her health care proxy. She took her off her meds. I called Adult Protective Services and they told me this was not considered abuse. In 9 months my Mom had a stroke and my sister did not want a feeding tube. My Mom lasted for 15 days with no food or water and she was alert until the day before she died. I tried to fight it but had no legal standing. My Mom told me she made a terrible decision while she was in the hospital, but there was nothing I could do. I have a hard time with this because I was the child who was always close to my parents and took care of them. Maybe you will have better luck because it is a neighbor not a relative.
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I am almost more concerned with the fact that your uncle is living alone with mild dementia. How will you know when it gets to a point where he is a danger to himself, by, ie leaving a burner on, wandering outside and getting lost... This is something I am all too familiar with. It is hard to assess from long distance. I like the suggestion to go visit him and see for yourself. You might consider moving him to assisted living. I know a lot of planets need to align for this to happen... Not easy...
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Contact Protective Services ASAP. I hired a lady to stay with my Aunt during
the day.When I would callher house phone to check on her no answer.My Aunt was taken out I was told. To lunch.. The next day Protective Service was called. Not by me but by the bank. She was taken to the bank.(My father had taken all her check books)
My dad who looked over all her affairs then had a stroke. We had to hire A Guardian and conservator. I was very ill at the time and couldnt deal with dad and her finances. However I wish I knew a Guatdian and Conservator could be seperate. Dealing with this guy was a nightmare. I should have been her Guardian amd hired a conservator
The money he paid himself was sick.
However it unsafe and illegal for him. to be unattended. Take action at once.
The nice woman who took her to the bank is now a guest of the state(in jail)
Beware and Good Luck!
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I'm a California licensed professional fiduciary. Call APS today. Get a trusted family member to go out and do an unannounced visit. Get an estate planning, elder law or other attorney to help out. And a doctor's aappointment for an assessment to determine the severity of his condition is important. Don't wait.
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What happened to soverytierd --above--happened to us with mom. The "nice man" took mom to the bank and she withdrew $4000 cash for 1 month of care for 2 people. That wouldn't sound so bad, but there was only one person, and he showed up one time per week for 15-20 minutes and really didn't do anything except ask "how are you doing" mom didn't complain so he left until the next week. We had a part time helper who actually did work around the house and she alerted us to this. We went there from 1700 miles away and with the help of a competent lawyer we spent 12 weeks straightening everything out. (cost was approx $12000)
The Home Care people (I should say the con artists) were finally caught and are spending 11 years in jail in Cal. The con's assets were sold and distributed to the victims at approx. 57%
So Cameo2014, it is important to stay on top of this.
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My neighbor was scammed out of everything. She had no relatives that stepped in and the couple got everything who moved in with her. It hurt me terribly, since she was a friend since I was a child. Adult Protective Services did nothing. A waste of taxpayers (Washington State) money.

I am living in similar situation. You can find my postings on here. I returned from being out of country to try to heal from a very sick situation with my siblings. I had hoped to see my mom who I was caregiver to for years. My siblings put her in assisted living, evicted me and brainwashed her after brain surgery. She was becoming demented before the fall and then she had carotid surgery, then fell 10 days later with brain injury and then surgery 2 weeks later. They have totally influenced her and turned her against me. I was told by professionals in the medical community that they can be easily influenced after the injury.

I had thought about going to see her, but now I know her brain is like a child and she cannot decipher the truth. It is so sad that there are so many sociopaths out there and my own family! I hope I die before someone takes advantage of me. The laws do not protect the elderly as far as I am concerned! Good luck and know that by doing what you can with limitations, you are doing the right thing.
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Call APS asap! Sounds like the neighbor is trying to isolate him, which makes him an easy target for abuse and exploitation.
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OMG! Any form of dementia means this person needs assistance! Someone in the family must step up because your neighbor, for whatever reason, will prevail in swaying your elder relative. No way should this elder person be left ALONE any longer.
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