A gardener is taking advantage of my 83 year old mother. He's very sweet and his work is excellent. He showers her with affection and praise. He doesn't tell her how much to pay him, which is good and bad. She ends up paying thousands of dollars for work that should only cost a few hundred. She paid $20,000 on him in one year, and he didn't do nearly that much work.
I suggested a rate but she didn't listen. He always has financial emergencies and of course she pays toward them. My sister caught them kissing (though he's married, she's divorced) and caught him squeezing her butt. He seems to have cast a spell over her.
What can we do? She's not willing to listen to reason when it comes to him.
My friend threatened to get the attorney general after him . He disappeared after that . The woman of course had undiagnosed dementia at the time .
Sorry you are dealing with this.
If it were my Mother, then without her present, I'd tell this guy that I know he is overcharging her and that I'll report him for elder abuse if he doesn't get lost and never come back. Then find a way to block his number on her phone.
If she'll let you take over her finances, you should. Just so she doesn't end up broke. If she refuses, that's not on you.
At the very least, I'm going to stop using his services and tell him I don't appreciate how he treats her.
At the very least, you need to have a talk with this gardener. He needs to charge her a flat monthly rate which is reasonable, starting immediately, or you will report him to the police for elder abuse. No kissing, no sob stories about needing money or having issues, just gardening and that's it. I think he'll quit once you threaten him with calling the police though.
Best of luck to you.
Do you think this would anger her beyond repair?