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I am a CHHA who works for a senior care agency. I have a client who lives on her own. She is estranged from her only child, a son, and has no other family that live near by. She assigned a friend as her PoA. This client has been doing a lot of catalog Christmas and future birthday shopping over the past few months for her PoA and her adult children and grand kids, as she considers them "like family". I am at my client's house for just two short shifts each week. Her house was already cluttered and we were supposed to be getting things organized but the boxes that come almost daily now just add to the clutter and sorting them takes away from the completion of other tasks I should be getting done. She has balance issues, so getting those boxes off the floor is important to her safety. Her PoA doesn't seem to be coming in much to help as she has her own elderly parents and husband to care for. I don't think she's trying to dissuade my client from buying things for her family. I've tried to tell the client that she doesn't need to buy things for "these people" but she seems to feel she "owes them" as, in her view, they treat her as family. Walking into her home, I feel confused and frustrated. I have spoken to a nurse at the agency so they are aware, but client is still shopping. I've worked with this client for a few years and I'm very concerned for her, but I'm considering asking if they can reassign the client to another aide.

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This is a tough spot to be in, but I recommend you do not talk to the PoA directly but document in writing and report the growing clutter and safety issue due to the constant purchasing of items to your admin at the agency and let them have the burden -- it's part of their job and the PoA may be more likely to listen to them than you. If your charge doesn't have a diagnosis of dementia or impairment in her medical records, there's really nothing about the spending that is illegal.
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Nestea, you're a good person to be concerned about your client.

Since you've been working for her for several years, have you observed a change in behavior? Is the shopping spree a new thing? She is cluttering her house, making it unsafe and possibly beginning to hoard things. This could be a sign of her cognitive decline.

If she is in full charge of her faculty, then there might be other reasons.

Did she recently assign POA to her friend? If so, she probably feels especially grateful to the friend for accepting the POA responsibility. Perhaps, that feeling will wear off and the shopping spree will cease.

Christmas is just around the corner, the gifts intended for Christmas will be given away, so there should be less clutter.

You already talked to the client, and you already reported your concern to your employer. I think you have done what you should do in your capacity as a responsible CHHA. One thing though, if you suspect cognitive decline, you should let the POA friend know. The POA may need to step in and protect your client's finances.

If you don't want to continue working for this client, you should feel free to request to be assigned somewhere else.
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Is it possible to get everything wrapped and labeled so she can see how much stuff is really there?

Maybe, seeing that she has covered everyone on her list will help with this apparently compulsive behavior. If there is no list, help get one together and list what has been bought for each.

Maybe, try to find some volunteers to do the wrapping, if I was close I would help. I find wrapping therapeutic.

I would also encourage her that this is the most important time of the year to donate to shelters, that way those struggling without a home can get some new to them items to help them.

Best of luck helping her stop and stay on track.
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I am the POA for an elderly person. She loves to shop from catalogs, and is generous. I’ve talked with our attorney and with her Doctor’s. There isn’t a great answer, unless you want to recommend conservatorship, or contact elderly organization in your area (even then I doubt they will be much help). The person I am POA for has resources, however some days she is more with it than others. On her with it days, she is aware of what she is doing. On her off days, she still feels good about it. Who am I to tell her she can’t spend the money she worked for? Difficult, similar to driving…our Doctors will not get involved in any decisions regarding competency and capability.
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This kind of buying can wipe a person out financially. She mustn't be aware of this or she wouldn't keep doing it. Can you take her computer?
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Jasmina Dec 2021
That is called theft to some. I'd notify son.
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This is called hoarding and OCD behavior and she will trip and fall over the boxes - her Doctor needs to be aware of this issue tell her health care proxy and they can speak to Doctor . This is how my mom fell many times by tripping over piles
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If you feel her house and clutter is posing a danger to her health then you should contact the POA and/or Adult Protective Services. The money being spent I’m sure isn’t more of a concern than for her welfare, which I understand but know that you can do nothing about. Your primary focus must and always be her health and safety. If the clutter in the home is posing a health and safety risk (Could she become entrapped? Is she likely to trip and fall? Are exits blocked? Can all the windows be accessed and opened?) then that must be addressed.
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Geaton777 Dec 2021
Lizbitty, there is no need to contact APS if there is a PoA and an agency admin who are unaware of the problem and haven't even been given a heads-up first.
- The caregiver contacts her admin about her concerns.
- The agency admin contacts the PoA to give them a heads-up as to whether or not there is a problem.
- The PoA works it out with their LO (and all is "normal" for her) or figures out their LO is operating out of a change in cognition.
- The PoA would hopefully contact the agency to confirm what is or is not going to change in the future. At this point the admin should be pointing out the clutter issue to either or both woman or the PoA. The spending issue is none of their business nor that of the hired aid, since everything reportable has been reported.

If the agency doesn't contact the woman or her PoA to address the clutter or the PoA sees no need to do anything and the clutter continues, then the hired aid can certainly ask to be reassigned. The hired aid can at this point discuss contacting APS with her manager if the home is truly a dangerous home environment and the PoA does nothing or the woman won't allow it.
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I agree you should leave if you need to But if you care for this lady as you say, I would tell her nicely your concerns about her safety. If she can afford to do so, and chooses so, she might arrange to gift these people in a way that is legal and usual, and less messy. Or she may be bored and likes shopping to pass the time. More visitors, day care? Do turn it over to the proper agency to see if there are legal or fiduciary problems involved, that isn't your call. But the physical danger to the client is. Do emphasize that to the agency and client. If all is legal and appropriate, she might benefit from a professional organizer.
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Tall to the POA and the isn't again and tell them exactly what you think and the boxes are utterly and dangerous and from mow on, if the items aren't for the Client herself to not have them delivered to her house.

Let the Client know that you can't do your job and if this doesnt stop, you won't be her Aide any longer.

Is this being done all the time or just now for Xmas?

Presents need to be delivered to the persons house who is getting the gift, not your Clients.
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Please let your agency know about the issue and send pictures about this growing concern. The POA should be notified about this so hi/she can take action. In the meantime, try to arrange the growing mass of boxes into stacks in a room that isn't used often - maybe a spare room.
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