My mom puts her bank statements in plain sight everywhere on the table, for all caregivers to see. How would you protect your mom?

verystressedout: Perhaps she should be checked for a urinary tract infection.

Get her a table top file holder. Has four or five dividers that you can put file folders in to hold on a desk top - used in offices for common files or current projects. Then some letter size brown envelopes. She can put them inside the envelope and slide the envelope into the slot. Good place to put monthly bills as they come in so everything in one place, too

Let her know how dangerous it could be if the papers were misplaced or if one of the statements accidently ended up in the trash. Someone could have her bank account number.

Would she remember if it didn't come in the mail???? You could just stop the bank from sending out a monthly statement by changing her to paperless. If her mind is still good that probably wouldn't be an option.

First of all I am a care giver myself. Anyone hiring a care person to care for a parent should have a case worker that can answer your questions and concerns putting it on the internet is just asking for trouble call the case worker.

OP,

My Dad did this and he had 7 digit bank statements (not counting pennies). I talked to my Dad about this and he thought it was okay to leave them out. My Dad saw nothing wrong with leaving open statements spread out on the table.

I'd try to move them some place else--at least put them in a drawer or something when Mom is not around. IF you don't have financial POA try to catch them each month when they come in and put them in a drawer etc so at least they are not sitting out in full view on a table.

IF you have financial POA immediately change to electronic statements so they don't come to the house.

Is there a way you can casually take over? This sounds like the beginning of having to take over for her. The way I started was, I put my name on the account, then I started to do the accounting saying "oh I'll do it that way you don't need to worry about it." Then go paperless. It is a process but if you casually do it then it won't be so immediate also you will also work it into your schedule.

Many banks now encourage statements on line rather than paper statements. This would be a safer option. Some banks now charge a fee if the statement is not electronic.
Would it be possible to tell mom this is now a requirement?

I would put all of her important papers and information away in a safe place, in her home somewhere.

Yes, I would inform her! But I wouldn't do that because websites are not always safe. Even though they say that it is.

Do what I do. Shred them after you check them out.

Just want to thank everyone for their help.

My mom organized the papers better, out of sight. Not out of reach. She’s mentally competent. I have to let it be.

Glad to see that this has somewhat been taken care of. You might want to convince her that going "paperless" for her statements is even better. My bank started charging me if I continued with paper statements. It "forced" me to go paperless.

You should not get rid of bank statements. Medicaid has a 5 year look back. Because my Mom kept her statements, I did not have to go to the bank to request them. The caseworker got them at the time he helped me fill out the application for Medicaid.

All of my financial statements are secured online. All gift checks I receive will be retained in a secured place for the CA Medicaid 30-month lookback period should unforseen circumstances ever occur.