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My mom has a strained relationship with me, only child. She has alienated any family of origin and of past husbands. There is a lot of generational trauma. I know her grandparents were messed up and the pain flowed downhill. My kid, now that her g.m. is no longer across the street but in A.L., has come forward w/ sexual, psychological abuse from immersion in my mo's sick thinking. This occured in kid's first 8 years when I finally cut visits on grounds for filth and hoarding. Mom laments me isolating her from her grandchild and it makes a great story.
She has a long history of playing sugar momma to men to feel powerful. She moved to my state when I started family planning. She kept her property in another state and her "professional" relationship with landscaper to maintain the land, but not interior. They mutually enjoyed her fleecing. She told me there were several years post a health care crisis he maintained property without payment. She felt he was a great friend for doing so and she paid he paid a lump sum. She has great loyalty to him. She was never emotionally/mentally well but was able to "function" The last several years have been a slide into dementia of some sort, possibly mini strokes. She has refused medical care. Not seeing a primary since around 2018. Mom can showtime but landscaper knows and has upped the game in 2024 with making it a "true friendship" calling her daily for about 5 minutes on his way to work. At this time he came to visit (w/ a friend) and the three of them went out and she set up for a direct bank transfer, gave him a key to the house on the grounds he maintains and worked out a plan. She told me at that time he will "fix up the house" she will pay for it all and when it sells he will get half minus the money given to fix. Psychology of a hoarder things are "taken care of" and he makes great plans and she is in control, he is very attentive to her but nothing happens on the inside. 28k for the outside in less than a year..
These daily calls are a bright spot in my mom's day she can depend on. She is in charge. He is brilliant.
She had delegated to me the sale/donation of her vehicles. He wanted one and when he didn't get it he leaned on my mother and she got frantic because he didn't respect her. Earlier this year she had a trip to e.r. which resulted in skilled nursing followed by A.L. On the way to e.r. her one wish she kept saying over and over was "Give (him) the house. Give him the house." She and I were in therapy prior together and we broached how he is using her. Anyone I share text/emails he has sent says he's good at talking alot and saying nothing. They relate great because it doesn't interfere with her reality. It was recommended I block him from my mom's phone.
She chooses this way of relating. At this point it looks like elder abuse/scam coming from him and elder abuse/ isolation if I keep her from him, they have had an over 30 year relationship. I have my own anger, shame and work to do to get my kid help in healing. My husband and I are it for "loving family" and right now I'm not feeling it. I was hoping the A.L. team could fill in the holes though she's adamant about moving back and paying caregivers that will be runoff. She has a very creative tongue.
In contrast to the friend that makes her powerful I am cleaning out her hoard, putting a contrasting, uncomfortable reality in her face and generally hurting her doing things I think need to be done.
Mom had psych eval but report yet issued. Ever the gentleman he disclosed he wants to do the 3 three hour drive to "visit before she forgets me" and asks if that would be alright. It is as simple as a printout and visit to the ups store to do a new will.Thoughts?

I am already financial PoA and listed in POLST. My child has no further dealings with my parent.
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AlvaDeer Jul 15, 2025
If you have financial POA and your mother has diagnosed dementia, then you are in charge of finances and she is unable to make wills, sell or give away homes, and etc. If you are not already managing finances and she has diagnosed dementia then it is time to do so according to your POA and keeping meticulous records. No discussion; just do it and refuse to speak of it. Keep visits short and sweet; leave when there is any unpleasant interactions started.

OR resign your POA through an attorney (necessary to do it legally if she is demented so that the courts can appoint a guardian fiduciary.
This is in your hands and as an adult you have to make decisions to handle it.
If Mom has dementia then none of this will improve in her lifetime and it isn't in her control.
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This isn't all about Mom. This is a two-player game. Add in gardeners and such and you have even more players.
I don't know what you are doing "in this" and why you have not distanced yourself from this woman. You ARE passing this trauma-drama to another generation, which will pass it on forever down the line. What a shame.

Here's what I would do. Stay out of it completely. Do not consider EVER becoming POA or guardian. Visit infrequently at the ALF with a nice bouquet or box of chocolates.. Stay out of discussions of her calls, her home, her gardener or her friends. Do not accept any POA or guardianship or next of kin responsibilities.

If and when Mom requires an guardianship see to it that it is guardianship of the state who will manage her assets, cars, homes, and everything else.
Move on with a quality of life with good friends, co-workers, family who bear not the slightest resemblance to Mom.
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