I need some advice. (long, sorry)

[Randi]

A little background: I am involved with a volunteer org. that helps elderly and/or challenged people retain independence by visiting and maintaining their financial records for them. We write checks, balance accounts, monitor unusual activity, etc. My client/friend is a lovely lady in her 80's who lives in an assisted living bldg. She is by no means wealthy, her SS check with an SSI suppliment is totally marked for her rent which includes food, except for $20 a month which she must use to pay for medications. The problen is that she can't seem to stop sending away for things. Books, mostly. She doesn't realize that 1 free book means lots more books will come with lots of bills to pay. She writes checks for sweepstakes scams, too. I see her once a month ans she gives me a stack of bills to pay, but there isn't enough in her account to pay them. I have returned the bills with cancel written on them. I have written explaining the situation, not giving my name, but still the bills keep coming, old ones and new ones. She rarely is able to show me what she received, so I believe others may be taking them before she gets them.
Unfortunatly the org. can't give me much help, it is not allowed to take over any accounts, it must always remain under the control of the client. I just get so stressed, trying to extridate her from these messes. My question is, does it work to have her name put on the DMA mail preference listing? Luckily she doesn't have a phone due to her hearing loss, so that is not an issue. but she loves mail and has no family left so the mail is a highpoint of her day.
Has anyone ever faced a situation like this with an elderly relative?

 

[Goofyposter]

Groosh..that is tough..
First off...THANK YOU for being will'in to help people like this!

Here are sum random thoughts;
-proably any service that tries to reduce 'junk mail' couldn't hurt

-Is she able to get around? I'm wondering about going to the library rather than buying into book clubs?

-Follow your organizations rules carefully...for everyone's legal 'wellness'

-as for mail...would trying to get her a pen pal be an option?


Best Wishes to you....

she loves mail and has no family left so the mail is a highpoint of her day.

I'm guessing your visits are also a "highlight" to her too!

 

[mickey65]

What a great thing you are doing!

I was thinking a pen pal too....or even someone that she does not have to send something back to......but someone that will send her a little note or poem or something like that once a week or so. When I was a Brownie Leader, our pack made little cards twice a month to send to people in the home for the aged. We had a list of people who had no family and who would enjoy getting little notes.

 

[Randi]

Thank you for the suggestion. I like the idea of the penpal. I have been sending cards to her, but I think a penpal would be great. She did have a distant cousin with whom she corresponded, but she told me that she hadn't been getting any replies in quite a while.
The assisted living bldg is quite a thing. There is a library right on the premises, beauty parlor, organized activities, etc. I know she takes part in a lot of things, as she likes to share the monthly calendar with me to show me what she will be doing. she did tell me that when she was younger and working, she did like to enter sweepstakes but seldom won. I think this is a habit that is hard to break. I did a search & found the DMA address, so I will send in her name to not send solicitations to her.
The money management program serves a real purpose and I am so glad to be involved. Over the years, I have gone from a daycare home to a Cub Scout leader, to a Sunday School teacher, roommother, school trip chaparone, Band Parent, and now the elderly. Guess I have covered all the ages!