My mother is temporarily living with my sister who has joint financial POA over my mom with myself. However my sister has spent a large amount of mom's money in one month period during Covid-19 because she said mom
is elderly and therefore the money should be spent. She orders things every day on line, has put in a new pergola, ordered new sewing machine
bought new furniture and gives her grandchildren from mom's social security check. She withdrew mom's stimulus check as soon as it was
deposited in the bank and also withdrew most of her social security
check, stating she was putting it in a box to save for mom but I know better.
She will not give me mom's debit card and is taking money every way possible for her own personal use. Said she will use mom's and save her own money because mom can't take it with her if she passes. Mom has
dementia Alzheimer disease. I am a healthcare worker and want mom to be safe while I continue working and have a great potential for covid exposure, however, I know mom will be better off with me because I have never financially or physically abused her. My sister curses her and ties her hands up. I don't know what to do. Please advise me.
Then figure the benefit to your siblings in terms of money not spent over those years and increase in value to their inheritance.
https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/learn/health-wellness/info-12-2012/metlife-study-caregiving-costs-working.html see less
Being a POA means you and sister are fiduciaries for mom. Being a fiduciary requires a POA to use any assets for the principal's (your mom) best interest. I'm sure your mom cannot use a sewing machine or new furniture. Your sister is violating her responsibility and must be held accountable. Call Adult Protective Services and report her actions. Your sister may be required to pay back the money she spent from mom's account. Arrange for your mom to live elsewhere.
As a health care worker you are a mandatory reporter. You need to call APS and the police to report this abuse.
You know that if someone else reports this that you can be more responsible then your sister because you know that she is abusing your mom and you have done nothing.
Your sister doesn't get a free pass to physically abuse a vulnerable senior, you need to call the authorities TODAY!
As joint POA, you have joint responsibility with your sister for what happens to your mother's money. Plus, you are a healthcare worker: you presumably have had at least basic training in adult safeguarding. Why have you not already reported what you know to APS?
Stimulus check? Is mom on Medicaid? That money has to be spent by the end of the year. But, should be for mom's needs.