questions & answers

Question: My mother is 92 and a new neighbor has recently befriended her. My mother lives alone and about 450 miles from me and refused to move in with me.I became ill and could no longer care for my mother.Family members flew in from other states to help but I lived the closest.I just became aware that my mother has been changing her financial doucuments with the help of this new neighbor.I found her writing and printing on these documents which contain my name,address,social security number.She helped my mother take my name off.She was acting as her legal guardian.My mother cannot hear or see very well and cannot drive anymore.I called this neighbor up and asked her want was going on? She said she was helping because I abandoned my mother.My mother has two medicare nurses a week that assist her and I have a licensed/bonded agency that can take her to doctors and shopping.When I called this neighbor she called the local police and said I harassed her.I tried to tell the officer on the phone that I may be the victim of identity theft and she may have copies of personal information but he said his concern was only about a phone call and didn't want to know anything else.Again,I live 450 miles away.She took my mother to the funeral home where my mother has made her arrangements and had my name crossed out and her name put in to receive my mother's ashes.I don't know what she was up to but it is all very suspicous.Is ther anything I can do? The only things missing so far that I can determine from my mother's home are clothing(which is mine)and some small items. I am so upset that this woman has personal and financial on my mother and me. Is ther anything I can do? With Appreciation,Generosa

Answer: Contact the Attorney General's Office at: https://www.azag.gov/seniors/elder-abuse to report possible elder abuse. They will take a report and investigate. You can also contact the Area Agency on Aging at 888-783-7500. If she is not in Maricopa County, they will refer you to the specific area that you should contact.