Death of spouse
John is 75 years old and had been a consultant physician before he started to deteriorate when he fell badly, in difficult times after the death of his wife. When he was healthy, he had had an exceptionally well-paid job, and his wife made all the domestic arrangements and paid all their bills on time. Then everything changed.
There were issues around alcohol, depression, lack of emotional support from his estranged family, but the most pressing issue was the imminent loss of his property due to miss-management of his income.
John was hopelessly behind with his council tax, had not paid the maintenance on his flat since the death of his wife and he had received a water bill for just over £850. He had been under the impression that the water rates were somehow included as part of his service charge. In any case, John could not be persuaded of the difference between maintenance and service charges, nor the urgency to pay them. John preferred to continue to ignore his problems despite the solution being well within his means.
Following a referral from the council for non-payment of council taxes, Money Guardians is now involved. A budget has been drawn up and with his consent, the bills are now being paid using his savings and occupational pension. John receives three weekly visits to allow him sufficient cash for his immediate needs without the danger of overspending on alcohol. John has gone on to see a number of specialists about health issues and he receives treatment for alcohol abuse.
Neighbours note self-neglect
Neighbours alerted Social Services about Margaret, 83. She never left her flat as she could no longer manage two flights of stairs, and appeared emaciated, disheveled and disorientated. Margaret was not opening her post or paying her bills although she had assets in six figures, and had lost the will to care for herself. Money Guardians was asked to visit to see how things could be improved.
With Margaret’s consent, a full range of services, such as daily Home Help for bathing and dressing, meals-on-wheels, hairdressing and chiropody were put in place. A review of paperwork, which took place in Margaret’s flat with her cooperation, revealed the extent of Margaret’s bills and resources. Again with Margaret’s consent a direct transfer from one of Margaret’s accounts was set up to Money Guardians. This now provides sufficient to pay all her bills, which are sent direct to Money Guardians for payment.
Re-wiring of the flat and other improvements have been organised. A weekly delivery of cash means that Margaret can give money to her Home Help to purchase the food and household items she chooses. Margaret says she has been given a “new lease of life”.
Poor memory
Gladys is 67 and lives alone, but is developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. She had been going to the cash-machine with her cards but eventually could not recall the PIN or whether she had been to the machine. Although Gladys receives a full care package to allow her to remain in her home, her care-worker is not permitted by the agency to handle her cash or debit cards.
As a result, before taking up the Money Guardians service, Gladys was unable to have any cash to allow her to buy extras and pay for what she wanted. Although Gladys has adequate capital and a good pension, she had not been making use of these as she had forgotten the extent of her resources and felt that, as she had no cash, she must be struggling financially.
A cash delivery every two weeks means that Gladys now has control of at least one part of her life – her money.
Disability and little knowledge of benefits
Joyce is a diabetic: then she had the first of two heart attacks, and lost her job. She despaired that her way of life would collapse and became depressed and stopped caring for herself. When Money Guardians first came to work with Joyce, following a referral from the community mental health team, she only vaguely knew of the existence of the benefit system as her good job had meant she had never claimed before. We helped her fill out all the application forms for a range of disability benefits and grants, and found all the documents required.
She was awarded the benefits, even though she had a considerable amount of savings, as well as being considered for sheltered accommodation. We then drew up a new personal budget plan so that Joyce could see how much money she had coming in on top of her savings. With all the stress finally in the past, she realised she had enough funds to take her family on holiday for the first time in years. She is now happier, much healthier, and no longer needs a regular service from Money Guardians.
Worry about being a burden
Peter lives in Reading and was worried that he couldn’t visit his grandmother, Mabel, as regularly as he had been, now that his twins had arrived. He was concerned that their time together was consumed with boring issues like payment of bills and bank statements, when he really just wanted to talk about the twins.
Mabel, 87 who lives in Brighton, was also frustrated that their visits were taken up with financial issues and too little time was spent talking about family matters – such as the new twins. Mabel was particularly worried that if she was seen as a burden rather than a granny, the visits might stop altogether. Mabel wanted to make a local arrangement rather than continuing to rely on her grandson to manage her finances and was delighted when she found a leaflet describing Money Guardians service at her local day-care centre.
An older woman whose husband has recently died
When she was younger Monica and her husband shared responsibility for the family finances, but as they grew older, he took on most of this aspect of their lives. After her husband had died it was obvious that Monica had lost her confidence in her ability to manage her money. Bills didn’t get paid and essentials were not arranged.
Her children are grown up and have moved away and have families of their own, and she did not want to rely on relatives or friends to help her. She contacted Money Guardians and had a free initial appointment during which her adviser gave her debt and benefit advice, free of charge.
The advisor made sure Monica was claiming all the welfare benefits she was entitled to, that there were no unmanageable debts and gathered information about her finances. Later on she was helped to draw up a budget so that she knew how much disposable income she had and what was needed for bills.
Monica also needed some adaptations to her home and her adviser helped her make an appointment with a Home Improvement Agency. She chose the Money Guardians Bronze Service, at £20 per month, which she felt suited her wish to have access to skilled and impartial advice. She could also have help to make sure one or two of her essential bills, that she had fallen behind with, were being paid.
She now feels more in control and independent. Monica is reassured that even if later on she finds she can manage alone, she can do so. She can always come back to Money Guardians as she needs it.
Her children also have the peace of mind that their mother has found a service that can provide her with completely independent and professional help: tailored to ensure it is just as much or as little as she needs.
* These case studies are genuine but anonymous, the photos are models.
