Just re-read your post JO8, you do have a bee in your bonnet! I am NOT hankering after my mother's money, in fact the opposite. I could have POA if she agreed but she wouldn't understand what it meant. It's not that she is suffering from dementia its just that my mother is a simple soul who couldn't even write a cheque when dad passed away 30 years ago. He handled all the money and she still finds it hard to understand that the money is, in fact, hers and not the banks. She feels guilty when she takes some out, getting better at it now but she really isn't that worldly wise in these matters.
I do have money for our holiday, again, it was said tongue in cheek. POA would ensure that she doesn't write cheques for random men on the phone who are trying to scam an old lady out of £2,000 or more.
Elegran thanks for support and I totally agree she needs to be with all her faculties to make the decision for at least two of us to be POA. If, for instance, she has to go into hospital (I hope not) for any length of time then how would her bills be paid? When my DDH was sedated for 5 weeks last year then not able to communicate to me his pin number I was very much without cash for a while. We do have separate accounts and I needed cash at one particular time (not to go on holiday I may add) As soon as he could write (very awkwardly ) I asked him his pin numbers.- THAT was when I knew he had no brain damage, he gave them to me straight away. (Or maybe he did have some temporary brain damage - giving ME his pin numbers 