I totally agree,and very sadly there was a case in my home town of a very respectable person helping a neighbour , but when the neighbour died the family who lived a great distance away discovered what they felt were discrepancies .
It was possible the person being helped was forgetful but how foolish of the helper to act on the verbal wishes of an old ill person, as it resulted in them appearing in court ,their reputation in ruins and they broken.
Being a neighbour of many years standing is no guarantee either way.
Things financial need legal agreements.
That said what a pity to hesitate in giving help.
I have my neighbour’s key,but on the odd occasion whenI have been concerned I have been able to contact her daughter who works some distance away, more than an hour, and said Your Mum is not answering the phone do I have your permission to go in?.she phones her Mum and if
no,answer then yes please go in.
My neighbour has short term memory loss so what she says will be forgotten a little while later.So a verbal agreement needs to be between all the family and me too.But I do not have to deal with money matters ,just day to day keeping an eye on things.
I always make sure I open the door ,wait on the threshold and say is it OK to come in ,you are not answering your phone.
It is worrying though, I feel very sure an able neighbour is perfectly OK,but—- not fair to him to just have an informal arrangement .
Not come to that as yet as my son is reasonably near and
I know I am fortunate in that.
Thank goodness for RootsChat and it’s lovely posters.
I hope you all keep safe and well .
I think, catching the tail end of a radio programme that trials have started with the mixture of Malaria and HIV vaccines it is hoped
will deal with Corona Virus.
Correct me if I am wrong ,
Cheerio everyone.
Viktoria.
