Elderly client's health

[Jiggers]

When do you contact a family member that you suspect that their elderly parent is having some type of health problems that may be effecting their memory?

Client comes in yesterday to pick up his return. He asked that I go over it. I reviewed it in very detail because he seemed to be confused on some issues that should have been very clear. It appears that he may have had a small stroke or having signs of dimentia or Alzheimers.

I am concerned, but at the same time I have to remember the "disclosure" thing. I want to mention to his daughter, who I also have as a client, about my concerns for his health.

[JohnH]

I think you could alert the daughter to general issues about his inability to remember simple details without giving specifics about the financial aspects of the return. Just tell her you're ethically and legally bound to maintain confidentiality about specifics, but you observed enbough to know there's something amiss. More or less the same sort of conversation a concerned mechanic might have if he behaved in the same manner discussing his car, but less specific.

I agree it's a very fine line, but I've had a couple of conversations of this type with family members over the years. In one case everyone seemed inclined to bury their head in the sand, but I think the heads up at least helped them accept the inevitable when it became so obvious they couldn't deny it.

ANyone who has dealth with Alzheimers and the many other dementias knows they are very sinister illnesses that rob the individual of his/her ability to make rational decisions on a consistent basis. If I ever start exhibiting that type of behavior I hope ther will be a trusted friend willing to alert my family, even if I don't have the presence of mind at the time to appreciate what they are doing for me.

[Gretel]

I would talk to the daughter in general terms of your concern. Has really nothing to do with the tax return itself. You could have noticed same behavior pattern watching your client at a register of a supermarket.