Help for my mum

[Chistory]

Hello, I’m writing this out of desperation; I don’t know who can help me, but thanks in advance to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

My family think that my mum has a mild learning disability. She was born in 1959, and all that my family have been told about the birth is that it was a difficult pregnancy. Although not sure, we think this may have led to her having a mild learning disability.

I was never told and never suspected that she might have a learning disability until relatively recently. I used to think that her paying money to people in response to letters she would receive through the post promising her that she would become a millionaire was her just being gullible; however, I don’t think that anymore. I think she might have a mild learning disability, and she is being financially exploited by scammers taking advantage of her, and I don’t know what to do and who to turn to. She lies to me and my brother when we try to confront her about the amounts of money she spends on these scams, so we never fully know whether we get the full story or not.

I have just moved to the States this year, and I need to help my mum, and I need to support my brother, who still lives in the U.K, in helping my mum. Please help. Thanks.

[Sarah_Health_Policy Survey]

Hi Chistory

First of all, I'd really recommend giving the learning disability helpline a ring for a chat - 0808 808 1111. They can help you to talk some of the issues through.

Think Jessica is an organisation that specialises in supporting people understand scamming, and what to do about it, definitely worth a look: thinkjessica.com/help-advice/. Age UK also have lots of resources around scamming ageuk.org.uk/information-ad... and they also have a helpline. If your mum does have a mild learning disability, you might want to think about finding some more accessible resources around scamming to help her understand better. Videos might be more helpful than written information - have a look at this one for example: youtube.com/watch?v=f7QnteC...(Not working as expected?).

Hope that's all helpful.

Sarah

[Chistory in reply to Sarah_Health_Policy]

Hello, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Thanks very much for your response.

I contacted Mencap who said I should contact social services. I did that and social services can’t seem to help without getting a diagnosis of a learning disability/difficulty, and the fact that my mum gave over her money voluntarily.

I will look at the other resources you provided. Thanks again.