A hot young babe wouldn’t take advantage of the elderly….would she?
Dad’s girlfriend younger than daughter
Dear Doug:
My mother suffers from Alzheimer’s and was placed in a home about five years ago. My dad, 75, regularly visits her, despite becoming involved with a 40-year old woman a few years ago. I understand his need for companionship, but the age difference is troubling and, worse, he gives her money. She claims she has had numerous cancers and other ailments, yet has no visible scars. My siblings and I think this woman may be using my dad to pay for cosmetic surgeries and that she is cheating on dad. What advice can you offer short of hiring a private detective?
Signed,
Older than would-be step-mom
. . . .
Dear Codependent,
Other columnists might suggest that if dad is of sound mind, he may have a good idea what his money is really paying for and that he has a right to see whoever he wants unimpeded by you and your siblings. They might accuse you of not liking this woman, but suggest you should simply have him talk to his financial planner to make sure she doesn’t steal his life’s savings.
What? Let this gold-digging tramp get away with it? Sure, dad’s no doubt having the time of his life with a (relatively) hot young babe. That’s no reason to fail to thoroughly investigate. Enormous age differences usually (but not always) include an alcoholic on one side or the other of an age divide this wide. You need to insure there are enough funds to take care of your mother and if either your dad or the girl is an alcoholic, you can bet the money is being spent far more wildly than is visible to you. You don’t need a financial planner”you do need a private detective.
(Source for story idea: Annie’s Mailbox, July 16, 2008.)