DEAR ABBY: My father is 85 and has dementia. I'm having a problem with relatives who want him to sign papers for property and medical supplies he can't use. They say that Dad OK'd them over the phone. What do I do? -- WORRIED DAUGHTER IN MONTANA
DEAR WORRIED DAUGHTER: Consult an attorney, preferably one with expertise in elder law, in order to safeguard your father's assets. You may also need to contact your father's physician, who can explain to the attorney to what degree your father's dementia has progressed and whether he is competent to be signing documents. Do not put this off -- do it now.