Father doesn't care about his financial situation but bills need to be paid. Yet he doesn't want anyone to have access to pay the bills. If he doesn't let us help he cannot live on his own. He doesn't comprehend the issues yet won't go into assisted living.
Is the breaker box where you could turn it off for a few hours without him knowing?
You could get on the phone in front of him and call the utilities and say
“My father has dementia. He won’t pay his bills. How long will it be before the power is disconnected? We are trying to plan accordingly. How much will it cost him to have the power cut back on?
Whats that you say? He will have to put on automatic pay from his checking account!”
If that doesn’t work, then you will probably have to wait until he causes enough problems for himself that you can gain guardianship. Don’t rescue him. Don’t argue. Just let it happen so he can understand sooner if he’s able.
Of course you would want to get buy in from other family members if they are apt to come along and save the day.
I think this could be the time of the year in Montana to do without power for a bit?
Im sure you’ll get more sane suggestions. I’ve seen people spend a long time on this and go through lots of angst when they need to recognize that he has a right not to pay his bills.
But he should also take some of the consequence and not have family jumping through the hoops to straighten it out so he can just do it all over again.
Find his flashlights and put them where they are handy.
Just dont you pay the bill.
Also, I agree that you cannot force him to allow you to handle his finances especially if you keep bringing up the subject very frequently. He must be very proud and has probably taken care of himself all his life. Being told he can no longer do so is emasculating to him. You may have to wait until his utilities are disconnected, sad to say.
You could say that there is a new law that anyone over 65 needs to have one of their children's names on their checking account to prevent fraud. Or whatever fib you think might work.
Whenever it came to money, my Dad's ears would perk up big time. I found that my Dad wasn't paying his bills, either. I found current bills in the recycling bin, and in the wastebasket. I gathered them and had the billing address changed.
Hopefully you can get to that point where the bank can add your name to Dad's checking account so you can pay his bills. Who has financial Power of Attorney, or does Dad not have Power of Attorney? If not, again try a "theraputic fib".
I had to use a "fib" to get my parents to update their Wills. I told Dad that the way his old Will was written, the State would get half, laws have changed... my folks quickly made an appt with my Elder Law Attorney :)