POA overstepping boundaries

[Middle1]

Hi all. My estranged sibling is POA. She thinks she is the Chief of Police with all her treats to me. She bought my mom an I-phone to use years ago, and since she paid for it and it's under her contract, sibling calls it her phone, not mom's phone. Therefore, she thinks she can do whatever she wants with said phone. This cell phone is mom's only contact to the outside world within her 4 walls where she newly resides at an assisted living facility. Mom had a landline but sibling took it away from her. Mom has mild+ Dementia but is not incompetent. I believe sibling may have put a tracker on the phone mom has because she and I have been seeing a "companion - location being detected" note showing up )what does this do anyway?). This is a new popup and mom doesn't know why it's suddenly happening. In addition, sibling blocked mom's love ones.

Mom's good friend tried calling my mom for 2 weeks and the phone went straight to voice mail. Not only this friend, but 3 other numbers were blocked (2 were my landline and husband's cell). This sibling doesn't like any of us for selfish reasons. When I had mom's permission to check her phone, I unblocked all numbers. I told mom about the blocks and she was really angry as she didn't know this was done. Thing is, by the next day, she forgot what I told her so she can't say anything to the daughter who is controlling the phone. I am estranged from this nasty, mean sibling so we don't communicate unless it's mom related and important and when I sent her a text about it, I got no reply. When sibling saw that I had unblocked, she sent a threatening text saying "if anyone fiddles with the phone, she will press charges because it's invasion of privacy and she owns the phone (but it's for mom to use).

Is this even legal? Is this considered elder abuse to block people that mom loves from getting in touch with her. Sibling doesn't like any of us (the blocked people). I feel this is overstepping POA boundaries. 

[KellytheBelly]

Unless you seek to revoke the POA via legal action, there is nothing that can be done in your situation (please note I am no legal eagle). Your mother set up the POA. This does not seem to be elder abuse. For your mother's sake, stay out of it. You are creating rifts among family, and your mother doesn't seem fully coherent to understand what's going on. Reading between the lines, this story is lacking some other details that would connect the dots. POAs have the final say-so, until this is legally changed. I would research, further, how you can counteract your estranged sibling's POA, legally. I'm sure this would be for you to retain a family will, estate, etc... lawyer. Have you discussed this with the administration at the assisted living facility where your mother currently resides? Much luck to you. 

[Therapist4u]

Hi @Middle1

In a situation like this you could get your mom a no contract prepaid phone & see how she likes it .... she can add only the loved one’s to her contacts list she trusts & knows & is comfortable with

hope that helps