It is a very sad reality that sometimes a Brother, when he grows to be elderly, will start being taken advantage of financially or otherwise, by a loved one, or someone pretending to be a loved one.
Sometimes this abuse can go on for years.
Let’s just say, for sake of argument, that ‘Past Master Jake’ who is now elderly, and without all the faculties he had earlier in life, meets a ‘Sweet Young Thing.’ She starts showering him with attention, quickly moves in with him, and very soon begins ‘encouraging’ him to move assets from his name into hers. We likely don’t want to think about this, but it happens.
How can we, as a Lodge, best help ‘Past Master Jake?’
How can we help him when he is so under ‘Sweet Young Thing’s’ spell that he doesn’t even recognize what is happening?
In some cultures, such as the Satiaa tribe of Banjaras, when a baby is born, the friends and family will morn, then upon death, people celebrate with bright new clothing, perfumes and community feasts. No property is fought over because they don’t believe in ownership of the lands, and ideally, don’t hold on to possessions with desire (covertness). They work together for the community. Here in the West, when someone is getting close to death, in our capitalistic society, money grabbers line up. If a brother goes into a retirement home with a lot of money, he will be taken care of with a private room and as many specialists as possible will visit him. That is until his money runs out, then he will have a roommate and the minimum check-ins with staff.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t our state get rid of the Masonic retirement community? I say if Bro Jake has a sweet young thing to take care of him in his most time of need, good for him. What else are his options? I’ve seen the effects of the old and dying, and it’s not fun, and sometimes the wife of an aging husband cannot bear to take care of her husband because of the physical and emotional toll it can take.
From the above mentioned tribe of Banjaras' view on being born into a this reality, I think of a recent Masonic manuscript I've read, written by bro Captain George Smith (who is also mention several times by Bro Preston), titled “The Use and Abuse of Freemasonry” (1783). He outlines the Gnostic perspective of being born into a prison, and would recommend reading the part on ABRASAX. This document can be found on https://verity59.org/resources.html
Well, with the issue as presented, there are a lot of things to consider.
Where is his family? Children? Grandchildren? Spouse? Other relatives? If he's truly alone, whatever money he has is not going to anyone, and you can't take it with you. Is the concern by the lodge because they are thinking they should inherit everything (callous, I know)?
While I deplore people that take advantage of situations like this, I also kind of find it hard to condemn completely. The gentleman is alone. No one appears to care enough to provide that support for him. The "sweet young thing"' has misguided motives, but she is providing something he's not getting from anyone else, companionship and care. Is the lodge going to move in with him and take care of his daily needs? If not, then it's none of their business?
I think at the most, the brothers would visit and provide good council, but unless they suspect criminal activity (hard to prove in this case if he's still judged mentally capable to handling his own affairs) there is little they can or should do about it.
I concur with Brother Glen, “Well, with the issue as presented, there are a lot of things to consider. Where is his family? Children? Grandchildren? Spouse? Other relatives? If I may use the premise of the Blind Men & the Elephant, it appears that we approach situations from a reactive orientation vs a proactive contingency. We all have subjective and sometimes objective views. (using Stephen Covey’s model) There are families that are interdependent but I believe most families are independent i.e. dysfunctional family dynamics. This is to say more and more families do not communicate with their parents, hence no interdependency. I personally have experienced this and many folks I know, their children do not want anything to do with their aging parents. Yet when the pass they gather immediately, like vultures to see what they can inherit. On the other side of this coin, some Families have healthy interdependency and are Loving and Caring with their Families…(how can we promote this?) Brother Roy said this best, gratitude’s Brother Roy.
Regular scam reminders are important, as is reaching out to trusted friends or family members to compare notes.
Encouraging someone to get a health & financial power of attorney - before declines get serious - is often critical.
These ideas work if we have good, long-term relationships so we know what is normal and what is not, who is reliable and who is not.
In some cultures, such as the Satiaa tribe of Banjaras, when a baby is born, the friends and family will morn, then upon death, people celebrate with bright new clothing, perfumes and community feasts. No property is fought over because they don’t believe in ownership of the lands, and ideally, don’t hold on to possessions with desire (covertness). They work together for the community. Here in the West, when someone is getting close to death, in our capitalistic society, money grabbers line up. If a brother goes into a retirement home with a lot of money, he will be taken care of with a private room and as many specialists as possible will visit him. That is until his money runs out, then he will have a roommate and the minimum check-ins with staff.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t our state get rid of the Masonic retirement community? I say if Bro Jake has a sweet young thing to take care of him in his most time of need, good for him. What else are his options? I’ve seen the effects of the old and dying, and it’s not fun, and sometimes the wife of an aging husband cannot bear to take care of her husband because of the physical and emotional toll it can take.
From the above mentioned tribe of Banjaras' view on being born into a this reality, I think of a recent Masonic manuscript I've read, written by bro Captain George Smith (who is also mention several times by Bro Preston), titled “The Use and Abuse of Freemasonry” (1783). He outlines the Gnostic perspective of being born into a prison, and would recommend reading the part on ABRASAX. This document can be found on https://verity59.org/resources.html
Well, with the issue as presented, there are a lot of things to consider.
Where is his family? Children? Grandchildren? Spouse? Other relatives? If he's truly alone, whatever money he has is not going to anyone, and you can't take it with you. Is the concern by the lodge because they are thinking they should inherit everything (callous, I know)?
While I deplore people that take advantage of situations like this, I also kind of find it hard to condemn completely. The gentleman is alone. No one appears to care enough to provide that support for him. The "sweet young thing"' has misguided motives, but she is providing something he's not getting from anyone else, companionship and care. Is the lodge going to move in with him and take care of his daily needs? If not, then it's none of their business?
I think at the most, the brothers would visit and provide good council, but unless they suspect criminal activity (hard to prove in this case if he's still judged mentally capable to handling his own affairs) there is little they can or should do about it.
When i get old i hope someone will prevent me from doing this.
I concur with Brother Glen, “Well, with the issue as presented, there are a lot of things to consider. Where is his family? Children? Grandchildren? Spouse? Other relatives? If I may use the premise of the Blind Men & the Elephant, it appears that we approach situations from a reactive orientation vs a proactive contingency. We all have subjective and sometimes objective views. (using Stephen Covey’s model) There are families that are interdependent but I believe most families are independent i.e. dysfunctional family dynamics. This is to say more and more families do not communicate with their parents, hence no interdependency. I personally have experienced this and many folks I know, their children do not want anything to do with their aging parents. Yet when the pass they gather immediately, like vultures to see what they can inherit. On the other side of this coin, some Families have healthy interdependency and are Loving and Caring with their Families…(how can we promote this?) Brother Roy said this best, gratitude’s Brother Roy.