On Tuesday, mom called me to ask my opinion regarding her signing up for an automobile extended warranty plan. This question was based on a notice that she received in the mail pressuring her to purchase this “protection” for her car before it expired. Here is our conversation:

MOM:  Hi Patti, I have a question for you. 

ME: Ask away.

MOM: Do you know anything about this extended warranty company (she tells me the name)?

ME: An extended warranty on what?

MOM: My car. It says that I only have five days left to add a plan to cover any repairs on my car over the next 6 years. 

ME: Well, your car is a 3 year lease (not to mention that you no longer drive due to your vascular dementia). My guess is that it’s a scam, but I will check it out for you. 

MOM: Darn! I already signed up for it. 

ME: Not a problem, I will be over to cancel it for you this afternoon.

As I realized early in mom’s diagnosis, it is better to calmly address and rectify the situation, than yell and scream about why someone who doesn’t own her car, can no longer drive, and whose lease is up in a year, would sign up for a $2,500 extended warranty plan.

Note to self: come up with a way to filter, better yet, prevent her from getting junk mail.