[oweirdo]

I have a problem with a neighbor of ours. Mama Taylor as she is lovingly know. She is 80+ and some "family friends" took her into their house. Well she sold her house, and built a room for herself on the back of the friends house. She used her money to build it, and put in an AC/heater, very small kitchenette. More like a coffee pot, microwave and toaster oven. These "family friends" run her bank accounts, after paying for her meds and insurance they take the rest of her S.S. check, as rent. Leaving her with less than $20 for the month. She is not allowed to eat in her room, nor use the heater/AC, depending on the season. She is not allowed out of her room during the day, except to pick up her meals on wheels, and they had better not knock on the door. She has to wait outside for them, even when its cold and rainy. So she does not eat breakfast, has her meal for lunch, and they don't fix supper until 8 pm or after. So most nights she does not eat supper either.
Last week no one would stop by the Walgreens to pick up her RX's. So she went a few days without her heart meds, and had a stroke Saturday night, then more in the hospital. The lady she lives with is her caretaker, she gets paid to help her in the day time. However she cares for some one else at night, so she does nothing for Mama Taylor during the day. She has been turned in for this once already, but no one seems to care.
Should I talk to one of the nurses at the hospital before they release her? Or should I find someone else to talk to? I don't want her to go back to this house after these strokes

[Alejandros Mommy]

Wow...this is abuse. In all ways. I would report them and I would also call your local senior advocate agency if you get brushed off again. We are all going to get old...heaven help us if there's no one to stand up for us.

[mcmama]

Yes, I would talk to the nurses, since hospital personnel are mandated reporters of abuse. I think it works this way for adults too.

Also contact your local office for senior services and ask what can be done. If you don't have something like this, call the AARP and ask where you can report suspected elder abuse in your area.

[QueenAngie]

Definitely tell the nurses and the social worker at the hospital,
dept of aging, elder abuse. This is a horrible thing to have happen to a dear lady in her golden years.

She is being neglected and abused.

Please keep us posted.

[oweirdo]

I will go tomorrow, and talk to her nurse. I hope something better happens, she deserves so much more!

[JeanLynn81]

Wow. This just breaks my heart. As a child I had some neighbors who treated their mother horribly. So as a child, instead of spending my whole day playing, I would spend half the day at her house helping her out.

You should definately tell the nurses at the hospital about it. Contact the elderly abuse hotline and find out if there's anything else you can do. Honestly, if they do anything, she will wind up at a nursing home, but she will be MUCH better off. She'll be fed and get her meds on time.

And actually, now that I think about it, if she is left with any serious or disabling side effects from the stroke, she may have to go in a home anyways.

So do your best. If she winds up back at that house, maybe there are things you can do to help. If you see her standing outside in the cold waiting for her meal, offer to let her come in, and wait at your door for it. Maybe you could talk to the guys who deliver it, and say if they don't see her standing outside, she'll be there and they are more than welcome to knock on your door. She could eat her lunch there. Elderly people get lonely sometimes. Maybe spending some time over there would help. Also, when you see her outside, maybe offer her a package of oreos or something she could hide in her room for a snack. She has to eat more.

Good for you for noticing and sticking up for her! You are such a good person!

[oweirdo]

we have tried to get her to move in with mom. During the summer evening she comes over to visit with mom, they both love Wheel of Fortune. Her keepers wont let people come in, come over. They sleep during the day and cant be bothered by the noise.
Luckily so far there has not been any major side effects, the left hands were tingly today, but had feeling. other than the huge busted eyebrow, she seems fine. I feel so bad for Mama Taylor, she spent her life caring for this lady's child, and many others as well. And now no one really seems to care.......

[JeanLynn81]

Why won't she move in with your mom?

I'd be willing to bet that those people got her thinking all she is, is a burden. Such a shame. Especially when, as you say, she's taken care of people her whole life. Such a sad shame.