legal issues with parent refusing care

[Teresa DT]

What is the name of your state? Arkansas

My mother is 89, living in her home alone and unable to care for herself properly. My siblings & I live out of state and cannot stay with her. She refuses to stay with us and her part time care provider has now contacted us that she doesn't need to live alone. Mom refuses to leave and full time care is not affordable. We have found a care facility that will take her near my sister's home. We must force the issue now, how do we do this? I know she will fight, will we have to take her to court? What can the state do? Any advice, suggestions,... will be appreciated.

 

[BlondiePB]

She refuses to stay with us and her part time care provider has now contacted us that she doesn't need to live alone.

Please clarify this statement.

 

[Teresa DT]

She wants to live in her home and no where else. She says that we don't have time for her because we all work and have our own families. She stayed with one sister for several months but all she talked about was going home. We live 5 hrs away from her, we took her home thanksgiving to visit and she would not leave. We hired a company to come in her home during the week and have a cousin who has been checking on her. Mom would not open the door for the care company employee twice this past week. Both the admin. from the care company and my cousin called on Thursday to tell us we needed to do something about her care. Mom falls quite frequently and so far has not hurt herself other than bumps and bruises. She has called 911 twice to go to the emergency room. The er doctor told her she didn't need to live alone. The last time the paramedics said they didn't need to take her to the hospital but she wanted to go, whereas they checked her out and released her an hour later. She wants us to live with her and take care of her, which just isn't possible. I was told by a friend last night that all we need was a written statement from a doctor and we would be able to take control. It is very hard to make her but it is for her own safety.

 

[BlondiePB]

I was told by a friend last night that all we need was a written statement from a doctor and we would be able to take control.

Your friend is wrong. You need to hire a lawyer in the county where mom lives and petition for guardian/conservator. If a guardian is appointed by the court, the guardian then has to petition the court to move mom out of that court's jurisdiction and move the guardianship to the juridiction where the guardian is moving her.

When placing elders in Assisted Living Facilities, it is very important to have some of their own furniture, etc. in the room. You could also place her in a ALF close to her home if that is possible.

 

[Teresa DT]

Thank you for your input. I've also been told that if we don't do something the state could step in and charge us with neglect. Is there any type of state/gov't agency that would step in?

 

[BlondiePB]

Is there any type of state/gov't agency that would step in?

Yes**************