How many hours of care?

How many hours of care does my dad need? He’s 80 years old, lives alone and has trouble cooking his own meals and bathing.

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JOSEPHINE’S STORY: Caring so much

After her diagnosis of dementia, Josephine couldn’t live alone anymore.

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How do I get homecare for my Aunt?

My aunt was recently discharged from the hospital and received homecare for a few days. It really helped her and I’d like to arrange more. Would she qualify and who do I call?

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Welcome to my world

I have the major caregiver to both my parents for 14 years. My father died in 2000 and I have been looking after mom ever since. She had open heart surgery at the age of 85, she had a significant personality change. I also have a mentally challenged sister who has just been diagnosed with a rare lymphoma. To make matters worse, my brother, the alcoholic play boy has been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He has nothing to lose so he tried to sell my mothers’ land and he will not pay for the farm land that is in her name.

I am enduring power of attorney and he has legal charged me of changing my mother’s will, spending too much on her clothing and hair, and he thinks that I should not help our sister financially. So for the past 3 years, I have had to produce a receipt if I buy mom magazines, tips to the hair dresser etc. I am a 63 year old retired nurse living on a pension. The extra out of pocket money is mounting, because I need to produce financial spreadsheets etc. If mom passes, I just want to run away and work relief projects in Haiti or Bosnia wherever. My family thinks I am losing it. I have been the most responsible daughter and sister etc for years. I am dancing a daily ” jig” between resentment and guilt. What suggestions do you have? Am I too old to have a mid life crisis.

Thanks, Marilyn

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Richard’s call to ACTION

Stand up! Speak Up! Do not victimize yourself with your own silence.

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Selling Mom’s Condo

My brother and I have not talked in about 16 years and I noticed that he is selling her condo. I was reading the local paper and her condo is listed with real estate company. Mom has been in a nursing home for years and my brother is her POA.

Since I did not know that he is selling her place, when should I get my share?

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Getting Dad to specialist appointments

How can I arrange for someone to take my father to specialist appointments?

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JESSICA’S STORY: A trip to the movies

Grandma hasn’t really been out much since my grandpa moved to a nursing home to recover from surgery.

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Work vs. Mom. Help!

Mom has taken to phoning me a lot at work to discuss her health issues. I know she’s lonely and often doesn’t feel well, but my boss is not happy.

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Avoid Litigation with Proper Record Keeping

Many of us will agree to be an Attorney (the person who has been named in a Power of Attorney (“POA”) document) for a parent, relative or friend, or have already done so. However, we do so sometimes without really knowing what we are legally required to do once the time comes for us to…

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