My Mom (86) with Alzheimer's was living in her home with my brother in another state who never lived on his own. He put the money in a brokerage account and he is spending the interest for himself.
I went to see her, there was severe neglect. rotting food, soiled clothing and linens.She is very frail and trying to fend for herself.
I brought her back to my home and am caring for her, and we both work. Our salaries have drastically been reduced due to the time to care for her.
He had nurses coming in and stated that he "lied" about her sugar levels. She was living on peanut butter, V8 juice and Glucerna.
He would cook for himself, and not feed her. He stated "he could not figure out why she was still alive"
We are struggling emotionally and financially to care for her, and the interest would be extremely helpful for her care.
My husband and I are not in the best of health, and we need to get the money matter straightened out, so she will be cared for, in case of our death, or inability to care for her.
My brother does not work, will work for a little while, then says he has "found out how to work the system" living off food stamps, welfare and my mothers money.
Her blood sugar has significantly improved, and blood pressure also. Her blood sugar was 175 - dangerous blood sugar spikes while staying with my brother. I have her blood sugar to under 120, and blood pressure is under control. We have a PCP doctor for her. Also her toenails were 3 inches long. We have taken her to a podiatrist to keep a watch on them.
Cannot afford an attorney. Do I go with help in my state, or her state where the fraud was committed. There are some agencies that are aware of the neglect, according to him. Never know if he is being truthful.
We tried to take care of her in our home 2011, but my brother was in control of all her money, and we started having financial problems.
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Yes, go to APS and a social worker before you do anything but I suspect you should be looking into attorneys on this, as well. My mother didn't have much money but we used a little of her money for an attorney and the advice we got was worth every dime. Your brother might come up with all sorts of claims and only a lawyer will be able to help you on some of it.
In fact, there was some question I asked about selling my Mom's house that I asked of her locality regarding clearing the title and they point-blank told me I had to ask a lawyer. So, there will probably be times when you'll need one.
DOCUMENTATION will be required regardless of whether you get any attorney or just go thru APS. I hope you took photos of those 3 inch long toenails. I hope you got a video of brother's home being such a mess & rotten food. Otherwise it becomes "he says she says" and in US it is innocent til proven guilty. I am hoping for your mom's sake that you DO have the documentation which is beyond doubt. Otherwise things could turn into a Guardianship court case where mom could be committed to a nursing home (not of your choice).
She is very frail and trying to fend for herself - Elderly mentally frail - high vulnerability
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He put the money in a brokerage account and he is spending the interest for himself - financial abuse unless there is a written agreement re his care of her
Rotting food - neglect/abuse
Soiled clothing - neglect/abuse
Soiled linens - neglect/abuse
He "lied" about her sugar levels. She was living on peanut butter, V8 juice and Glucerna - Abuse and neglect
He would cook for himself, and not feed her. He stated "he could not figure out why she was still alive" - Predetermined abuse and neglect mental and physical and probably emotional too
Brother says he has "found out how to work the system" living off food stamps, welfare and my mothers money. - Financial exploitation
Some agencies that are aware of the neglect, according to him. Never know if he is being truthful. - hmm I am not a gambler and I would bet they don't
We tried to take care of her in our home 2011, but my brother was in control of all her money, and we started having financial problems - TIME TO ACT
Does that helpo you decide what to do hun - the good Lord forbid that he should ever get to her again or her assets you have to act. If you and your partner were to become suddenly ill it is imperative he doesn't get charge of her again
This may not apply in your case, your mom's case may be different. Thank you for already rescuing your mother from what sounds like neglect.
If your brother is listed as rep payee, then he is getting that income also. Since you have Mom, Soc. Sec. should cooperate with you. There needs to be a fiduciary accountability and a Power of Attorney (POA). Go to the nearest legal self help, often located at the courthouse. Start with where you are at, keep caring for Mom, and address the fraud later, as you are able. You can have brother removed as POA.