Hello, I have a nice lady living next door to my mother's home and she needs help. How do I go about getting legal rights to help her?

Your desire to aid the neighbor is very noble but I have to agree (from personal experience) that you are unaware of what you would be getting into if you took her into your home or even attempted to manage her care. Another issue is that there's 2 of them and I assume they're close in age.

Often people with dementia or cognitive decline seem quite "normal" to people who don't live with them. They are confused about things that happen (or didn't happen). Many on this forum will tell you how their own mothers accuse them over and over of stealing items and money. Some have called the police on the very people providing their excellent care. I'm saying that the $10K floor story and physical abuse could be completely a figment of her dementia. You have no way of knowing.

If you really want to help her/them I would see if there's adult children or any relative in proximity to them. If you find any let them know what's going on. They may or may not assume a caregiving role but let them be the ones to call APS, if necessary. Definitely call 911 in any medical or criminal emergency. If you don't locate any relatives then contact social services and report the situation (APS).

What exactly do you know about this family? Have you discussed this situation with your fiancé? Having an elderly person move in is not an ideal way to start off a marriage.

Your heart may be in the right place but you simply don’t have all of the facts. Things aren’t always as they appear to be.

Have you spoken to her sisters to hear their side? Does the elderly woman have all of her facilities? Can you trust her words to be valid?

There is a lot to consider. If you have strong suspicions about her safety then speak to someone in authority about it.

Wishing you all the best.

You say both elderly neighbors are in need of care. Why would you help one, and go against the other?

Call APS and become less involved, allowing other family or professionals to bring help. It takes persistence, reporting to family if you see them. imo.
The fire department advised that a neighbor would have to fall and need 911 before an intervention was done for my neighbor, in decline. She did fall outside, and 911 came, her son stepped up and took her to a board and care facility.

I was someone who cared too much. You have a good heart, but maybe need to back off a bit. Here's my advice to you, for consideration:
🚑🚑🚑🚑 "NO good deed goes unpunished." 🚑🚑 💞

Report the sisters to Adult Protective Services let them take this on.
You do NOT want to get into this.
If you hear yelling or screaming you can call 911 and report that someone is calling for help, seems to be in need of help and you can let the police handle it as well.
You do not want to take this on.
If there is a local Senior Center you can go in and ask to talk to a Social Worker, you can ask if they can help in any way.
You do not want to take this on.

Have I mentioned you really should not get involved in this.? (other than to report the situation)
I am sure you have your hands full helping your mom.

ladysummer - your elderly neighbor is not a puppy that you can just take and bring into your house to live. You sound quite uninformed and naïve as to what it takes to care for a needy elderly.

How do you know the sister took $10,000 to redo her floor? Even if that's true, how is that your business to stop? Maybe it was done for very good reason. Say, the floor was uneven and in bad condition and was a fall hazard. It's a very good idea to redo the floor.

If you really want to help, then come to visit and help out the two sisters Be VERY SURE that there's physical abuse BEFORE you call authority. Otherwise, you're just looking to cause troubles.

Call APS immediately.  Tell them they need to talk to Margaret alone and she wants to go into nursing home

DO NOT bring the woman into your home. Its hard enough caring for family let alone someone you really don't know. My Mom had the same neighbor for over 50 yrs and no way would I bring her into my home. Help her to find resources, point her in the right direction yes but never bring her in your home. There are so many ramifications. One, if it doesn't work and she has been there for a while, then she is a tenant and you have to evict her. She could end up being 24/7 care, are you willing to give up your life for a virtual stranger? Then there is your relationship. Goid marriages have been strained by taking care of a parent/s. You will lose your privacy. No good deed goes unpunished. Sounds harsh but happens more than not.

You need to call APS to investigate. Maybe they can step in and find the woman a place of her own and help with resources.

You may want to consider doing this after you are married.

Call APS to have them investigate. I don't think I would move her in with you. Caring for an elderly person is a huge responsibility. You are very caring and I am sure that you would want to do your best but I think she has the right idea of wanting to be placed in a facility. Let professionals care for her. They have an entire staff to do it.

Please keep up posted as to what is going on with her. Sending her good thoughts. I wish everyone had a neighbor as sweet as you are.

I must say I question your judgement (though not your heart) in considering bringing an elderly and needy neighbor into the home of your fiance and yourself.
How long have you known this neighbor and watched the ongoing saga unwind next door?
I am also a bit curious about how it is your know so very much about what is happening next door? Who is telling you about the physical abuse?
Who is telling you about the amounts and who is paying to re-do floors?
If you suspect physical abuse it is time to call 9ll at once.
If you suspect ongoing abuse by the sister please make a report to your local Adult Protective Services.
Please rethink becoming so involved in a neighbor's life that you attempt to take an unrelated elder into your own home.

You have a HUGE heart--however, inviting this woman to move in with you--I guess I am really jaded nowadays, but I think that is asking for trouble.

Call APS immediately and talk to them. Be willing to be an ADVOCATE for this woman, but again, don't take her in.

The chances of you, a neighbor, having any say in this lady's situation is practically nil, b/c she does have relatives. You can keep an eye on her, run in a meal now & then, but beyond that--tread carefully.

You can start by calling Adult Protective Services in Glendale and express your concerns. Adult Protective Services are social services provided to abused, neglected, or exploited older adults and adults with significant disabilities.