My dad died four years ago at the age of 89. He and my mom were married for 69 years. Before he died he made me promise to let my mom stay in her home and I have power of attorney over my mother's affairs. My sister and brother wants her in a nursing home. We have two ladies from my mom's church that stay with her during the day from 10am til 2pm then again from 5pm until 8 pm every day. We can't afford to have someone with her 24/7 so she is by herself at night but sleeps well. She lives within five blocks from my wife and I. She plays like she doesn't remember things and to some extent I understand that. But she plays games with my sister. She acts like she can't walk without a walker but she does all the time when my sister isn't there. My mom's Dr. says she has "Dementia unspecified W/O behavioral disturbances" whatever the heck that means. Here is the problem I am coming here for help.
Recently she has been going outside, walking around during the day between the ladies being there. The neighbor calls my sister and tells her that mom is out and getting close to the street (without her walker). This has happened four times in the past couple of weeks. My sister is trying to get social service involved to force her into a home. I think my mom has a right to go outside her house but doesn't rise to being forced to move out of her home. She, my mom, said she would prefer to die than go to a nursing home.
Here are my questions. Can I find a way to prevent her from going outside? Am I wrong for letting her stay by herself at night? Is she better off at her home even if she gets hurt or in a nursing home where she may be abused? Can she be forced to move out of her house? This story is a lot more complicated that this rant tells but it should give someone more experienced that I am to give some thoughts.
Recently she has been going outside, walking around during the day between the ladies being there. The neighbor calls my sister and tells her that mom is out and getting close to the street (without her walker). This has happened four times in the past couple of weeks. My sister is trying to get social service involved to force her into a home. I think my mom has a right to go outside her house but doesn't rise to being forced to move out of her home. She, my mom, said she would prefer to die than go to a nursing home.
Here are my questions. Can I find a way to prevent her from going outside? Am I wrong for letting her stay by herself at night? Is she better off at her home even if she gets hurt or in a nursing home where she may be abused? Can she be forced to move out of her house? This story is a lot more complicated that this rant tells but it should give someone more experienced that I am to give some thoughts.