She is covered in feces and won't get in the shower. She resisted me for hours about changing her clothes and she sits and won't move for days on a dirty, dirty couch. She leaves her poise pads on for days at a time, won't shower for weeks at a time. She is here with me all day and my mother is here all night. I'm at a loss. I'm pregnant with my first kid and I can't be around these overwhelming smells of urine and feces. I've tried everything but social services, but I'm at that point. She used to have accidents but now she just blatantly doesn't care and it is becoming a SERIOUS heath concern. She also isn't eating, smokes a lil over a pack a day sometimes with copd on top of I'm sure other chronic lung disorders, and receives no treatment. She has osteoporosis and had hairline fractures in her spine years ago and was specially fitted for a back brace and as soon as we got home she took it off. At this point she has no hygiene she has no diet and she is refusing any type of health related help and I just dont know what to do. One thing I won't do though and sit here and watch her kill herself. Please if anybody has any advice or any contact information I live in the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania... Please reach out.... Thank y'all for your time...
Isn't that a bit like having the house on fire and saying you've tried everything except the fire brigade?
You have an elder whose health and wellbeing are at serious risk because of self-neglect. She is a vulnerable adult at risk. Wouldn't it be a really good idea to get an opinion, at least, from Adult Protective Services?
What makes you so hesitant to do that? Is it the stigma?
to the poster I say 1. Please know she is refusing because she has some form of dementia. It’s NOT her fault though it’s so hard when she refuses! Try to have sympathy. 2. please try a caregiver and 3. call her family physician and see what sort of “home health” options they can provide that Medicare will cover! Start with nursing- and Occupational Therapy (they evaluate what assistance someone needs to toilet?. explain the situation may me they can help.
lastly, people are freaking out too much about your health my god it’s just diapers, you will have plenty soon enough;)
I have a toddler and my mother woth dementia who just passed was 88. I FEEL YOU
You have been reported for the use of very foul language--frankly, I don't know how you snuck that post past the admins.
NOBODY attacked you or your mothering skills.
This is a serious problem and a bad situation you've gotten into. You need to either A: deal with what it and accept it and not complain or B: get some help, through APS or whomever.
Grandma is more than incapable of caring for herself. If she is not bothered by sitting in her own feces for a month, then that's NOT Ok, not by anyone's standards.
You state you came up 'here' to get help and to give it.
I highly doubt you can do anything for grandma. Save yourself. And that baby. I am glad you quit smoking--it's one of THE worst things for a developing baby.
And--don't bite the hands that feed you. We're trying to help and you blew up.
have you called her doctor to report the issues?
Has your granny prepared her Will and POA?
I do not know whose house you and granny live in, but it is time for you to move away. If CPS was called and told you had an infant in this filth, your newborn could be removed from the home.
And yes a needs assessment is required and a call to APS.
Heather, it is quite true that social services including APS can't force your grandmother to accept care or treatment if she refuses it and is of sound mind. But they can at least assess her situation, assess whether she can in fact be said to be of sound mind, and talk to her about her options. Her severe self-neglect has causes, she isn't prepared to discuss those causes with you or your mother, and she's fighting you. You need professional allies!
I'm perhaps more used to be sworn at than most posters - I'm only surprised that more of the clients we work with don't resort to cursing considering what they're often going through - but I have to agree that it won't help. But more to the point, don't attack people who are on your side!
Josie was correct in that OP’s mother and grandmother evidently don’t care that she is pregnant and can’t be around smoke, pee, and poop. A baby definitely can’t! It’s a bad situation all around.
It sound like this is getting to be more than you and your mom can handle.
You have a couple options.
Get help in that can help you care for grandma
OR
Look for a Memory Care facility where she can be cared for 24/7.
Neither easy decisions. While grandma may want to stay at home and or not have “strangers come in to help” sometimes it is not possible.
I would do 3 things:
1. Remove myself.
I would immediately start moving out - to a friend or relative's couch until I found more permanent safe, clean accommodation.
2. Have a family chat. Go visit when Mom is home & have a serious chat. Is all this new? Or steadily gotten worse? Maybe Grandma just wants to die at home...? What they tell you may influence the outcome.
3. Seek help.
Get professionals involved as CountryMouse advised.
To do this I would not hesitate to call EMS for an urgent health assessment.
Hospice assessment.?
Geriatric mental health assessment?
(Although unless Grandma is violent to self or others she may not be admitted for that).
Maybe you guys can start a reality show? Add an incontinent dog to complete the lineup?
Either that or grow up and move out, but that actually takes a bit of effort.
And yes, it CAN be a little frustrating around here once in a while, but as I ALWAYS SAY, decisions (comments) based on love and respect can’t ever go too far wrong.
If Grandmom is not diagnosed as incompetent and is not posing an immediate threat to herself, you are quite correct in that APS will not be able to "force" her into a facility although it is possible that they might be able to get her a 72 psychiatric evaluation which could be helpful to all involved. Not sure how many facilities will jump at the chance to tackle Grandmom and of course, there is always the question of how a placement in a facility would be handled (particularly if she is not on Medicaid). It would definitely be worth your while to at least call APS (but move out before you do). You could also call the Philly Office on Aging to see if they have any suggestions for your Grandmom but they are definitely going to suggest that you leave that unhealthy environment.
Wishing you luck and peace in this journey with your Grandmom and hopes for a bright future for your unborn.