I'm caring for my 87 year old mom who has dementia. When she can't have her way she calls social services and lies about her treatment.
My mother is not nursing home material because she is too combative.
How do I protect myself from these people.
I have full POA. What questions should I not answer due to my rights.
I am so sick of calculating how much I spend on bananas so I average 78 cents every 3 days with 7 days in a week (1.56 for 6 days) rounded up to 2.00 per week because I have to buy the banana for the 7th day which usually comes from Starbucks x 52 weeks a year=104 per year. APS is certainly not going to ask about bananas but there are just some things that I just have pre calculated. (In all honesty I probably buy 2 bananas per week from Starbucks at $1 ea so my calculation is right on. I save every receipt.
I think I will be able to write off alot of mom's expenses as by law the expenses but total something like 1/2 of the carers income: I have been unemployed for 2 years so I think I will qualify. Good luck to you
Look at NH facilities which are overseen (albeit poorly) by the state. They also receive both state and federal funds. As a result said NH are required to provide a certain level of care including a designated amout of activities. You can good NH regulations federal and you will see what a NH is expected to provide. That can help you determine where you could be lacking (likely not).
If they are indeed asking you questions it would be interesting to know what they are and how this squares up with your civil rights as a citizen of this country caring for a parent.
By and large I believe APS is looking for the things that I mentioned at the beginning. They might also want to know who cares for your mom if you need to go out of the home for an appointments, grocery shopping (safety)--in other words is your mom being left alone for periods of time (which could very well be unsafe). Are there physician reports about any bed sores (not re positioning a LO often enough) is the perineal area kept clean and dry (it should be); is she forced to take a bath/shower (these tasks can traumatize someone with dementia). Do you have a fire exit emergency plan/smoke detectors, gas shut off valve and wrench. How do contain/prevent infection? Is there an odor in the home; is the home clean and safe? Are throw rugs and other tripping hazards removed? Is your mom supervised long enough to light the stove/microwave and start a fire. Do you have fire extinguishers in the home?
Medications and how you keep them away from her/how is she monitored for medication.
I think if you follow what is here and adhere to what is expected of federally funded and state funded regulations you will be fine; I make that assumption because I don't have a clue what questions they would be asking.
When mom came to live with me any household item from vinegar to XXX was removed and placed in a rubber maid 30 gal trashcan which I placed right out my back door. My mom wasn't told what I was doing and didn't have a clue what the can was for; she never asked and I never reported what it was used for. I removed everything that was unedible in the bathrooms and kitchen/washrooms . Clothes soap in the form of those pods appear to look like candy to children and therefore could do the same thing to someone with dementia. Things like dish soap which comes in very pretty drinkable colors was place out of sight/out of reach for mom. Safety proof your home.
I'm sure you are fine.