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My Dad got married to his 3rd wife. He is disabled, completely bed ridden and has dementia. All he does his watch Westerns all day. I do not live with them. Under my cousins wise suggestion, I got POA about 5 years ago and voluntarily shared it with his wife. However, if there is any dispute or if she fails in her duties I can take over as full power of attorney. I have not interfered for about a decade unless it was to help her or him with everything. Recently, I have become concerned. I drive up from Georgia every few months. I put my foot down and made sure he had caretakers paid for by Medicaid in the home every day for 12 hours after one time, years ago, I came without warning and he was by himself laying in his pee at home. Recently, The nurse told me that there was no heat in the house. My dad was comfy with blankets and a space heater, but the heat was off. Then she just told me my step mother says she can't get him his medicine because its too expensive, its $3.89. I sent it via Amazon. Just to be clear they live off my dad's social security and its enough to cover the costs. He has a reverse mortgage and only have to pay utilities, food and taxes and insurance on the house. I think she's sending some of it back to her country. Which never was an issue for me until now. There is a cultural difference as my step mom only speaks Spanish and doesn't know our American culture very well. So I just want to be fair by saying that. However, last time I was up there she talked bad about me everyday on the phone in Spanish (I can understand enough) and the last day when I was trying to put a healthy meal plan together she kept interrupting me and arguing with me. Where she starts shouting in front of my 4 year old daughter shouting that he doesn't like that stuff. I was like he just ate strawberries and healthy stuff with me yesterday. Just have to find his threshold. I helped this woman adjust to our culture time and time again, and helped them out of so many issues with housing and more. I have defended her and everything. But that last interaction upset and alarmed me.


I will not go back to that house in that type of toxic environment. However, I am very, very concerned about my Dad. Last time I was there, I was like is someone going to make him dinner? (His caretakers are supposed to). They were like: he only eats breakfast. My dad was about 15 pounds lighter from the previous time I saw him.


I was like well then he needs to go to the doctor as he had colitis before and it almost killed him. This isn't good. Then I asked my Dad, he said he was hungry. My step mom then responds: Just give him some crackers and gets angry with me.


At this point I think its best to move my Dad here. In the POA it says he nominates the POA for guardianship consideration. I am afraid of going through court because it will alert her and after our interaction I wonder what her intentions are now towards my dad. And he is in such a vulnerable position. Can I just go get my Dad and bring him to my house here in GA. It would take a lot of planning, but I just dont feel comfortable. I called an elder abuse hotline and they told me just to go get him. They said there is no law stopping me from doing so. I just dont want to get him and the police show up at my door in Georgia.


They never take him to the doctor. Last time he was in the hospital I was the only one there with him besides his stepson until the 5th day. I think they are burned out, but that isn't my problem or my Dad's. IF they are burned out, let me go get him.


I don't have a ton of money to go find an attorney. And before you say it will be expensive taking care of my Dad, I have already thought of that. I can use his Social Security to pay for his care and I can figure out the rest.


Any insight?

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Get an evaluation from the Area Agency on Aging. Ask for their help to get dad situated in a proper care environment. You should be there to help with that. You may very well be right that step mom is sending money to other family members, it is part of that culture. Hopefully this will not cause problems with Medicaid. Medicaid will not pay for in home caregivers every day for 12 hours in most states.

Sounds like it is past time for you to get a handle on things. Don't take your children with you when you do that.
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Thank you.
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