Looking for advice on how to get my mother (who has dementia) back to her country
Dear community members,
I hope this message finds you well.
My name is Fernando. I am Brazilian, and I don't live in the US.
My mother has lived in Houston for more than thirty years. She became an American citizen a long time ago, and She never planned to leave the country.
However, She started presenting symptoms of memory loss and behavior change a few years ago. Despite my efforts to take her to a doctor (on my trips to Houston), She has refused to go, even knowing that her mental health was less than perfect. Her only concern was to make sure other people wouldn't notice (something that soon would prove to be mission impossible).
Her condiction recently worsened. She can no longer do her shopping or pay her bills, among other things. Besides, she has many health issues that require medical attention, but She refuses to follow doctors' instructions. Fortunately, We have a friend in Houston who has helped her in many different ways, but he can't take care of her all the time (and it wouldn't be fair to either of them).
I want to take my mother back to Brazil, where I and some family members can provide her with proper care. I am looking for advice on how to proceed to make it possible.
Moving to the US is not an option, and I cannot afford the care she needs there. Besides, I want to make sure she is happy and as healthy as possible, and I can't do this without being able to be with her often.
I confess it breaks my heart to take her from the place she chose to live. Worse, I fear that (after such a change) her mental health may worsen even faster (away from everything She is used to). However, She is my mother, and She really needs care. She cannot remain alone in the US.
I have already spoken to the Brazilian consulate in Houston (it didn't help), I am trying to get legal advice in Houston, and I'd appreciate any information/advice you believe may be helpful in this case.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Fernando
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Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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