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Reappearance of distanced siblings

Pmmommie
Pmmommie Member Posts: 2
First Comment
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My Father was diagnosed with VD with onset AL 4 years ago. I took over as POA due to a broken unrepairable bridge between my Sister the former POA, and Dad. I've learned so much about their former relationship in the last 4 years and frankly, I wish I woud have found out sooner in order to rescue Dad. She kept him in the dark about his diagnosis while meeting with his Drs without him. She became on a first name basis with anyone within his care group.

I've had to explain to him his diagnosis and have had to find him an all new care group as the trust he had is now lost. He has a great team thanks to the VA. His new team talks with him and he loves being involved and included.

While still working 3rd shift, I was his primary care giver. I would go from work to his house. I fixed him breakfast, walked and fed the dog, give him his meds and began laundry and lunch. I would go home with the dog to nap or run my errands and return to his house after about 5 hours and leave for work from there. My off days I would stay at his house and not go near mine. All of this with no help. I would call repeatedly with no such luck. All I heard was empty promises and unanswered voicemails.

I've had to make the decision to move him into AL at least until I can have the house made more accessible for him. The Drs recommended him for AL after an accident at home. I'm using the renovations in my favor. Dad knew it was either AL "a special apartment" or 24 hours care. He is too stubborn and independant for 24 hour care. I worked with both the VA and another search group and compared. I spoke with the powers that be for the financing. It was a rough move in since it's just me. I purchased new and had some of his furniture brought into his new place, I shopped from the list that was given and have set the place up again, on my own. I was lucky enough to know an old friend in the moving business who helped move and assemble what neede to be assembled.

Dad is really thriving there! The Drs love how well he's doing. The only extra stress I have now is taking care of his dog. I visit with him 3xs a week and even have a sleepover on my first night off. He loves that! I have also brought in aides for 20 hours a week. They are there at least 3 days and sometimes 4 depending on his and my schedule.

Here starts the problem: The night before his discharge from the hospital into AL, his neice came to visit and started such a scene that the nurses called the PD. She was telling him he needed an attorney immediately because she was certain he didn't have a signed POA and he needed legal advice now. She had him convinced that he was being put in a mental hospital in order for me to steal his money. She erased his information on his patient board and wrote all this bs on it. She even wrote a list of people for him to contact. I didn't even receive a call from the hospital. I was surpeised by this when I went to pack him up . I had to prove myself to the PD even though all they had to do was look at his chart. I took names! I then tod the officers to escort her out and that she is to not return. Dad's attornies sent a no contact letter and filed for a protective order. Fast forward to the following week.

Dad's other 2 sisters whom he hasn't seen in 5 years, appear at the AL. I had not informed anyone of where he was going until I knew for sure he would stay. They both were depely offended that they weren't part of the decision. I'm sickened that the AL opened Dad's door to let them in with no check of IDs. After the first visit, they called his attorney claiming he was being munipulated into being there. He wasn't getting the proper care and I had tricked him into going so I could have all access to his money and that I couldn't be trusted. His attorney called me fuming. He said the office was getting call after call and I was tild to get my ducks in a row. All because they found him curled up in bed sleeping in a locked bedroom late in the afternoon. They visted again a week later and uped their game by asking staff and his aide if they had met me and what they thought of me. They questioned why he was there and if he was happy being there. The AL even called to tell me that had to stop. I've asked through the one sister's attorney, to stop the visits. Dad is too confused and aggitated after their visits. He doesn't want to lose his new place and doesn't like how they are bothering the staff. He can't stand what they are saying about me. The 3rd visit, I interruoted and they quickly tried to find an excuse to leave. I learned after they left that the visit was just as hard on Dad and made the aide extemely uncomfortable.

I've responded to the sisters very nicely and to the point about his diagnosis and my decision process. I expalined that if they were there when he asked for them, I would have included them in my decision. I told them the sadness comes from the guilt they are feeling for neglecting their brother and there's no reason to punish me. I've blocked their numbers because one of them calls him 8-10 times a day up until 2a.

Any suggestions on how to make the visits stop? I can't handle the aftermath. I don';t want a legal battle or any family upheavle. Especially since Dad's short term memory is gone. I have sent messages to his attorneys to help make the visits stop with no response. I've even spoken to one of their attorneys that just so happens to be Dad's neighbor. He's seen Dad's progression and has stepped in to help me with various car help and yard work that Dad can no longer do. I see that as a plus.

I'm at wits end.

Comments

  • SusanB-dil
    SusanB-dil Member Posts: 1,392
    1000 Comments 250 Likes 100 Care Reactions Third Anniversary
    Member

    Hello and welcome -

    It appears you are going to have to get into a legal battle. Can your attorney help with that? It sounds like the neighbor that is an attorney has some sense as well, unfortunately maybe on their side. Agree - all of that nonsense needs to stop. Can AL block visitors? That would be helpful.

    Your dad is blessed to have you watching out for him. Please make sure you get a break, too.

  • Pmmommie
    Pmmommie Member Posts: 2
    First Comment
    Member

    This issue just keeps getting worse. First iff, the AL is assisting me with no allowing the 2 sisters to visit. The POA is all they need. I've been trying to get a hold of his attorneys and can only get in to their assistant. Dad has called with no luck as well. I'm currently filling out gueardianship papers and looking for another attorney.

    Today I was woken nup; by the contractor working on Dad's house. Both of the sisters came walking in the door and began asking questions and taking pictures. They were asked to leave and ignored the workers. I called the attorney neighbor and kindly asked him to escort his client out but, he said that no one except the contractors were in the house. The sisters were leaving in their car as I parked. I went in the house got the full story and then headed to the PD. The PD couldn't/wouldn't do anything because the house is still in Dad's name and the officer needed to be 100% sure that they were not invited by Dad. I showed him the POA and even the letter from his dr with his diagnosis and mental incompacity for either medical or financial decisions. He would not accept the POA because it lacked a judge's stamp/signature? He did say that if they appeared again that he could get them for tresspassing and told me to call when they came back. I was then told to get a PO or Restraining order.

    They headed towards AL. I called as they pulled away and spoke with the Director. They immediately moved Dad into a back office until I arrived and were ready to call the police if needed. Dad didn't understand anything that was going on. The Director and myself tried to explain what the sisters did and the issues with them visiting. He also told Dad that he wouldn't allow that type of behavior in his community and subject his staff to the questioning. And he said that if anybody family or not, spoke to one of his Daughters and said the things they did, he would distance himself from them because no one deserves this. He also reminded Dad that he requested I take over all of his care. That he entrusted his life with me.

    Dad went out to the lobby and just stoof there not knowing what to say, I started to speak and the one sister spat at me and said that she didn't have to either speak or listen to me. The other sister couldn't figure out why Dad wasn't speaking and instead walked away. When I told her where he was going she just stated "Another lie just like all the others". I told them both they were needed to listen to me and Dad's wishes and they stormed out. The attorney's office is going to send a letter. Hopefully it's a Cease and Dissist. I'm filing the order tomorrow am. I'm just over this. All because they weren't included in his care plan. I'm just broken and don't know what to do next.

  • SusanB-dil
    SusanB-dil Member Posts: 1,392
    1000 Comments 250 Likes 100 Care Reactions Third Anniversary
    Member

    uughh - your sisters have no idea. If they spit again, you may have more recourse.

    Agree on a different lawyer. Too bad the neighbor lawyer was already hired by them.

  • ARIL
    ARIL Member Posts: 27
    10 Comments 5 Likes 5 Insightfuls Reactions 5 Care Reactions
    Member

    Egad. I am glad the AL is working with you and that your dad is flourishing at this place. But what a huge and unnecessary pain!

    I have had some related experiences (although I am an only child, so it’s very different). I mention that only to say that I empathize, and I know what a toll this sort of nonsense can take on you. Hang in there. You are doing good things for your dad. Pet the dog for me. :)

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
Read more