Hello all,
I am in a FRANTIC search to find some kind of organization that can help elderly that have no money! Here's the story...I work as a receptionist in a independent retirement home in St. Louis, MO. There is this lady living here who is the sweetest thing you will meet. She has these long-time "friends" that were her neighbors before she sold her house to move here. Her only family members are a sister who is not completely with it and a nephew from out of state. These "friends" have been watching over her for years and have supposedly been taking care of her finances. But about a month ago, our administrative staff discovered that he was pocketing everything after he was unable to pay her bills for three months straight. She is now left with absolutely nothing. She cannot afford her bills to live here, clothes, or even groceries. We have been doing all we can to support her and are even letting her live for free here. Soon the company is going to realize that we are allowing this though and the administration is going to be in a lot of trouble for it. Today we noticed how skinny she was getting because she cannot afford any food so we even put her on a meal plan for free so she will not starve. This is the final straw and I cannot watch her go down like this. She is a wonderfully hearted soul that desperately needs financial aide. Does anyone know of any programs to help or ways that I could raise her some money to live her remaining years off of? The worst part is that this man is getting away with everything. We have been in contact with the police and FBI and they are saying that there is nothing they can do, though they do have their eye on him. He's such a horrible man for putting on such a scheming act and yet she still talks to him and allows him to take her to church every Sunday. She is completely aware of the situation but her heart is so big and she has no one else but us here at the retirement home. Her nephew I mentioned earlier refuses to help and I dont think thats really such a bad thing anyway because he seems to be after her money too. The other night she came down at three in the morning crying because she was starving and the only thing in her fridge was a month-old gallon of milk. Never in my life have I even seen a frown on this woman's face and seeing her cry was absolutely heartbreaking. Someone please help, this woman needs it more than anything. Thanks so much for your time and concern. It's greatly appreciated.

Angie

Angie, although your heart is in the right place, there doesn't seem to be much choice but to ask for help from your area's social services for the elderly. There is a goverment Office for the Aging in every state. They can help set her up with the services she will need.

Here is a link to a page we started for places to go to for help:
http://eldercare.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1196030151/m/1181007225

Welcome in Angie glad you found us.
I have to ask if you can clarify something here for us this lady she lives in a care home? With other residents?
Is this like a Board and Care Facility?

Is this a significant amount of weight she is losing or is it just fat shes losing? ie is she within normal height/weight guidelines? What was her Baseline measurements when admitted?
Could this be depression?
As to what kind of help there is for her there is MediCal/Medicaid *Welfare* I dont know what state you hail from if you could give a clue?
Am I correct in assuming this man is her DPOA as well as her POA? If so contact APS for some help so they may fight on her behalf.

Wait I just reread who you are here sorry this is an administrative problem Angie theres nothing you can do about it they do know who to go to for help I know being in the position you are its hard to just watch this occur unless you are seeing abuse from the facility, are you?
If you are and they are not feeding her, meaning she is not in the dining room of that facility or in her room getting 3 square a day then a call to your states Ombudsman would not be out of line

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bunnys_grl,

Sorry, Angie, but if the experts at your facility, the FBI, law enforcement, et al cannot think of any way to help her, I am not sure that anyone here has any bright ideas that y'all have not already thought of... She will need the assistance of Adult Protective Services in your area and they should be contacted ASAP for her protection. Good luck and please keep us updated.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Moms_Buddy,