My elderly stepfather and mother both have dementia. They have become verbally abusive and paranoid. When Mom gets agitated, she bangs walls, clenches fists and screams. How should I deal with this behavior?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
When both elderly parents have demenita it's a very difficult situation. Seek your doctor's advice to find out about new medication that might control their agitation and verbally abusive behavior.
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My sister-in-law is Power of Attorney for her mother, who has dementia. My sister-in-law lives out of state and wants to go back home, leaving us to care for her mother. It will be hard to handle things with her still as POA. Can we take legal action?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
Most power of attorney documents have an alternate or "successor" POA who is appointed to serve in the place of the originally appointed one, in case he/she can't serve or doesn't want the job.
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What is the difference between Arbitration and Mediation?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
Carolyn answered: Arbitration is somewhat like atrial; while Mediations are not ordered by Judges.
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I am fighting with my brother about caring for mom. What can I do?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
Carolyn answered: If your family is unable to resolve disputes by talking them over in the family,
it may be time to consider an outside source of help: elder mediation.
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What is Mediation?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
Carolyn says: Mediation is a way to resolve disputes by discussion and negotiation, using the help of a neutral person.
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I'm a caregiver for my parents, and I am overwhelmed. What can I do?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
Carolyn wrote: Many caregivers suffer from burnout. While you can't change your aging parents' condition, you can do things for yourself.
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What Is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order and how does it work?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
A Do Not Resuscitate Order is a legally binding physician’s order for a patient, that no steps will be taken to restart a person’s heart when it stops or to get a person breathing again.
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What are the duties of a legal guardian for eldery parents?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
The term “legal guardian” has different meanings in different states.
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What are healthcare directives and why does my elderly parent need it?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
A document your elderly parent signs, giving someone else the authority to make health and medical decisions if your parent is unable to speak or make decisions.
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Is there a way to use my mother's assets to compensate me as her caregiver?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
Possibly, depending on your situation. It is perfectly legal for your mother to pay you for getting care she would otherwise have to pay someone else to provide if you didn’t.
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