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Some of you might remember my post from a couple years ago. I moved in with my elderly neighbor to care for her, quit my full time job, saw her through to the end and yes, I inherited the house. I wanted to come back to tell you all. Thank you to those who provided me with good advice, sympathy and encouragement. And to those who called me a grifter, a fool, etc. Well. I'm not sure if I should gloat or what. Details: she finally agreed to Hospice care January 2025. They were wonderful. It took a couple weeks of coaxing but she finally let them bathe her and it became twice weekly. The nurse got her to admit she was in pain, something she would not admit to me, and the drugs they gave her improved her mood considerably. She became quite pleasant even. She passed away in March, cause of death being suspected cancer, but we will never know because she refused all tests and there was no autopsy. I held her hand and read from her Bible to her as she took her last breath. It was a very humbling experience for me. I did all the executor duties with the help of her attorney, the same attorney that made her will 5 or 6 years ago. Probate wraps up today in fact, and then I can start remodeling the house. I did spend part of her savings to do needed repairs during the probate process as I was told by the attorney that would be ok because its improving the estate. For anyone who was worried that my son was being used as a "slave" for caregiving, he and his girlfriend moved out this summer and are thriving on their own in another city. He's fine. Just because a situation is unconventional doesnt mean its bad. I hope YOU learn something from this.



Anyone who wants the full story, find my 2 other posts and read the comments, too. There is alot of good advice on this forum.

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Loki.....the end of your post was removed by admin for being inappropriate. Maybe avoid forums in the future if you cannot handle what others are going to say to you, and feel the need to shame us for sharing our experiences with you.

Again, I'm glad things worked out for you.
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Wow, Loki. You are lucky. This turned out well for all involved. How often does THAT happen in life, huh? I was the one who told you of a Unit Secretary I worked with who, retired, had really no friends or family, and who relied on an old neighbor, promising her her home and remainders of her accounts if she managed everything for her. She returned home on hospice having refused care for a cancer spreading like wildfire through her abdominal cavity. She required 24/7 care to qualify for in home hospice. Her former neighbor, who had at that point lived some hours from her, did handle everything. I was a "friend" who lunched with the Unit Sec. a few times yearly, and I helped out the former neighbor.

Guess what. For the two of THEM it worked as well. It can work, this. I think you shouldn't have a whole lot of animosity for those who disagreed with the actions, because lordy, there are many times when this DOESN'T work. But when it does it can be a godsend for all involved.

I really thank you for coming back to update us. I access your old posts and remembered well when I began to read. It's lovely you can back to fill us all in.
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"She became quite pleasant, even" -- from the medication and help she got from hospice nurses. Seems like she might have also had a more pleasant time in her last years in a facility with similar medical care. But that would have meant spending down her money and selling her house, and possibly no inheritance left for you.

It's very good of you to come back with the update; many people don't.
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Lealonni1, "avoid forums in the future"... why?
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Haha they cut off the end of my post. It said thank you to those of you who gave me advice, sympathy and encouragement. And shame on those who told me to give up or accused me of nefariousness.
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Glad it worked out for everyone.
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I'm glad your situation had a good ending since many times this isn't the case, and also glad that you found this forum helpful. Thank you for the update.
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I'm glad it all worked out for you.

I like the line in your post, "Just because a situation is unconventional doesn't mean it's bad."

That is so true.

Thank you for providing an update. I wish more folks who have posted in the past would do so.
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So true My friend was promised he could stay at the House for awhile after His caregiving Job was over as he had Lived at Ritas house for Many years and been her room Mate and caregiver . the next day after she died the realtors arrived , the Moving truck came and he was left with a sofa . he couldn't believe it ! She had bad dementia for 3 years . So he left the house and went to NY City for 4 Months But I had Moved Out of My House and was in a Tiny studio . I Paid for his bed and breakfast for a week and said " Skippy you have PTSD , you are exhausted , go home to your Mom and sleep and recover . " he was treated very Poorly By her children . I think he Lived with her for about 10 years .
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I am Happy for you and enjoy the fruits of your labor . You Have to remember there are a lot of exhausted people On this forum . Enjoy the House , this is a success story and you deserve a Happy Life .
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I’m happy for everyone that it worked out. Enjoy the house.
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For the way your story turned out, theres a hundred that turn out poorly, with the unpaid caregiver winding up homeless and destitute after the elder dies. There's nothing "shameful" about telling the truth. I'm glad your story turned out well, but maybe avoid forums in the future?
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