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unlimitedme1982 Asked August 2017

How can I generate more income for my disabled mother?

Hello, my mother lives in South Carolina. She had a brain aneurysm 2 years ago. She had major surgery and was left in critical condition for several months. After she stabilized she was in a nursing home for a year and a half. She was paralyzed on her left side and blinded in her left eye. After a year and a half she came home and against all odds she started walking and becoming more and more lucid. She is now 67 years old and her income is $439 a month from Social Security. She still has major nerve damage in her legs and can not drive due to the blindness in her left eye so working is not an option even though she would love to get back to work. Does anyone have any advice on how to get her some more income? I live in Peru and work with people with mental disorders and do not make any income. I am in the states visiting her for a few weeks trying to help her as much as I can before I go back to peru so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you -Adam

GardenArtist Aug 2017
Do some quick research and see if the state in which she lives has an Elder Agency, or something like that. Michigan has an Office of Services to the Aging as well as the Elder Law of Michigan agency.

The latter provides a wide variety of information for elders, including info on supplemental food from organizations such as Forgotten Harvest and Focus Hope.

You might also research the county in which she lives and see if there's any kind of elder department which provides a single function.

The Jewish organizations have always been helpful and reach out to people of any faith. I can't remember if I call the Jewish Welfare Federation or Jewish Social Services.

Also research to see if there's a senior center in her city or township. The good ones usually have information to share. And they have activities; it's a good way to socialize. Some have contract arrangements with transit companies and have a small bus available for pick up and return.

And kudos to your mother; she sounds like a strong woman.

Katiekate Aug 2017
The limit is the limit of her creativity. I know a woman who started making kites. Beautiful..like butterflies. She sold them online and then started supplying local stores. She had to hire people to help her...and finally just did the bookkeeping while the hired help actually made them.

I know another woman that started the "mixed breed" dog kennel association. No kidding. Mixed bred = mutt. She sold certificates and gave coupons to petmart....the same ones that are free on the counter. People paid for this

Whatever you can imagine.

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geewiz Aug 2017
How is she even living on less than $500/month?? When you speak with the county office of aging, be sure to pursue EVERY service that is available. Food stamps, food pantry, medicaid, thrift stores for clothing, volunteers for helping, senior - subsidized housing, . Is she or her husband a veteran? There may be help there.

freqflyer Aug 2017
unlimited, wow what a great recovery your Mom had, and her drive to want to do more for herself. The only thing I can think of is to call Mom's local Agency on Aging and see what they would recommend. Maybe look into Social Security Disability to see if Mom could get more money each month. Hope she can.

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