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Mocrob66 Asked December 2021

What do I do if my elderly stepfather is trying to keep me from taking care of my mother who has Alzheimer's?

He curses me till I leave, and won't make sure she's getting her health care needs.

Taarna Dec 2021
It seems like you are making a case that your mother is being abused through neglect. f so, take steps to become her guardian or call the authorities to remover her from your stepfather's care.

BarbBrooklyn Dec 2021
Mocro, welcome!

A little more information would be helpful..

Do they live at home or in a facility?

What are your mom's healthcare needs?

Does your step-father have mental health or cognitive issues?

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RedVanAnnie Dec 2021
If your stepfather is not taking adequate care of your mother, you need to alert her doctor and Social Services and perhaps APA.

lealonnie1 Dec 2021
Ok so, if my mother had Alzheimer's and her husband was cursing me when I went over to care for her, and wasn't making sure she was getting her health care needs met, I'd raise the roof OFF of the house. I'd make sure he saw MY ugly side in a big hurry and then I'd call the police to report him for abuse. File a restraining order that he is not to go within 100 yards of your mother. Call APS. Do whatever you have to do to make sure he is removed from the house and your mother is either placed in Memory Care Assisted Living or someone is hired to come into the home to properly care for her immediately.

This behavior from your mother's husband is 100% unacceptable and must be stopped immediately because it constitutes ABUSE. I don't care if he has dementia himself or what his excuse is. Contact his family members to come get him out of the house if the house is in your mother's name. Do whatever you have to do to remedy this situation!

Good luck!
TaylorUK Dec 2021
Do you think it matters how long the couple has been married, and the fact the husband is the next of kin? If there is a real problem in him stopping mother getting care then Court of Protection certainly, but if daughter doesn't like what he decides but mother is safe and being cared for it is Stepfather's choice for her care. We cannot just rule step-partners out because as a biological child we feel things should be different, any more that they can interfere in how we bring up our children. Its hard to have to watch but unless there is a risk, adults get to make their own choices, and husbands get to decide for wives and vice versa,
JoAnn29 Dec 2021
Your Mom needs a higher level of care than she is getting. Does SF have some decline too? Did this man raise you or is he just Moms husband to you. Does he have kids of his own?

If he has kids of his own, time for them to worry about his care. You need to get Mom into an AL if she can afford it or a nice LTC facility. You also need to secure her half of the marital assets. I would see an elder lawyer to see what can be done.

Geaton777 Dec 2021
From the OP's profile:

"...84 years old, living in independent living with alzheimer's / dementia, mobility problems, and parkinson's disease."

For the time being if you are concerned about her well-being (and I would be), you can use a "therapeutic fib" to take one or both of them out for an "appointment" or errands, lunch date, etc. Someone else then either takes the stepdad outside or distracts him while someone else gathers your mom's essentials and she is taken to a home where she'll be temporarily cared for. Then you can call APS for the husband to get him on their radar as a vulnerable adult. He may call the cops on you but then that would work against HIM. Is anyone your mom's PoA? If it's her husband (and he has the paperwork to prove it) then you may need to go for guardianship, or contact social services to see if there can be emergency guardianship.

My cousins had to rescue their elderly 90-yr old mom when her jerk husband wouldn't get care for her. Once she was taken to her son's home, the dad stewed in his own juices by himself then decided to go to his bank (because he was more worried about his money than her) where he fell and got a head injury and died in the hospital. Poetic justice.
Santalynn Dec 2021
I've wondered if this stepdad is more worried about money than the mom.
wiseowl Dec 2021
It is a hard one. He probably feels he should be the one who cares for her. There is also the fear of losing her and he may be in denial.
My stepfather fought the need for a diagnosis and it took a while for him to accept help. It takes time and patience. Try not to be too assertive but try encouraging change.
Good luck.

Rick10 Dec 2021
We have social services here under the administration of the Department of Human Services. You should consider asking them to pay a visit, let them look at the situation to determine if there needs to be some intervention. It could be your step father has his own issues. If this is not some family issues that began years ago or if he has declined in mental health, it would be good to get some help, opinions from those trained in this situation. That's the easy part. How to get DHS into the home to conduct the interview without exciting your stepfather is the tricky part. I suggest arranging your visit with the professional from DHS and introduced as a friend. There would be an immediate perusal of the home, her health, his health and later after leaving decide if further interviews and examinations should be arranged. Remember its out of concern for your Mother and not trying to avoid confrontation with her husband.
Santalynn Dec 2021
Good suggestions; I'd add that at least in my city Adult Protective Services pretty much steps right in if the right 'buzzwords' are given when reporting: such as, 'elder is not eating', 'elder is not getting medication', 'elder has no heat'. A neighbor's family was neglecting her and once APS came, Within An Hour of Being Called, the family had to get their act together or otherwise the elder would be placed, family possibly charged with abuse.
my2cents Dec 2021
His attitude probably won't change, so your approach has to. As hard as it is, grow some rhino hide to avoid any engagement with his comments. Get done what needs to get done and leave. Sing, hum a tune - whatever so he sees that his comments are not working. If he was able to verbally anyone at all to get them out of the house, he thinks it will work for everyone.

Worse case scenario, call adult protective and let them go inside. If he acts ugly with them and they can see she is not getting proper care, they may be able to help.

Chickie1 Dec 2021
Not sure, I can give an adequate response. What health care needs are you talking about? Do you want her to have some meds and he disagrees?
If Mom is not being "abused", you may need to step back. Perhaps, ask step dad how you could help? Maybe, bring healthy meals for both. Offer assistance for household chores. Take Mom for a brief outing.
Best wishes.

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