We have been trying to help a 93 yr old neighbor who has been neglected by the women who has power of attorney over her care. Filed three separate cases with Detroit DHS who proved to be useless. What can we do?
It is easy to accuse someone of neglect than it is to actually take care of the person yourself. If you aren't the person with the POA then the elderly person on question didn't feel comfortable with entrusting you with their life. Therefore, you need to help support the POA not take them down. To file cases with the state only conplicates the life of the POA and the elderly person. That is probably your motive though. I see it way too often. I'm worried that the POA is neglecting when actually you are just sore you don't have control. I question all complaints about neglect/abuse made by family members. Usually it's a bitter feud among family members and they try to use the state agencies as the method of attack. You haven't proved your case in three reports so it sounds like the state has your number. Take a break from your bitterness and embrace the POA.
Well, knowing how much of a mess Detroit is in, I can understand this.
Have you tried Wayne County Social Services? There's a ombudsman agency on the East side of Wayne County but as I recall from speaking with them they generally intervened or offered advice when nursing homes were the issue.
Does Grosse Pointe have any kind of social services intervention? Senior Services? They might be able to guide you to other agencies.
Alternatively, do you know any of the family members you could contact?
Lastly, you might try the Wayne County Prosecutor's office. I'm not sure it's necessarily within their jurisdiction but they might be able to make recommendations.
However, If the person with DPOA authority is in fact neglecting this woman, civil and/or criminal charges may be brought.
Also, contact the Area Agency on Aging; they also might have recommendations.
Another option is to contact Michigan Elder Law (http://www.elderlawofmi.org/). This not a law firm; it’s a Michigan agency which provides a wide variety of elder related services, for free.
I've contacted them several times and have always gotten good advice. Typically they'll ask what your question is, then have an attorney contact you the following day. It is only for seniors, so if you're not a senior, be sure to tell the intake person when you first call that it is about a senior in distress.
In the meantime, are you documenting the abuses, with dates, descriptions, details, photos? That also raises the point of how you are aware of this neglect? Be prepared to be specific; the more information you can provide the easier it will be for an agency to justify intervention.
Lastly, there are the local news channels, with their intervention team, such as "Ruth to the Rescue". Provide them with the details and if there's a story they'll get on it.
Which type of POA are you talking about?
Have you tried Wayne County Social Services? There's a ombudsman agency on the East side of Wayne County but as I recall from speaking with them they generally intervened or offered advice when nursing homes were the issue.
Does Grosse Pointe have any kind of social services intervention? Senior Services? They might be able to guide you to other agencies.
Alternatively, do you know any of the family members you could contact?
Lastly, you might try the Wayne County Prosecutor's office. I'm not sure it's necessarily within their jurisdiction but they might be able to make recommendations.
However, If the person with DPOA authority is in fact neglecting this woman, civil and/or criminal charges may be brought.
Also, contact the Area Agency on Aging; they also might have recommendations.
Another option is to contact Michigan Elder Law (http://www.elderlawofmi.org/). This not a law firm; it’s a Michigan agency which provides a wide variety of elder related services, for free.
I've contacted them several times and have always gotten good advice. Typically they'll ask what your question is, then have an attorney contact you the following day. It is only for seniors, so if you're not a senior, be sure to tell the intake person when you first call that it is about a senior in distress.
In the meantime, are you documenting the abuses, with dates, descriptions, details, photos? That also raises the point of how you are aware of this neglect? Be prepared to be specific; the more information you can provide the easier it will be for an agency to justify intervention.
Lastly, there are the local news channels, with their intervention team, such as "Ruth to the Rescue". Provide them with the details and if there's a story they'll get on it.