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Really the home shopping channels are a drug for shut-in's.

If it's her cable, she will just have it turned back on.

What you can do is SHAME the companies. I'd take pictures of the chaos from the stuff and clearly so that you can read HSN or whatever logo is apparent and then contact: 1. your local TV station action reporter with the jpegs of the photos. Stories like this are perfect for a 3 minute segment; 2. Hoarders or the other reality shows - again your mom & sis are perfect casting for an episode; 3. you're in CT, right, then email contact Tara Pope @ the NYTimes - she's the head of the aging section reporting at NYT and your situation is perfect for what is called a "progress story" and fit's within the regional editions of NYT. She is a most fabulous writer too. The media attention will get the house cleared up; stop the QVC or other HSN from ever doing bizness with mom & likely get sister the care she needs also. But you really have to be able to deal with the fallout from making what may be a family secret(s) known to the world. Good luck.
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Ruggles, I'm so sorry for your situation and I totally understand your frustration. You're mom is spending money she will most likely need for her own care in the not to distant future. Maybe you can have a family pow-wow and talking to your mom about the worries that she won't have anything left for any care she might need when she get's older if she doesn't get the buying under control.

This is an addiction though, in some as bad as a drug addiction. You say she's had it for years, so you may need to come to terms with the fact that there may be no help for her in this unless she, herself, reaches out for help.
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Thanks, Perseverance.
I do not live with my mother, she lived alone until about a month ago when my other sister, who has schizophrenia, abruptly moved back home with her. The house is in complete turmoil. I visited last week and it really felt like being stuck in bedlam. Between my non-medicated sister, and the piles of clutter, I couldn't take it for more than an overnight stay.
My mother's QVC addiction dtaes back at least 10 - 12 years, when she was still driving and going to WalMart every few days. Now it's just reached such a fever pitch.
She has congestive heart failure, she's had it for awhile and is being treated, quite successfully for it. Her cardiologist says her condition is stable, and her heart is still relatively strong. I am her designated health care proxy/Health Directive. As far as POA goes, every time I even mention anything about making some financial plannings she gets defensive and starts yelling very unpleasant accusatory things at me.
Sorry to unload.
I did call CT's Agency on Aging and they are connecting me with a councilor.
Thanks for listening.
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Ruggles, I am not quite sure about the Dept of Social Services - but it can't hurt to try.

May I suggest a meeting with your Mom (and your sister) to discuss her care and finances. Has she been diagnosed with anything? I would talk about the POA and Health Directive and let her know why this is important (google for ideas - check out AARP website for example). Look into how to get the POA in CT (google it).

Definitely block the QVC channel (though I can see your Mom calling the cable guys to come out and fix it). Regarding the styrofoam, CT is behind the times - so simply place in trash bin. Are you living with your Mom? Why not simply refuse shipment? Also, why not take your Mom out shopping as this is what she is really missing.
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Thanks for your reply. My mother is very stubborn and will not let me near her credit cards. I think I can block the QVC channel.
I called QVC and tried to reason with them, asked them if they could at least put a cap on the amount she spends. Their customer service rep told me without having POA I can't do anything. They were actually incredibly insensitive, and had zero interest in offering me any practical solutions. The house, I own it with my sister, has filled up with those Styrofoam cooler shipping containers from all the frozen stuff she orders, which they will not allow to be recycled in her state, Connecticut unless I drive them two hours away. When I asked the QVC rep to at least offer me some help in finding a closer place to recycle them - all they said was, "That's not our responsibility, things are shipped directly from the manufacturer, there's nothing we can do." Do you think it's worth calling my state's Department of Social Services?
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You have garage sales, discontinue cable and cut up credit cards.
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