My sister called from a nursing home where she was placed due to seemingly losing her mind. As it turns out, this was due to a medication she has been on for 12 years, lorazepam.
She wanted to go home, but her children said no, she could not and if she did, they would no longer help her.
I took her into my home to help her get the medical care she needed. Now, almost 2 months later, she is off the medication, her mind is clear, and she wants to go back to her apartment and live on her own.
Her doctor and psychiatrist both have cleared her to do so, but her children are telling her that I am responsible for anything that happens to her in the future when she is living on her own.
I am not her POA nor guardian. My question is, CAN I be held liable or responsible for her if something happens since I took her from the nursing home?
My sister is 20 years my senior. I am married to a man who also is 20 years my senior. He is, due to an accident in August, temporarily disabled, so I am taking care of him as well as my sister.
I was raised with my sister's sons. They were never mean spirited until after we all became adults and I have no clue what turned them this way. No, it was not from long term care of their mother, as 3 of the 4 of them barely darken her doorstep except on holidays.
They do not take her shopping, rarely out to eat, zero doctor's appointments. They just do not want to be bothered with her.
My sister has a dog as her only companion. If it were not for her dog, she would have no one. She lives in a town where there are roughly 500 folks when everyone is home. No stores in her immediate town.
She can do things now for herself, but due to macular degeneration that may change. Should that happen she says she will go back to the nursing home, but is fearful of what will happen to her dog.
There is no IL in her county, and she adamantly refuses to move from her apartment to be closer here. Likewise, I will absolutely NOT move to her area and living together is impossible. We love each other, but sometimes we don't like each other.
I feel sad for her, but she will only go to her apartment and no, I will not become a POA for her.
I want to distance myself from the situation, but I just wanted to get opinions on my legal issues with this.
Her children are not in charge of her finances, and even if they were, there is no money to gain. My sister is very poor and lives in low income housing.
Abyway, I'll try to check back soon, but an extremely busy 6 days coming up for me, so please excuse me if I don't answer right away.
Thank you all for your time and kind words of encouragement. I can use them for sure and for certain!
So plan A: go home & plan B: return to SNF
Sounds good enough.
If one of my aunts or uncles were to take my mom out of memory care, I would tell them they have just inherited all that comes with that decision.