My Mom is 81 years old, owns her own trailer, but it sits on her desceased sister's property, my cousins are going to sell the property. My Mom is an alcoholic, smoker, and has a live-in care taker, but she was married to him at one time. My Mom only gets $700 per month, her care-taker is not much better. I don't know where to turn, and I have children and cannot have their unhealthy life style living in our home. Rent is too expensive, and the low-income has over a-year waiting list. My Mom had lung cancer and had her left upper lobe removed, she is a non-compliant patient and continues to smoke and not use her inhaler. I'm just beside myself. My Mom has lived on this property for 34 plus years.. She cannot live on her own, but she also has this care-taker/ex-husband situation. Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you, Maria
I'm also not sure what the legal relationship would be between her and the relatives who want to sell the property. Have they issued a notice to vacate (leave), anything like that?
It might be worth contacting probono legal clinics, trying to locate a landlord-tenant division, and find out what her legal rights are.
I agree though, don't bring a voluntary smoker into your home. Her lifestyle would compromise the health of all of you.
If there's a landlord-tenant division
Don't waste your time with the smoking, you already know that is a no brainer and i do kind of sympathize with Mom on that one. Not that I approve of smoking but it does bring her comfort and keeps some of the demons at bay.
Definitely agree don't take her into your home. Get her on the low income housing list. It may be a year long but it only gets longer if you wait.
If Mom is using oxygen make sure she takes it off when she is smoking or all your problems will be solved in one big puff of smoke. Good Luck
I think I would figure out who is her Durable POA and find out the value of the trailer. Then I would consult with an attorney who knows Medicaid law and real property law. They can advise you on what her options are. Certainly, there will be Notice requirements for her to move the trailer. The laws vary from state to state, but I would find out where she stands and if it's worth fighting. If the trailer has little value, that has to taken into account or maybe the cousin's want to sale the trailer with the land and pay mom for it. This could effect her Medicaid eligibility though, so seek legal advice before agreeing to anything regarding real estate, sales, money to mom, etc.
You can also get advise about her eligibility for Medicaid. I'm not sure if she actually needs Assisted Living or Nursing Home care, but I would explore what is available in your state.