My mother and father still live at home by themselves, my mother drinks constantly and will not bath or comb her hair. My father smokes like a dragon-he has COPD and Emphysema. He buys alcohol and beer for my mother. He should not be driving, but my older siblings tell me that I should leave them alone. Because they are old and set in their ways. The house is filthy and getting worse everyday. I want to keep them safe, but as I said before my older siblings think it is best to leave them at home to do as they please. They are both sick and refuse to go the doctors. Can someone give some advice as to how I can convince them to let home health come in and assist them? Advice please....
Usually what we need to do is to wait for a medical emergency, or two, or three before we can take action. If an illness gets to a point where one needs to call 911, then that parent will have a short stay in the hospital, then into Rehab, and hopefully in Assisted Living [if that is within their budget] or a skilled nursing home.
Then there will be the worry of the remaining spouse.... either they are eager to move to senior living, or you once again have to wait for a medical emergency.
As long as one's parents are clear minded, there isn't much we can do. Except not enable them to keep living in their house. Like be at their beckon call. Otherwise they would have no reason to move.