Paula, a resilient 80-year-old woman with dementia, lived in her own home with her son, Hank.  However, as her primary caregiver Hank failed to fulfill his responsibilities.

Despite having the funds to pay the bills, Hank neglected to pay utility bills and the mortgage, leading to foreclosure notices. He often left Paula alone for days and failed to ensure she took her medication. She was frequently found wandering her neighborhood, unable to find her way back home.

The situation deteriorated to the point where the Office of Aging intervened. They recommended enrolling in a waiver program to secure funding for 24/7 home care, but Hank refused.  After 18 more months of neglect, the Office of Aging petitioned the court for a Guardian, as Paula’s safety was at risk.

The Arc Alliance was appointed guardian and immediately made significant changes to help Paula.  We worked with the bank and utilities, paid off the bills, and saved Paula’s home from foreclosure. We reinstated essential services like electricity, water, and sewer, and ensured the bills were paid on time.

As Guardian, we enrolled Paula in Community Health Choices Waiver to secure funding for caregivers that includes quality meals, medication reminders, and most importantly safe, in-home care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Thanks to Paula’s Guardian, her quality of life improved dramatically, allowing her to live safely and comfortably in her own home.

Note: The names in this story have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved