You, social and health professionals (by their refusal) and possibly (I don't know the law on summonsing people of diminished responsibilty) environmental health think your mother's sound in mind. You don't mention that she has physical problems. She is fiercely independent - normal. She won't let any of her four children come and see her - not normal. She intends to make her Will in favour of outsiders. You talk about her being taken into care, which she won't like, as the strongest theme above or am I wrong?

In your "words" your mother doesn't have a problem "today". Is this correct and if so where is the problem "today"?

Hi,

can anyone please help?

I am one of four siblings whose now single Mother (aged 80years) lives alone. She is an owner occupier.

Her house is falling into a state of disrepair as she refuses any help offered by family members and is refusing them access. Referrals have been made to social and health professionals for help - referrals have been rejected due to my Mother wanting to live the way she does. It is heartbreaking and frustrating to see the way she is living.

We are now at the point where environmental health is about to take her to Court to gain access to the property.

We are seeking power of attorney (this may be very difficult as I can't see my Mum simply handing over control to anyone) and are confused about how best to deal with the property side of the problem. My Mother does not want to go into residential care and we would prefer her to be cared for at home if at all possible. The problem is that the house needs major repairs and we would have to raise the money to carry these out. However, we do not want to invest money in the property if she then leaves the property outside the family in her Will (as she intends to do!).

Should we suggest to Mum that she allows us to buy the house from her, make the improvements and then return her to her home?

I really don't know how to go about this but the way things are going at the moment she could well end up being 'taken into care' and have little choice about what happens with her home or her future. The prob is my Mum won't see that!

Any help gratefully received.

thank you