No problem at all. What will typically happen if they determine that she is not capable to take care of herself, and they cannot find any family, they will file for conservatorship or receivership which is when someone actually takes over her finances and makes decisions on her befalf. Think of it like having the power of attorney. You can look them up to learn more about them. I would hope this would happen if she everything you describe. She sounds like she is really living dangerously and could use the assistance. At least she should get her home cleaned and then a home senior services company come in and see what she needs regularly.

Thank you for your reply Cory. I will look into this a bit more, but I know the city has already sent out some type of social worker (in addition to the health inspector). He got into a verbal fight with the home owner and was not able to perform any meaningful evaluation. I'll get more details on what agency came out and what the results were.

Out of curiosity, what is the process if Adult Protective Services is called out and they make a determination that she is not mentally fit to take care of herself? What happens to her and what happens to her home?

Thanks again.

nexus

Hi Nexus,
I am extremely dismayed that the county health department has not contacted Adult Protective Services. This is the firs thing I would do. Dimentia is a cause of hoarding and she certainly sounds like she needs to be evaluated mentally. You can make an anonymous report to them, but I would also contact the agency(ies) that have been involved to ask if they have referred this case to Adult Protective Services yet. They will get involved and determine if she is able to take care of herself independently. My name is Cory Chalmers and I operate this website and own Steri-Clean, Inc (1-800-HOARDERS.com). I will help in any way possible.

What can be done?

1.) Elderly woman with what appears to be dementia. If you meet her for the first time then walk outside for 10 min, she will greet you as if you've never met before (other signs below).

2.) The home has a mild to medium level of hoarding.

2.) 4 dogs living inside the home who use the throw rugs as a place for urination.

3.) Rats have overrun the home, living in the cabinets, drawers, attic, couch, etc., etc.. There are rat droppings everywhere. Every surface appears to have some evidence of rat traffic. Orkin has been on site 30+ days trying to eradicate. Home owner feeds the rats because she thinks they are pets. She has also begun feeding squirrels peanuts - a dead squirrel was discovered behind the stove by the Orkin tech.

4.) The kitchen sink has a persistent leak that has rotted out much of the cabinetry withing 3-4 ft radius. Mold abounds.

5.) Home owner is adamant that there is no problem. She will not agree to throw anything away because, "they have lived with rats in London for centuries and they haven't had any problem with keeping rat soiled materials."

6.) Home owner has no family and nobody with power of attorney to help her help herself.

7.) The county dept of health has come out to the home because the neighbors are starting to get overrun by the rats and ordered her to address the problem (this is why Orkin is there).

I guess my question is what resources are out there for someone in this situation? If she is mentally incapacitated (not sure if this is the proper term) with no family to assist, what can be done for her? This is Los Angeles county fwiw.

Thanks for any info/help.

nexus