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Their home is infested with rats and roaches and my baby sister is not there 24/7, but claiming that she’s taking care of them. She is barely there but wants them to stay for her own gain. What can we do? They both are showing signs of Alzheimer’s. My mom is a diabetic and they both have high blood pressure. They don’t want to leave their home, but it’s not fit to stay in.

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You need to fill in your profile to give more information, about your parents and what documents (eg Power of Attorney) are in place. I’d also suggest that you stop saying ‘baby sister’. No-one is going to react well to this, or take your complaints seriously when you appear to have no ‘adult to adult' respect.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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geddyupgo Aug 3, 2024
Good Point. Much better and more acceptable to simply say "my youngest sister".
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Call APS immediately and report the horrible conditions your parents are living in, along with the fact your sister is aware of the infestation and unwilling to do anything about it. How awful for your parents and disgraceful of your "baby sister".
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Reply to lealonnie1
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HI - omg, your parent's house is a major health hazard. The fact that it's infested with rats and roaches, you should tell your parents that the house is being condemned by the Board of Health - it is NOT fit to live in any longer- and that the only option is to live with your oldest sibling.
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Reply to Hopeforhelp22
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You may also consider reporting the house to the city as a health hazard. They may require a clean-up.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Call the health department if separate from APS. APS did nothing for my friend. Health department did.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Call APS and ask for their intervention and ask them to open a case regarding the welfare of your parents.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Have you been to the property recently yourself? What did you find?

Or are you hearing about it from others, or via the phone?

I would shift the focus off the 'baby sister' & leave bold assumptions about her motives aside. Away from blaming 'baby sister' & focus on the real problem here : safety & hygiene.

1. Have you discussed the mice/rat issue with your parents yourself?
What was their response?
Fear? Anxiety? Denial? No clue?
2. What steps are THEY taking to deal with this?
3. If they cannot/will not take steps - report their address to Adult Protection Services for an urgent welfare check.

If the home is suspected of squalor & a vermin problem, a visit by authorities hopefully is scheduled quickly.

My relative saw evidence of mice. Got new bins with better fitting lids, plugs all wall holes, laid traps & continues to use natural plant based oils to deter. Problem gone.
They are independant.

Are your parents still independant?
That the real problem.
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Reply to Beatty
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Anxietynacy Jul 27, 2024
Just to add , if someone hasn't, to take pictures
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You give no information about your parents.
Do they need help?
Do they need a caregiver?
Is anyone POA?
Do they have any medical diagnosis that makes them "vulnerable"?

Side comment...
Before your sibling takes them in I would do the following:
Don't bring ANY clothing, furniture or items from their house until it has been cleared of any infestation.

If a sibling OTHER than the younger one that is "staying" with them is POA the POA can make any decision that is in their best interest. (If the one staying with them is POA then another sibling may have to file for Guardianship)

A call to APS or your State's Elder Abuse Hotline number might help.
If there is a local Senior Service Center they will probably have a Social Worker that can help.

If you or another sibling can arrange a "Doctors appointment" and bring them both to the doctors for an evaluation that might also get things started as doctors are MANDATED reporters of neglect and abuse.
Even if nothing is found getting them out of the house for an appointment might just facilitate a move to your siblings house the same day. That way they have nothing but the clothes they have on.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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JuliaH Aug 2, 2024
Good advice about the possibility of infesting their future residence.
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Call Adult Protective Services to investigate your parents welfare and their infested home, now!
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Reply to Patathome01
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Call Adult Protective Services.
If they have a social worker, that person needs to be working with you.
Do you have all legal needs in place - to make decisions on their behalf?
Get an attorney.
Have they been determined medically to not have the capacity to take care of themselves (dementia) - you need this documentation.

"Showing signs of Dementia (may not be Alz) - if their home is 'infested with rats and roaches,' the situation is way beyond showing signs. You/family should have been alerted to this situation way before the rats and roaches were seen (rotten food left out? filthy conditions/not cleaning, etc. - self care?)

I am perplexed why it has taken this long to 'notice' what is going on?
Is family / someone checking in on them regularly? How often?

Of course they refuse to leave. With their declining cognitive abilities (confusion, perhaps hallucinations) it is 'their home' - what is familiar to them.

This decision is not up to them. It should not have been up to them 'to decide' way before the rats/roaches approched. Clearly, they do not have the mental capacity to make these decisions - with the rats/roaches, they STILL do not want to leave. What does this tell you?

You/family needs to get medical and legal matters in order, yesterday.
You move them out today - Period.
Call APS.

Gena / Touch Matters
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Reply to TouchMatters
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Sierramikewhisk Aug 2, 2024
You are absolutely correct about all of this.
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