I've been a caregiver at a nursing home, worked in home healthcare, cared for my disabled SO in Missouri and now I am trying to help my 83 year old mother in SW Michigan. I came to Michigan August 10th after I found out that my mother was going to have to go to assisted living. This trip has been a real eye-opener. So many people I knew 35-40 years ago in high school are hurting here, no jobs, homes being foreclosed, no medical insurance. One of my best friends from high school has a Masters Degree and worked for Fujitsu in San Diego until 3 years ago; now I'm helping her sell stuff on Craigslist so she can pay her storage bill. I'm hurting too, and can't seem to get help. I'm hoping someone here will help with some advice
I grew up in SW Michigan, but worked and lived in Missouri for over 30 years until recently. I've been unable to find work or medical care in Missouri, so I decided to come stay with Mom until the court appointed a conservator for her estate. My brothers, sisters and Mom called me the first week of August and asked me to come help clean up Mom's house. We were supposed to have a court date September 8th, but now my older half-sisters are contesting everything and I'm locked out of Mom's house since my half-sister was appointed as guardian. It's been a nightmare. I have been staying with some high school friends, but they are without funds and possibly about to lose their home. I have no health insurance, no meds, no money. Now, I found out today that my oldest half-sister is contesting my other sister being conservator and the court date has been postponed indefinitely. My older sisters have called the police on me several times for being at my mother's, even though she asked me to be there and clean up the place.
My friend took my blood pressure yesterday and it was 160/109. After I got off the phone with my older sister it was 188/159. I'm very depressed and the stress has been tremendous with my disfunctional family. I only want to see my mother get the care she needs, and I've decided I need to stay here to make sure that happens. I just filled out forms to see if I qualify for emergency assistance from MI Dept of Human Services. I need some free legal help here since my older sister that is Mom's guardian has locked me out of Mom's house. This is a long involved story, but the main point is that I see everyone hurting here because of lack of healthcare. My mom can't afford the care she needs, I can't afford the care I need and many of my friends here are not getting the care they need.
I've worked for over 35 years and I don't qualify for any help in Missouri where I was living. I want to make sure my mom gets the care she needs, but not many good assisted living facilities accept just Medicare/Medicaid. I love this state and I'm currently looking over Lake Michigan where the sun will soon be setting. I'd love to stay here, but I need work. I have a BS in Bus. Admin/Acctg and have worked as a CNA in an Assisted Living Facility and in home health. If anyone has any advice, please respond in comments below or contact me at my email address. I have been without my computer for a couple weeks, but I have it here now and can get wireless access a few places around town. I'll be checking back later. Thanks Kossacks, for all your support.