Readers urge officials to intervene for bedridden 94-year-old with POA concerns
In a response to a recent letter, readers advised the writer to contact Adult Protective Services regarding a neighbor who has been left alone for 18 hours a day.
By Ryan Carter ·
A 94-year-old man in Mecklenburg County is bedridden and left alone for 18 hours a day by a woman who holds his power of attorney, according to a letter published on Oct. 9. The situation prompted a wave of responses from readers who argued that the arrangement requires immediate outside review to prevent financial and physical harm.
The original writer, identified as Frustrated Neighbor, described the elderly man as nominally cared for by the woman who controls his financial affairs. Readers who responded to the column identified a potential conflict of interest. One reader, signing as Red Flags, noted that a person who controls the money has no financial incentive to move the man to a specialized care facility. That reader characterized the 18-hour alone time as a form of elder abuse and possible fraud.
Another correspondent, who identified herself as an attorney and a volunteer member of a county Adult Protective Service Multidisciplinary Team, recommended that the writer contact the agency directly. She stated that an unbiased individual should evaluate the situation to determine what is necessary and what the elderly person wants. She added that her team sees this sort of situation all the time.
A third reader, signing as Unnered, argued that the man is a victim of abuse and neglect. That reader suggested the situation be reported to authorities immediately. If the man is regularly ignored for 18 hours or more, the reader predicted he likely has bedsores or worse injuries.
The column, written by Abigail Van Buren, has been a staple of American media since 1956. The responses reflect a common strategy for neighbors who suspect neglect but lack the legal standing to intervene directly. Readers consistently pointed to existing state resources as the first step in protecting a vulnerable adult.
The original letter did not specify the exact location of the home or the name of the caregiver. It did confirm that the man is 100 percent bedridden. The readers' advice centered on the legal and medical mechanisms available to challenge the current care arrangement.
Jeanne Phillips wrote the column for nearly four decades after it was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. The column continues to field letters from readers seeking practical advice on personal and community issues.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
