Grandma Next Door

I'm not sure what to do about Grandma next door. She is not my grandmother, but that's what we call her, so that's how I will refer to her here.

Grandma is an 88-year-old, legally blind widow who has outlived her income. Mainly because the people she calls "family" have spent it all. She lives in a big house, which she has just refinanced to keep from losing, and she can't even afford to sell it. She had an interest-only mortgage that was held by her financial advisor, but when she spent all the investment money they called in the loan (thus the refinance.)

Her only income is social security and a small widow's pension from her late husband's military service. She could live on that, if she wasn't supporting a no-load 25-yr-old grandson and paying people to look after her on a daily basis. She finally realizes that she needs to go into assisted living, but I'm not sure she can afford it. She is in excellent health except for her eyesight, and I expect she could live another ten years...

I've called Senior Services, but got a recording and no one has called me back. Does anyone out there have any suggestions on how I can help her? We all know our "kinder, gentler" Republican government doesn't give a damn. I'm hoping somebody does...

I'd appreciate some suggestions.

Peace.