What to do about a neighbors nasty house?

Question

I have a neighbor who is a 67 year old female that lives by herself along with her 4 cats and 3 cremated cats.

But it is one of the most disturbing things i have ever seen.

The odor is sooo bad you can smell it from my house when the wind is blowing :(

She is about 600 lbs and cant hardly get around, not because of her weight but the mess ha,ha.

She moves around in her wheelchair and she has one of those foam pads in the seat and the pad is covered in her own urine and p**p BAD!

There is cat p**p and urine everywhere in this house, her floor looks like the landfill, and her kitchen floor has dried smeared p**p all over it.

there are flies everywhere and magots!

she called me and asked me if i would help her do a load of laundry, because she had not washed clothes in 3 years and had not taking a bath in 4 years!!!!!!!!!!

I make up excuses because i cant handle it.

the odor of cat urine is soo strong it burns my eyes.

her toenails are about 4 inches long and she has wore the same gown for about a year now unwashed!

she had ordered a new bed and asked me and my husband if we would bring it in for her, well we did and i about went in shock when i looked in her closet.......there was about a 4x4 area of cat p**p in a pile about 6 inches or so.

My husband was so mad he wanted to go scream at her.

Well my thing is that she is sooo nice to me, but what should i do?

Should i call someone and if so....who?

Answer 1

Oh my gosh, this is so sad for this woman and her cats.  I'm not sure what to tell you.  I did several searches, and wasn't getting much until I put in my nearest large city and state.   Social Services came up several times, so you may want to start there.   Try a google or yahoo search with: help for disabled +City, State.  Try it with Seniors, too.  This woman needs a case worker and some help fast.  You may want to try the Council on Aging.  Their link is below.

You can contact the local Senor Citizens Center and ask if they have anyone that can contact this woman and give her resources.  The one in my are has tons of information for all sorts of help.  They may be able to help you get the ball rolling for her.

Your own physician may know of local resources for disabled and elderly people also.

I'm not sure what will be the most use to you, since I don't know what area this lady lives in.  You are the ones she has turned to.  It sounds like she has no one to look in on her anymore.  She is lucky you're willing to take the time and trouble to get her some help.

I've had elderly disabled relatives who lived on their own well into their late 90's.  Welfare/Social Services sent someone to bath them weekly and help with their toenails an such.  They did not send in anyone to clean their homes, do laundry and the like, as they were able to do basic cleaning themselves.

I'm glad there are still people like you in our world.  It certainly makes it a much nicer place.  I hope you receive the kindness and help you show her back tenfold.

You know the old saying, There but for the grace of God, go you or I.  This question really got me thinking about that.  I hope I can do as much for someone as you are doing.

Answer 2

i would call your local animal shelter and explain things... they would know what to do from there.. they might be able to help her with cleaning things up and getting the cats a better home.  Sounds like she can't do too much on her own you might wanna talk to her about getting a nurse to come help with some of the chores along with her personal care.  hope things get better and good luck