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Ìý I really don't know how to start this conversation , but I'll try. I am one of 5 living siblings that are trying to care for our mother. The doctor told us that our mother should not be left alone because she might wander off and not know where she is. Me and 2 other siblings are still working. The other 2 are not working, because of their disabilities. Two of my siblings , along with my mother , have a residence in Maryland and the other 3 live in Florida. My sister in Maryland attempted to get POA, but the lawyer could not do it, because my mom didn't know what was going on. My other sister has been watching our mother at our mom's residence in Maryland, but needs to get a break from giving care. I have emailed a lawyer for some guidance, but haven't heard from them. I looked into guardianship, but not sure what to do. Is there any single day help available? I would like to know ourÌýoptions.Ìý
Thank you for reaching out and for sharing what you and your family are going through. It is clear from your email how much you care, but also how difficult and overwhelming this situation must feel, especially with your siblings in different states, varying responsibilities, and the increasing care needs of your mother. It’s clear how much you all care and are trying to do the right thing under challenging circumstances.
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Based on what you’ve shared, there are a few important considerations and potential next steps:
- Since your mother is no longer able to understand or participate in decision-making, pursuing guardianship through the court is the most appropriate legal pathway. This would allow a designated individual to make decisions on her behalf. You are correct that elder law attorney can guide you through this process, so it is worth following up again or contacting another elder law firm for legal opinion since you haven’t heard back. The Maryland Department of Aging manages aÌýÌýthat would be a good starting point for you.Ìý In addition, the State of Maryland published an updatedÌýÌýin 2025.
- In terms of immediate support, there are services that can provide short-term or even single-day relief, often referred to asÌýrespite care. This can include:
- In-home care providers who can come for a few hours or a full day
- Adult day programs that provide supervision, engagement, and meals
- Short-term stays in assisted living or skilled nursing (sometimes called respite stays)
- Given that your mother resides in Maryland, I encourage you to contact your local Area Agency (AAA) on Aging or Maryland Access Point (MAP). They can help assess your situation, connect you with respite services, and guide you through available public and community-based resources. You can find the contact information for your local AAA onÌý
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On ourÌýAcademy for Lifelong Learning, where you are now, you can access additional resources related to dementia and caregiving. Our experts include lawyers, medical doctors specializing in dementia, and other geriatric healthcare providers.Ìý
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Please know that you are not alone in navigating this, and there are supports available to help both your mother and your family.
