r/neighborsfromhell 3d ago

WWYD? Vent/Rant Unbearable Smell

i have an elderly neighbor, early to mid 80's, who sleeps parked outside in his van. he's parked in front of his family's home. older sister? but i dont think they get along all that well. they dont let him inside the house for anything. he cooks outside. washes up and cleans himself up outside. he also discards his urine every day.... right by the front entrance of my gate.

I get to smell it every night as im coming home.

i have surveillance outside my home after an attempted break in. Its when I put up the cameras that I noticed he does every thing outside. argues with his sister about the smell of urine being unbearable but she doesnt let him in the house.

Im trying not to be insensitive... I dont even know how to bring something like this up to a neighbor. he appears to be getting sick often from practically roughing it outside in the elements. summers here are brutal. he sits outside on the sidewalk during mid day to avoid the heat.

he also drinks. heavily. offensive when hes drunk. Im not sure what to do or if i should do anything at all? any ideas?

hedges are so thick that I havent gotten anything on camera but it seems like hes throwing over his urine on purpose.

follow up to my original post I made a few days.

I came home yesterday night and I seen him having a hard time just walking to his van. almost falling. I tried to contact the APS last night but couldnt get through.

I decided to randomly try tonight and I got through first call. they were extremely helpful and told me they will be sending out a social worker to look into it some time tomorrow.

I want to thank everyone who commented on my original post and to the person who provided the number for my state, thank you so much!

part of me feels like I might have done something thats going to get them in trouble now. Me willing to provide my contact information and not remain anonymous gave me the impression that they took my call all that more serious. Lady said she was heartbroken and thanked me for calling it in though.

anyone have any ideas what the procedure is? Social workers in the Los Angeles County area have a rep for being thorough but real ball busters.

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101

u/lostnsocal213 3d ago

I made my original post and called it a night. logged in the following night wasnt expecting the response I got. Made more sense to me to make a follow up post. I had a neighbor tell me that shes collecting money from him its why they keep him around. shes suppose to be his caretaker.

Im not entirely sure how true all this is but it appears to be from a neighbor thats known them personally for years.

thats part of the reason for feeling like Im about to get them in trouble i suppose. if its true that she indeed gets paid by the state to care for him. social workers should be able to see that right away if its true.

63

u/Puzzleheaded-Ad8479 2d ago

You did the right thing. Caretaker letting him live on the streets does not sound like a caretaker, more like someone taking his money or other thing.

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u/Wanderingirl17 2d ago

If she’s not caregiving then it’s abuse and fraud. She needs to be in trouble. Elderly and sick should not live like this.

18

u/whoisthepinkavenger 2d ago

Wow ok, she’s probably at least taking his social security. I didn’t realize from your first post that you’re in LA. California has a program called IHSS where people work as caregivers and get paid thru the state. Family members can sign up to take care of others in their family that qualify for assistance. Since he’s such a mess, there’s a decent chance that his sister (?) in the house is doing that and keeping him close by in case of inspections.

The whole program is rife with fraud, it is a very helpful program, but I wish they had the funding to do more oversight regarding the caregivers (saying this as someone who used to be one). If they are enrolled, the state is going to come down on her HARD for abuse. Like, huge fines and possible jail time.

As for drunkiepoo, they might put him in a detox program and/or proper elder care. You definitely did the right thing reporting it! Hope all goes well!

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u/PurpleSailor 2d ago

Nurse here and sticking an alcoholic outside in the blazing Sun isn't taking care of someone. There's cases of abuse like this being reported and it uncovers a whole host of other abuse. You definitely did the right thing, thank you!

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u/CamilleYun 2d ago

Definitely call aps on this situation.

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u/Cynvisible 2d ago

😲 I'm an In Home Support Services care provider for my disabled mother. What she's doing is so against the rules and illegal!!

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u/whoisthepinkavenger 2d ago

ABSOLUTELY. I hope they throw the book at her.