I'm sorry to use up space with a diary like this, but I really need some help.
I received a call on Monday informing me that my brother was at the Maricopa Medical Center. He's been having small strokes for the past two years and they finally have rendered him pretty much helpless. His short term memory is gone and they don't expect him to get it back. It took them 6 days before they could find a number for me, because he remembered he had a sister, but couldn't remember my number. I still don't know exactly how they found how to get in touch with me.
His health problems are more than just the stroke and I'm 2000 miles away and the only one who can make decisions for him. I had to make these life and death decisions for my mom, but I never thought I'd have to do it for my brother and do it while being so far away.
I am not sure how I'm going to find the money to get out there to see him or take care of his apartment and find out about his dog. I don't even know if his dog is in the apartment or if he was walking her when he had this last stroke or where she is. I'm hoping I'll be able to borrow some money for a flight and I guess I'm going to max out my credit cards for the rest. I need to find a clean, inexspensive motel to stay in, until I can get into his apartment. Does anyone know of a place near the Medical Center like that?
I've tried calling the social worker at the Medical Center, but have not received a call back. I know they are busy, but I've left three messages and am feeling like I'll never hear from her. I need to find out if they have his keys. I need to find out who is landlord is (the born again who recently told my brother, while he was preparing to evict him, to give everything over to God and his life would fall in line). My brother is never going to be able to go back to living alone. He will probably end up in the Arizona Long Term Care system. I need to cancel his utilities, mail and paper. I need to get to his place and pack it up and put it in storage, I guess. I don't know what else to do with it at this point. I can't stay more than a week, at this time. Putting it in storage for a few months seems like the only thing to do, until I can find some money to come back out to dispense with it. So I need to know, if anyone knows of a reasonably priced storage place near the 3600 block of Monterosa, or close to that neighborhood?
I know, in the wake of his medical condition that worrying about his residence and his belongings might seem trivial, but I'm trying to protect his privacy from his landlord. I don't know what renters' rights are in the state of Arizona. Does a landlord have the right to claim his property for unpaid rent (I think it's only February that is unpaid)? Does anyone know how I can find this stuff out?
I'm sorry, if this sounds disjointed. I'm just trying to deal with all this and thought maybe someone here could give me some answers to my quesitons. If you can't that's okay. I realize I might just be grabbing at straws.
UPDATEI called a place I found online to help with some of the information about the landlord/tenant stuff. They were able to give me the name and address of the landlord. So, I'm going to call him and see what I can work out with him.
Thanks to all of you who have sent well wishes and given advice and emailed me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help.
UPDATE 2 I was finally able to get in touch with the landlord and I think we've worked out how to handle some of this stuff. Thanks again to all who replied and gave me advice. It never ceases to amaze me the support this community offers to its members. I'll never forget it.