How to help adult child deal with uninhabitable home

Posted by suefromminn @suefromminn, 6 days ago

I have a brilliant single 40+ daughter with multiple challenges. Currently coming out of medical crisis, staying in my home because hers is too dirty & cluttered to be safe. We have tried for over 20 years to help her deal with just this issue, but now too unsafe to ignore.
It is probable that the root of many of her health conditions is the house and her pets.
Now, we need to know next steps in getting her started. She "has made some calls" but now is going into her usual avoidance mode - "too tired", "in a minute", daytime sleeping, etc.
Help!

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Phoenix | @kudzu | 5 days ago

Sorry for your daughter’s situation, but I’m also concerned for the pets. It sounds like they may not be getting needed care. Are they safe? Who is taking care of them while she’s with you? Maybe a local rescue needs to be called to take them out of the home.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | 3 days ago

Is your daughter under psychiatric care? Has your 20 years of trying to help her back fired and you inadvertently became an enabler without knowing it at first? Has her health always been an issue or did it begin with her poor living situation?
Consider getting her home deemed uninhabitable by authorities while she’s not there? Who takes care of her animals when she’s at your home? Sounds from your brief description that she’s unable to care for herself or her pets adequately? Is she a conservatorship candidate?