Sister Maureen Schoolar - stroke

I am starting a GoFundMe on behalf of my sister Maureen Shirley Schoolar. Her birthday was January 30, and she is 68.

Maureen lives alone and fell in her home and was on the floor for possibly 4 days before friends and neighbors called the police who entered her home.

At the hospital, the neurologist report was that she had a stroke on the 4th day because of severe dehydration. She also had extreme high blood pressure, a urinary tract infection, and another infection.

She did not break any bones or have any injuries. But the stroke on the left side of her brain controls her language and comprehension. She was and is confused and can't understand things clearly. It is not known for how long, or if, she will regain speech and awareness.

I drove immediately and stayed for 7 days in a motel until she was transferred from the hospital to a rehab.

She can't answer simple questions and can't write her name to sign any document. (Such as giving me a Power of Attorney over her well-being and finances. ) In the past 12 years, Maureen and I have lost our Mom and 2 older sisters. I am her only immediate relative that can step in, but I have to do it legally, and I can't on my own.

I do know that when rehab exhausts, she can't live alone, but there is no immediate financial guarantee for a nursing home. And no one has legal access to her bank account, mortgage, income, or even debts.

Friday I had a 30 minute $100 cost phone consultation with a probate attorney there. The information was hurried and not inclusive or exact. He was clear about his $3,000 though.

That will only get the lengthy process started with filings in the court for guardianship. After time and investigation of her situation, an unbiased conservator will be appointed to handle her finances. I am told. And I will be relieved --- amen.

In the meantime, I will have to make trips to handle some things, and I will keep receipts of every penny spent for legal review. I have my own busy life with my husband and grandchildren and obligations but I will try to help my sister in her plight.

Maureen has struggled with deep grief and loss of interest after her husband's death on October 7, 2021. Two years prior to that when Rusty had kidney failure, Maureen had a hard and tenuous daily routine and schedule of getting him to doctor visits, emergency rooms, hospitals, and 3 day-a-week mandatory dialysis treatments. Thus, she totally neglected her own health and daily required living needs. After his death, I think she lost her sense of purpose and fell into deeper and total depression and despair. She got lost emotionally, and almost physically. Her house is uninhabitable because of extreme neglect and will need professional cleaning.

Her house is secure and under good neighborhood watch, and I am unsure if her personal possessions will have to be removed.

Another delicate and urgent matter is the care for her 2 dogs. They were in the house with her after she fell until she was found. A neighbor is feeding them, but can't keep them at her house. Foster families or rescue organizations are needed. A call to the local animal shelter said they would hold them only 7 days and then......

Please help in any small way you can, and prayers are always very much needed.

Advice to all: Get together with your family and execute legal-binding paperwork for your own will, durable power of attorney, and medical/health, financial power of attorney so there is no delay, guesswork, or complication for your loved ones.

Please share with friends of Maureen.

Love, Sharon Shirley Carraway