I'm asking for advice and help because it's so stressful on Mom. Every time she thinks about the possiblity of having G'ma declared incompetent she starts crying. She feels so useless living so far away and she can't afford to retire for another 3 yrs so she can't go up there. Her house is two story and and with G'ma's memory so bad she doesn't think she can move G'ma here. (and with two deadbeat siblings).

I'd like to be able to get some information for her, so I can maybe take some of the burden off of her and my aunt.

You know the problem with breaking national (and yet not that important) news? It means it's the main story on all the local newspages, relegating to tiny sidebars the underground fire which has caused the traffic and power to be cut off in the four blocks surrounding my apartment.

askye, if you get a durable power of attorney, you don't have to have her declared incomptent, because it is specifically designed to be in effect if the principal (your gma) becomes incapacitated.

In case anyone is interested, [link] -- includes a video of the smoke (and flames) visible at street level (also includes a helicopter shot of what appears to be the construction about a block away. I think they got confused).

Thanks Vortex. I'll find out if that's what my aunt has.

So please send cool thoughts toward vw, the non-vw roommate, and the two pets, who are hoping the effects of the AC linger as long as possible (since it's 88 degrees outside and we have no battery-powered fans).

My mom had to get power of attorney for my grandfather so she could kick my uncle out of my grandfather's house (the uncle was being abusive).

IIRC the actuall gettting the power of attorney was straightforward.

Em, it might be a good evening to take in a movie.

Alas, if only they would let us bring the pets.

Put them in your backpacks. Go to the Somerville. I doubt they'd notice.