Help with brother taking advantage of mother

Hello all,

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My mother is 78 years old with early dementia and a big heart. My brother is 60 years old with alcoholism and a gambling addiction, as well as poor health due to diabetes and drinking. My mother has always kept her doors open to her kids, in case they were in need, but he has taken advantage of this and moved in completely, against her desires. She complains that she wants him gone, but can't just send him out on the street, as he is her son.

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Her home has become unlivable. He has discontinence and is urinating and deficating himself with no mind to cleaning it up, so her main living space smells horrid. He will make himself food for meals, but does not include her, and she has developed nutritional deficiencies due to not eating. Her health is declining rapidly.

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My solution is for my wife, kids and I to move in with her and my wife will stay home to look after her and make sure she's eating properly. The only problem is how to get him to leave without my mom accepting him back in once we're there. I will not have my kids around him.

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I've tried talking to him and he just says he's got nothing he can do, so it is what it is. Ive reached out to his adult children, who have essentially tried all they could, and have given up. I've tried anyone who might still have a relationship with him, but it appears that all bridges have been burned. I don't wish him ill will, but I cannot sit by and watch this happen to my mother.

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There is a local homeless shelter, but I assume he won't go, and even if he does, he'll be back and my mother will not turn him away. She does not want him there, but cannot get past her guilt of telling him "no".

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Any advice is appreciated, thank you

Posted Jun 11, 2026, 10:35 PM UTC

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