Upsetting

I really deliberated about posting this photo but if Blipfoto is about documenting the day then it has to be done. 

My sister got a call from the council to say that they couldn't access our aunt's house. So we popped round. It is so bad ... she's living in one space in the living room, the 2 bedrooms are full of clothes, books, things, there's a small free path in the kitchen between the fridge & sink - the one room that was relatively clear is the bathroom.

Over the years Auntie M (82) has isolated herself, upset everyone in the family but this was so heartbreaking to discover. However, she's settled, bright and still loves shopping (which is part of the issue). She has home care arrangements so every lunchtime & teatime someone sorts her meals, and 3 times a week there's 'social care' where they take her shopping and are supposed to help with the house, but I guess this has been too overwhelming.

We went through the cupboards to throw out old food (spices with use by dates in 2004 - but we've all got those!), do a bit of obvious rubbish clearance but it was a drop in the ocean. She let us take 5 books for the charity shop, that's all.

Respectfully, these are her possessions, but I must find out what we can do to help as she's living in one small section of one room.