Mother rescued cat as a kitten. She's been treated for scratches from the cat. She has compromised her safety climbing stairs to get cat. Cat attacks Mom when she's not looking, when walking or jumps on her when she's unaware. Mom lives alone,and sleeps with bedroom door open. She won't put cat in basement at night. (Feels it's cruel). Mom has rigged up a paneling cardboard thing to keep cat out of hall leading to her bedroom. It's difficult to set up for me, much less her. She has age related memory and bad choices issues. We bought her a $500.00 air cleaner with remote, she either forgets to use it.or feels it puts out cold air,and won't use in winter. Mom thought she had head cold. Flu turned into Pneumonia. She either fainted or fell going to restroom at night,and was to weak to get up. She was rescued by alert system and taken to hospital. No physical damage, but so weak, she's been in therapy for 3 weeks. I'm flying home, and am going to try to be her caregiver for 6 months. Because of my HMO, that's the limit I can stay. I have a Brother that is helping me. In that time we have decisions to make. She can't live alone anymore. House to be cleared of 60 years of accumulation that turned into hoarding the last 10 years.
Mom wants my husband and I to move to her house. We have children and Grand,and Great Grand Children in Calif. The climate where she lives is why we moved 50 years ago. We're 70 years old and have some health issues.
I believe I will have so much to deal with, I don't want the cat there when Mom comes home. My Brother and good friend and neighbor thinks the cat is good for her. What should we do?
Check her house for mold. Dampish basement storage is often the culprit.
Air out her house completely. Change the furnace filter. Gosh, this is a lot to take on at your age, are you sure you want to do this?
If your mom doesn't want the cat in the bedroom at night but wants to still keep her bedroom door open, install a wooden screen door, of course the cat will probably hang on the screen so that will need to be replaced on a regular basis. I agree, don't put the cat in the basement, that is cruel unless it's the cat's own idea of going down there. My male cat has is own *man cave* in the basement to get away from the girl cats when he feels they are too annoying :P
By the way, who is caring for the cat while your mom has been away? I hope a neighbor is feeding the cat and cleaning out the cat litter, unless the cat goes outdoors.
I agree with your brother, the good friend, and the neighbor about the cat. That cat is your mom's *baby* since she rescued the cat as a kitten... there's a special bond there. As for the cat "attacking" mom, the cat is playing. I know I have my fair share of scratches, mostly my own fault by reaching toward the cat to pet him instead of petting from behind him... some cats feel a sense of threat when approached that way.