Please bear with me here. I really need some opinions on how to help a friend.
Brief history: I have a friend Ed who is nearing 80yrs of age, and of First Nations (aboriginal) descent. He is a former eyecare patient of mine; he says I cared for him without the marginalization he received from other healthcare providers, and we got to be fast friends over the last 10 years. I've been a friend, housekeeper, cook, caregiver to him (as a friend, not in any official capacity). I know more about him and his wishes than his family. I am his executrix for his estate when the time comes, but I have no POA. (his sister and sister-in-law are both older and failing physically and mentally, and his nephew takes a kind of hands-off approach to Ed's care)
He called this morning and asked for help. He was feeling very poorly and asked me to get him to a doctor (and this is a man who NEVER asks to see a doctor). I drove into town to his place, and he was a mess. Very ill indeed. I called an ambulance and got him to the hospital, where he remains tonight undergoing tests and all that.

If you're still with me, here is my dilemma: he is past the point where he can adequately care for himself at home. Despite my efforts to clean his home (a small, old trailer), he lives in utter squalor. Despite my cooking for him when I can, his dietary habits are terrible. He lives like a hermit. He has a decent income from his pensions, yet he has always chosen to live like this. Now he will likely need somewhere warm and clean to recuperate, and his home is NOT the place. In fact, nobody should be allowed to live there.
What should I do?? I can bring him to my place and look after him here in the short term, but how can I approach the subject of nursing homes, assisted-living homes, or places like that? He will NOT be happy to have these suggestions brought up. He is 100% mentally, but failing physically, and far too independant to admit it or submit easily to a care facility. His closest kin can't really be of much help, but I can't do much either since I have no POA and am not kin.
Ideas, anyone?
Thanks,
Sherry.