What can I do?
By lucy02
@lucy02 (5015)
United States
August 10, 2007 12:47am CST
As I mentioned in another discussion, my mother is bipolar with schizoid affective disorder. She also has had a small stroke a few years ago and heart surgery last year. She quit taking her meds (all of them, blood pressure, diabetes, cholestrol, and psych meds). She had a stroke yesterday (I'm pretty sure) because she was complaining of her foot being asleep and she's dragging it somewhat. I took her to the hospital but she would not get out to the car. They said there was nothing that could be done and I should take her home and respect her wishes. I called another hospital and they said also that she could not be treated without her permission. I had tried before to get her put in a geriatric psych ward to get her back on her meds but was told the commitment process would be really rough and someone her age and health might not make it. She's 80 y/o. It's scary cause I don't think I will ever be able to get her to a doctor again no matter what happens.
2 people like this
1 response
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
26 Dec 07
When my oldest sister-in-law got too bad *she has a form of als * that she could not function, her son drew up a power of attorney and he took care of things for her. I would suggest that you get a lawyer and get power of attorney so if your mother does get so that she prevents a danger to herself, you can make decision for her. Do you realize that if anything happened to your mother while she was living with her -especially with her condition - that you will be blamed? So if she refuses to take her medication, it is your fault. These hospitals are putting all the blame for what will happen to your mother on you, and they are not giving any legal right to protect yourself. So get a lawyer and get power of attorney.
1 person likes this
@lucy02 (5015)
• United States
27 Dec 07
Thanks Suspenseful. Actually I had Power of Medical Atty but was told that it was useless if she was conscious and refused. Since I posted we have gotten a conservatorship and got her in a hospital. Problem is that the meds didn't work (they put her on a new one) and now she's stopped taking them again. We are trying to find another psych facility and someone came out to evaluate her today. I was told to bring her down tomorrow for admittance. We'll see how it goes. I have been told before they would take her at different places and then when she started acting out they changed their mind.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
25 Jul 08
I hope you can find a good place for her. It would be obvious that she is not in her right mind. It must be terrible when you know there is something wrong, and the authorities do not believe her as she has these moments of comprehension. I know that it will all work out for the best and you will soon get help with her.
