by Mulan 22 Replies latest jw friends
Mulan
Can you hide a video camera and tape her bad behavior for when she tries to con people?
Just an idea. Maybe it could force some sort of evaluation.
KY Been
P.S. My father in law is in a nursing home now with Alzhiemers, funny thing is he was always a disagreeable nasty old coot (IMO). Now he smiles all the time, is real loving. Wow wish he was like that when he knew what he was doing. I've been in the family 23 yrs.
Thanks Wendy, for telling me about the Baker Act. I am looking up info on it now, and it seems to be only the State of Florida. It was a nice thought, that it could be so easy.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Mulan
I know i keep bashing on about UK Mental Health Act 1983, but there MUST be an equivalent in the USA that you should be able to access and use.
It is very routine for a social worker and two psychiatrists to assess a person in their own home and determine that they are suffering from a mental illness of a nature or degree that requires treatment in a hospital.
If the person in the community is refusing to go into hospital, whether they have the capacity to make the decision or not, provided they are suffering from a mental illness, then they are taken against their will into hospital, and treated against their will.
The other option is for the Nearest Relative (strict legal order would be: husband/wife; son/daughter(over 16 years); mother/father; brother/sister etc etc). The Nearest Relative has the power to make an application for a mental health act assessment - this is used where you cannot get hold of a social worker. What usually happens is that the hospital will contact an emergency duty social worker to take the responsibility from you - that way on the paperwork it is not YOU that is putting your mother in hospital, but the mental health professionals.
During this process your mother will probably deny that she has an illness and make out that you are the worst person on the planet. PLEASE do not take any notice of this - it usually happens. But once the person is stabilised on the correct medication, then their balance of mind will often improve to a point where your relationship with your mother could continue on a more even keel. Maybe once your mother is ready to be discharged back into the community, she could be discharged to a warden accommodation, or residential home - the mental health care team will have all the information you need.
Please ask the mental health professionals for help. They KNOW what can be done and the options available to you in your country. I can only give you guidance based on UK law.
Hugs again to you and your family.
Nowfree
