Mental health question

[Holly_Hobby]

My Mom is having a mental episode again and she's refusing to get help, as usual. She's 74. She's manic and paranoid.

Is there a way that the 3 kids, including myself, can get control of her to be sure she goes for help, even if that means a stay in a facility for 30 days? Or is there nothing we can do? Does she have to be a danger to herself or others?

My Dad used to handle her episodes and get her to check into a facility, but she won't listen to us kids. Thanks.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Do you have durable power of attorney for healthcare?

As far as I know, otherwise you would have to get a court order, depending on the local laws.

Good luck.

[Holly_Hobby]

3. Yes,

POA is in my name. Thanks.

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. Call her primary-care physician and learn what your options are.

n/t

[Holly_Hobby]

8. Excellent advice, thank you! n/t

[DesertFlower]

4. good luck. nt

[Rosemary2205]

2. Call 911.

They'll have to call the sheriff's dept. She can be forcibly taken to the emergency room, an ER doctor can have her committed against her will.

This is a last resort to keep someone alive - because if you do it, it's likely she will never speak to any of you again and then no one will be able to help her the next time.

[Holly_Hobby]

5. Thanks - at least I know there's help if we need it n/t

[Droopy]

7. I don't think there is anything you can do without a power of attorney

Unless she has threatened to hurt herself or someone else. If that happens you can call in the authorities.

[Holly_Hobby]

9. I have a POA for healthcare

She signed it so long ago, I had forgotten about it. I just got it out of our safe.

Thanks.

[Daphne]

10. Trust me. Just love her. And grow thick skin,

The options offered by our current jurisprudence are way too cruel.

[sam sarrha]

11. my aunt, same age had vitamin decency/B's an reaction to a med,she got better, pray the best 4 u

[cuke]

12. Get an attorney that specializes in Elder Law

You may have to get a guardianship

[happyslug]

13. Check your local Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MH/MH) group.

MH/MR agencies are the STATE agencies set up to help people with mental disabilities. Check with them first. Second, Check your local "Agency of the Aging" or whatever Ohio's Calls their agency to help the elderly. In cases where the affects of old age kicks in, they also have the authority to assist people like your mother (even if that is NOT what your Mother wants). These two agencies have the POWER to help someone who is a danger to themselves or others, and what is a danger to themselves and others is wider then you may think.

Furthermore both agencies have workers who can go out to people's home and asst them to get to appointments AND talk them into seeing their Doctor. Ofter this is all that is needed.

As to you and your siblings, you can always contact the police and inform the Police of your fears (i.e. she is a harm to herself or others). Based on that report the Police have the power to arrest her (i.e. take her against her will) to the local Mental Health Hospital for observation. The Hospital has a Psychologist on Duty who will examine her and if in his or her opinion she is a danger to herself or other Commit her for up to three days. A hearing has to be held at that time. These are done in my county (Cambria County Pennsylvania) by a person from the District Attorneys Office to represent the state desire keep her in the hospital for 30 more days, a Person from the Public Defender's Office to represent her, and a Master to make the decision for the Judge. If the Defendant agrees to stay, not much of a problem.

As to what you can do INDEPENDENT OF THE COURTS, not much. She is an adult and as such assumed to be sane UNLESS you can prove otherwise. Check with you local MH/MR and Agency on the Aging for more details.