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Diane56 Asked October 2013

If the spouse (caregiver) doesn't have POA for Alzheimer's spouse, can he be forced to put her into a nursing home?

do to force the caregiver to put the Alzheimer patient in the Nursing Home.. Is this true?

Jinx4740 Oct 2013
This is not the first person with dementia to become belligerent. The doctor is unlikely to order a NH unless someone is in danger, and probably not even then!

Getting a good evaluation, maybe from a geriatrician, will be a first step to getting her medication so she is less afraid and easier to handle. Getting education about better ways to talk to people with dementia can also make a big difference. Go to your local Area Council on Aging, to the Alzheimer's Association, and to any experts on dementia in your area. Go to the library and look for books like "I'm Still Here" and videos by Deepa Snow to learn effective methods for handling belligerence.

Authorities are usually very reluctant to interfere with families, even when they should. More information and the right medication will help your family a lot.

vstefans Oct 2013
Unless it is a really bad home situation and APS steps in, it can only be recommended not forced. A good comprehensive geriatric/geropsych eval, which should include a compassionate social worker who knows the system locally, could help see whether medical interventions are going to help and what all the options really are.

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jeannegibbs Oct 2013
The doctor can suggest that a nursing home would be best for her, but I can't see how he could force that.

Getting treatment for her anxiety may help keep her at home.

Diane56 Oct 2013
She is being cared for by her spouse and children but is growing more belligerent and dad is afraid to tell the dr and ask him for something to calm her some ..for fear of being ordered by the dr. to put her in a N. home.. Someone told him the dr. could do that.

vw9729 Oct 2013
With so little information, I'd say this is normally true. But if someone is trying to force the spouse into a nursing home, maybe there are other things involved here? Maybe the home of the caregiver is not livable? Or maybe the doctor deems the caregiver is not taking proper care of the spouse? Just because someone can take care of themselves, does not necessarily mean that they can or should care for someone else. Who are they? Her children from a previous marriage? A little more information would help.

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