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terrimrey Asked October 2019

Is it possible for my father to admit my mother to a nursing home against her will?

My mother has been diagnosed with dementia and is becoming increasingly harder and harder to live with and be cared for by my father - they are both 79. While my mother has never been a very nice person, her dementia is making her extremely mean and "more" difficult. She is hard to get along with, she creates dissension within our family. She refuses to go to the doctor to receive any sort of medical help that can be given to her - she says there is nothing wrong with her. She can't remember from moment to moment what is happening. She asks the same questions over and over - because she has no short term memory. Our family, my dad, needs help and we are at a loss at what to do with her.

KAWnurse Oct 2019
The toll of caring for a family member with dementia is great and it is made more difficult when the family member does not recognize they have a problem. It is really important for your mother to receive care as her symptoms suggest that she may have treatable symptoms such as the tremors. She cannot be placed in a facility against her will unless there is a determination of competency. She would benefit from an evaluation by a specialist in dementia care such as a cognitive neurologist. There are a variety of types of dementia. My mother has a combination of Alzheimers, vascular and Lewy body dementia. She also does not think she has a problem and has no short term memory. We provided care for 5 years until she no longer recognized her own home (or us)and was moved to a memory care unit after a hospitalization. Some medication for her dementia and behaviors have allowed her to sleep better. I can tell you that eventually if she continues on the path without care there will be an emergency-but I would highly suggest taking her to the doctor- even if under the ruse of having your dad seen. If her memory is short - don't ask just take.
It is important to understand that with dementia, some people are truly unaware of her behavior or lack of memory. As well as trying to help your father, I would encourage you to seek information and support from the Alzheimers Association as well as the Area Agency on Aging. Arranging for respite for your dad may be a help in the short term.

Countrymouse Oct 2019
When you say your mother has been diagnosed with dementia: who by, and how did that come about?

Your father certainly can go back to that person; and, assuming that the diagnosis was given by a relevant professional, this should be a good source of advice about where to go next.

Even if your mother is not legally over the threshold for decisions to be made by others in her best interests just yet, at some point she will be; and at that point yes your father will be able to force the issue of medical care and admission to the right facility for her. It can be a long road, but at least there is a road!

So that's where I'd start, with the person who made the original diagnosis. When was that done, by the way, and what led up to your mother's being examined and diagnosed?

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Countrymouse Oct 2019
Okay, so you get in touch with Neurologist 1, from way back in 2017, explain the situation, and seek advice on possible next steps. It will be helpful if you can prompt N1's memory with any correspondence, emails, images and so on from that time; otherwise you'll just get "oh I'll need to see her."

You'll probably hear "oh I'll need to see her" anyway, but then your next question is "yes, but how?" And then at least N1 will have the earlier findings to look at as a guide.

I'm surprised the GP has left it this long. Has your mother successfully dodged even her GP for two years?

terrimrey Oct 2019
Yes - my mom has successfully gone around her GP. The GP even told my dad at the "outside meeting" - that she had done a very good job of hiding what is going on with her.
Grammy6pak Oct 2019
Have you thought about writing a letter to her GP telling him what you are observing and dealing with and what your Dad is going through! You could send it before an appointment then he would be able to talk to her about some of the symptoms!! I did that with my Dad and it worked out well!
MollyMae2 Oct 2019
I’m POA of my mom and I after my health failed had to place her in Assisted living. She wasn’t happy and said she’d never thought I’d do this but I had no choices. We tried home health aides and they seemed more interested in being on their cell phones after work completed and still had time before to leave. Mom said get rid of them. Put I did what I had to do guilt and all. So yes you could but I contacted in my state an Elder Attorney for a free consultation before I made my decision.

rlynn123 Oct 2019
Hello. My husband and I have been in your shoes, dealing with my mom with Alzheimer's, who lived with us for 5 years. 
I even wrote a book about our travails: "My Mother Has Alzheimer's and My Dog Has Tapeworms: A Caregiver's Tale."
She, too, could be unreasonable and mean, even though I know she didn't mean to be mean. That's what Alzheimer's can do.  I'd discuss Assisted Living  options with a lawyer in your state. (I'd tell friends my "state" was  often a state of frustration.) My mom, too, didn't admit to anything being wrong. She tried Assisted Living, but it just wasn't for her, so we took care of her, but I know that's not always possible. I agree with others who have posted here: your local Council on Aging and/or the Alzheimer's Association can be very helpful. Perhaps volunteers can come and sit with your mom, to give your dad a break, (before he reaches his breaking point). Best of luck.

Countrymouse Oct 2019
It sounds as though your mother is very afraid of what *might* be wrong with her.

She is 180º out about the "nothing" they can do about it.

What did the neurologist report in Dec 2017? - just that he wanted to see her again, or did he specify anything to be investigated further?

Tremors make one think "Parkinson's" automatically, but we are not medically qualified and there could be any number of causes.

Who referred your mother for the second neurology appointment that she wouldn't attend?
terrimrey Oct 2019
Her general practitioner referred her a second time to a neurologist - that's the one she refused to see just this past month. She was diagnosed with dementia in December 2017 at the first neurological appointment.
NeedHelpWithMom Oct 2019
There are many people on this forum with family members with dementia. I don’t have any experience with it.

You will receive responses soon. I feel badly for your family. I’m sorry you are going through this pain.

Have you spoken to her physician? Have you spoken to your dad about possibly placing her? Would he go along with it? I would encourage him to do so if he objects. Is he crying out for help? Is he getting any relief from your mom?

I wish your family well during this difficult and challenging time. Hugs!
terrimrey Oct 2019
We have "back-doored" her doctor appointments by calling ahead and telling the doctor that she will not see the doc if my dad goes in with her (which is what had been happening - she said she wouldn't see the doc if he went in with her). The doctor called my dad into another room after my mom was called back, and he was able to tell the doctor what has really been going on - instead of her telling the doctor everything is fine.

Yes - he is definitely crying out for help. My mother has always been the "in-charge" person and is still so - even in her dementia. So incredibly sad.
terrimrey Oct 2019
My mother has "tremors" that she has been experiencing for years. My dad was able to convenience her to see a neurologist because of the tremors......but really we/he suspected dementia. That was in December 2017. Still no known diagnosis on the tremors because she allows no one to go back to see the doctor with her.

She was recently referred to a neurologist (don't know if it was the same) again for further testing. She refused to go. Said there was nothing wrong with her, and even if there is, there is nothing they can do about it.
ExhaustedPiper Oct 2019
I'm sorry you and your father are going through this. My mom "hates" the neurologist who referred her for the testing that resulted in her diagnosis, refuses to go back "EVER" and also tells everyone she is fine (except for pain to get her pain meds) including doctors. It's like she is doing everything in her power to erase that she was diagnosed even though her dementia has become more and more obvious. I tell you all this because I understand your frustration, believe me, you are not alone.

Does your dad have a durable power of attorney? I really hope so because he will need it when her dementia gets bad enough that she will not be able to deny it to doctors.

I also hope your dad is getting breaks.

Countrymouse has lots of good advice here, and others will chime in too. I just wanted you to know you have my empathy.
dragonflower Oct 2019
If a person is deemed a danger to themselves or others (from a safety standpoint), they can be admitted to a nursing home against their will.
shar1953 Oct 2019
No; not until they're declared without capacity or taken to a psych ward for 72 hour observation against their will. Than it would be a psych ward not a LTC they would be admitted to. FYI
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