I need help with my with my mother 72 years old. I’m afraid she’s a danger to herself and she has severe mental issues. I need help.

The laws are touchy around mental health issues in the US. It is legal to have untreated mental illness in the US.

However, if you think she is a danger to herself I'd call 911 or APS to talk to them. Be aware that being unvoluntarily committed might only get her checked in some place for 3 days.

Best of luck to you and take care of yourself.

If you think she is a danger to herself, call 911 and explain that what has been going on.

Are there specific behaviours or situations that seems dangerous?

Some of the big ones for me I call the cluster of 4 Fs:
- Falls
- Frauds - falling for them
- Fire hazzard - forgetting how to cook, use equipment safely or forgetting how to raisean alarm in an emergency
- Fears - eg about neighbours stealing or watching?

Or a more general, subtle decline in ability?

When someone is a danger to themselves and/or others, you should call 911 and tell them that. They can intervene and get her medical treatment, against her will if they feel like she is in danger, it is called a 5150 or Baker Act, in AZ anyway.

I agree with Lea that your best move forward is to discuss with APS in your area.
However, I do hope to warn you that intervention in the case of mental illness is not NEARLY so easily done as for dementia. The law sides with the person who is mentally ill, that they still have rights to make decisions regarding their own lives. It is often impossible to intervene and is very frustrating.


I recommend Liz Scheier's book, a memoir, called Never Simple. It is quite inexpensive used on Amazon. Ms. S. attempted for decades to intervene for and help her mentally challenged mom. all to no avail. Not everything can be fixed.

Call APS in your area and tell them your concerns.

Good luck to you.