How do I care for my mentally unstable 83 year old mom who recently tried to commit suicide?

She probably needs to go to a facility, either memory care (if she has dementia) or skilled nursing. Why do you want POA?

You do not "get" POA. That is conferred upon you by a competent and capable individual, called the principle, who asks you to take over according to his or her wishes when he or she is unable to act for him/herself.

Suicide attempt is reportable at once to MD, hospital, and should include hospital/doctor intervention, perhaps by a 5150 hold to ascertain if the suicidal ideation remains.

Rehab is now involved, though I cannot IMAGINE in my wildest dreams how they will help. However, they DO have social workers, and that is where you start, by telling the social workers of the suicide attempt and getting pointers how you may help to prevent another attempt. As you can imagine, a POA, whether in place or not in place is of ZERO help to prevent suicide.

We I you I would also consider giving a call to the suicide hotline and ask for some help in proceeding. This is a national hotline at 988.

I would not take it on.

(We have bipolar and schizophrenia in our family.)

This is a difficult situation. Another resident of the memory care assisted-living facility where my mom lives is there because she committed self-harm and the hospital wouldn't (or couldn't) release her to her home after her brief hospital stay. She is married and has 7 or 8 adult children. She has a few memory issues, but her cognition seems much better than that of all the other residents. She wants to get out, but no permanent home or placement has been decided on.

Please consider NOT becoming her power of attorney. You still won’t be able to MAKE her do anything against her will until she’s so far gone mentally that it’s clear to everyone who sees her that she’s severely demented or has had a permanent psychotic break. You can still advocate for her if you choose, but being POA for someone who will not listen to reason is a no win situation.

Where did she live before? Why she can't go back there?

How are you "getting Power of Attorney" if your mom is in the hospital and then off to rehab? Those typically are done in a lawyers office and your mom would have to be there to sign over power to you. Is the lawyer coming to the hospital to do it, and do you in all honesty really want to be your moms POA, or do you think it best to just let the state take over her care? I'm thinking the latter would be best at this point.

I'd place her in Skilled Nursing care if it were me. Caring for a suicidal elder with mental health issues requires nursing supervision, so unless you have an RN, you're not qualified. Apply for Medicaid if necessary. The social worker in rehab can guide you.

Best of luck to you.