Mom's in assisted living. They said if she refuses to take Zoloft they'll send her for a psych. evaluation. Can they?

Please notice this reason why an SSRI may be very important for elderly.
"Serotonin production lessens with age and may be a contributing factor to diseases associated with aging."
Read more on livestrong.
Someone with behavioral issues needs to have a good psych eval and medical intervention--could be medication or cognitive therapy. Many contributers seem to think medications should be vigorously avoided, but in reality, though often misused or over used, when properly used can significantly improve quality of life. Personally, although over 60 I take no prescription meds at present, but have through my life needed and appreciated appropriate medication.
First, educate yourself about the suggested medication. Weigh the risk/benefit ration. Consult with a trusted health professional.
Your mom's life could be greatly improved if this med helps make up for the loss of neuro chemical the elderly fail to continue to make for themselve in adequate amounts.

This sounds like a school for seeing a child to take Ritalin. Galling. Do you already have her trust, her will, her durable POA and her health POA in place. You asked about consequences and the worst I can think of is if those documents are not in place and the neuro/psych evil finds her impaired, she might not be able to sign any documents after that time. But if they're not already signed and she's currently impaired, a lawyer probably isn't going to let her sign anyway. Other than that, Zoloft is a neurotropic drug and I'm a big believer in having drugs of those types only prescribed by a neurologist or a psychiatrist. They can be continued by a PCP, but not initiated IMHO. So, I personally would insist on such an evaluation BEFORE I allowed her to be put on zoloft or anything else of that nature. Those drugs change your brain chemistry and are used all to routinely, almost experimentally.

Unforunately the ones who are hard to handle in a facility does make it somewhat difficult for the other residents. Especially during sundowning, all it takes is for one resident to be disruptive and it sets off a chain reaction. Have they tried to put her meds into applesauce or icecream? This trick usually works, but even then they refuse to eat it. But if is something that they can do figure out what she likes best, chances are she won't turn it down. Best wishes

There's not much information here, but what is the reason for the zoloft? Is she having panic attacks, anxiety or harmful to herself? I don't know too much about your laws over there as I am in Canada, but your mother has rights to refuse. They can not force her to take anything against her will. Does she have dementia/ or how is her state of mind? I would personally speak with her Dr. about this and see why this is being pushed onto her.

Who is the "they" at assisted living who is saying this? The medical director? You mom's own doctor should have a discussion with "they" and then a discussion should ensue about the next steps. SSRIs can be life-savers!

I don't know if this applies, since you don't mention the underlying condition, but .. adding to Skinnona's comment: "Many stroke survivors experience feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, sadness, fear and hopelessness in varying degrees. These emotions are common with post-stroke depression, which affects more than a third of stroke survivors." (National Stroke Association). Our doctor prescribed Celexa. At the beginning, she'd wake up and ask why she didn't just die. Within a month or so, she stopped asking. Her temperament completely changed from a demanding, exacting, angry woman to a soft-hearted, compliant (takes meds, follows cues to exercise and dressing, etc .. ), laughs at the slightest provocation (feel free to read the double-entendre, there). She's still Edna, but a softer version.

Like I said .. not sure that's helpful in your situation.

As for the results of the eval, I endorse the others' suggestions: get your mom's physician in the circle, be sure all the necessary end-of-life paperwork is finalized (you DON'T want to have to deal with it if she's found incompetent to make legal and medical conditions, later). At this point YOU are her advocate, just do your best!

Blessings.

Valjab & others: Nobody can force a person in their right mind to take a drug they do not want. If Mom is in dementia and you have legal medical authority for her, you have to insist on clarification from the doctor and AL facility people why they want her on this. It could be to counteract the depressive effects of pain meds. If it is behaviorally related, you definitely want an MD psychiatrist (perhaps staring with the facility's psycholigist for some insight on the situation) and only an MD can prescribe anyway. I think it makes perfect sense to do a psych eval BEFORE being put on such a medication if it is behavior related. Valjab, you have given us very little background information, and what else can we do but speculate? Please tell us more.

In my nursing practice, no one can be "forced" to take a medication, unless they are a danger to themselves or others. Zoloft is an antidepressant. What doctor is prescribing this? Anyway, a psychiatric exam is just talking, taking a history, answering questions (and listening to the way you answer them), and a little physical seeing how your reflexes are, etc. Not a big deal. Someone at the assisted living home thinks your mother is depressed. Is she? Maybe instead of an antidepressant she really needs a mood stabilizer, like lithium carbonate (the Gold Standard for bipolar), or one of the other mood stablizers. Maybe it would be a good idea to have a psychiatric checkup just to understand what may be going on with her. Everyone could use a psychiatric consult. Life is very difficult. Best wishes.

Valjab,

I think it would do you well to try and investigate Buspar, an anti-anxiety medication.

I personally use it 3 times a day, and it has a lot of solid research behind it.

Maybe it will take off the edge of your aggravated and abusive mom.

Just be sure to get a full-blown psychological work-up from an outside doctor that you hire in her medical insurance network.

You need an unbiased opinion.

As a mental health patient, these are my heartfelt observations.

Please follow-up on the progress in your situation.

-- Burt B.

I want to add to Burt's excerpt of what I sent him in his hug. I couldn't remember what thread was involved or I would have responded directly. He said the caregiver indicated that the patient was agitated and wanted medication suggestions. What I answered was that my mom and my aunt we're both at you take it out of frustration and anxiousness. Buspar helps with anxious and anxiety problems. The full answer was that it is important to determine what the anxiety comes from because a tranquilizer such as ativan or xanax, or even an anti-psychotic up to and including haldol may be necessary depending on the source of the agitation. Thx Burt fot excerpting to respect the nature of my private message to you. In this question, we keep coming back to the NEED for a full evaluation, medical & neuro psych.