Help! Why would they admit mom to psych unit for 7 days but let her go on the 2nd day?

Are there medicaid programs in your state that will pay for Assisted Living?

Call the hospital and start talking to the discharge unit about what the next step is. I assume they will eant to send her to rehab; try to pick a place that can seemlessly turn into long term care placement (has the right level of care and will accept Medicaid after a period of private pay).

And no, she cannot live with you. If they suggest it, shut the idea down immediately.

I noticed you put detoxing from alcohol. Does that mean Mom is currently detoxing from alcohol use or that her old stroke was caused by alcohol use?

She wasn't released from the behavioral unit on day 2 after all. I think this is day 5 and she is scheduled to talk to another doc in 2 days. I have received only 1 phone call from a doctor. His comments were "probably dementia, assisted living, no driving". She had an MRI yesterday because a CT scan showed an old stroke, atrophy, and some small vessel changes. Detoxing from alcohol.
I would guess vascular because of the CT, but her symptoms seem like alz, so probably both?
She says she is taking fewer meds. She still cries constantly, fears for her life, has mad delusions, nightmares, hallucinations, and seething anger. She can't remember how she got in the hospital.
So I guess this is as good as it's going to get.
My sister and I are trying to figure out 24/7 in-home assistance. (Mom's house, NOT our houses.) I'm going to start buying lottery tickets like a desperate person.
They don't tell you to get ready for this.

So, what did you do? I was thinking Baker Act her. I think that is a 72 hour hold at least.

Otherwise, I am so sorry you are going through this. Our system is so broken. I went through so much with my mother and the system doing nothing about it because she’s competent. Such bs!!

If you mom is screaming in the highway, can’t you call the cops on her and have her taken to the psyche ward of a hospital? Refuse to let her come home so they have to place her.

Back in 1978 my mother was making harassing calls all hours of the day and night to her in laws. They had her arrested and she had to spend 30 days in a mental hospital. After 30 days they let her come back home. They never did find out what the mental illness was. She still had mental illness right up until she died.

However, she never called her in laws again and she never broke the law again.

Alva is right. If mom went voluntarily, then she can leave. But you can tell the hospital bluntly that it would be an unsafe discharge since you cannot care for her. Refuse to take her to your home. ( presume that she lives with you?) Be persistent in your "unsafe discharge - no one to care for her. They will try to guilt you but keep refusing and they will have to find placement for her.

Are you believing your mother that she is being discharged? Do know that you can refuse to take her home. Call the social worker and tell them that you cannot mentally or physically care for her in her current condition and she must have the full range of tests ordered by the MD. As to why they wouldn't stick to a plan, no patient can be held against their will and she is free to leave at any time if she is not on a 5150 (72 hour hold) or another hold. You may need to consider placement and this is the time. Refuse to take her home and say she must have placement, that she cannot return to your home.
Certainly none of us on Forum can suggest "why" in this matter. It is a question for the doctor.