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This is the third time in a year that my 92 year old mom has had some sort of medical problem and then landed her in rehab to get stronger on her feet. Each time she cries and carries on and says if she had a knife she'd slit her throat. She gets mean and angry and says some awful things. Last time she had her own phone and would call me constantly in the middle of the night saying no one will help her. Then getting mad at me because I couldn't fix the situation in the middle of the night. I eventually turned my cell phone off at night as I couldn't deal with all her drama. Well today she is to be transferred to rehab and she already called me this morning with the nurses phone to ask why am I doing this to her and how she wished she was dead. I've always wanted to do my best to keep my mom at home and try and take care of her so she wouldn't have to go into a nursing home because I know how horrible it would be for her. She's acting like this just being in rehab. I fear not being able to afford to have more help come in and just being able to take care of mom at some point. I don't know how I'd ever forgive myself if she had to go in to a nursing home. It's just so hard.

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First we got the MD to give her XANAX once a day. Then twice a day. Then we added in a half a Celexa. We also told her if she wanted to kill herself, to go right ahead, it was her decision. Then she changed that to wanting Jesus to come get her. We told her Jesus comes when HE decides, not when YOU decide, Jesus does not take orders. When she got nasty on the phone, we told her "we'll call you back when you are feeling better." You are wise to turn off your phone at night. If she is on Medicare, they will only give her 20 days in rehab, then try to make you take her home. DON'T DO IT, it will be like suicide. Make it clear to the discharge coordinator there is no one to take care of her at home. Make it clear to the doctor she needs meds.
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Mom needs a psychiatric evaluation
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Go with Psteg's suggestion. Let her go to rehab and reinforce this is drs decision not yours.

While she is in rehab, enlist dr and care teams help in finding options for her. This may be some financial or insurance paid aid to help her manage in her home with assistance so many hours per week. If it looks like she will need more care than she can afford then by all means consider placement as this can be cheaper than 24/7 home care.

I know this must be very hard and you don't want to make her unhappy by placing her...but if it's for her own health and well being then it is necessary. Hopefully drs and care team can help reinforce with her the time has come.

In the meantime can you have private conversations with her care team and see what level of care she will need and long term prognosis? Can you visit a few appropriate NH or AL facilities nearby and learn about their offerings.

I don't think mom will kill herself. You wouldn't be responsible for that decision...that is on her. You cannot take responsibility for your moms happiness. You can only tell her you love her and will help her without sacrificing your life and self for her care.
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Talk to the nurses, I'm willing to bet she saves this behavior only for you. OH nurses see a whole different side of the patient. If they tell you what a good patient she is, you know you have been manipulated. So when angry starts, get up and leave, tell her you aren't buying in to bad behavior.
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Good for you; you were strong enough to turn off the phone at night, so you could get some sleep. Now, take the next step and only answer the phone at a predetermined time each day and for a set period of time (Sorry, mom, I've got to go). You know your mom is playing the guilt card on you; it's so hard not to get sucked into that.

I would also suggest that you connect with a nurse or nurse's aide at rehab that you trust. Then, when you have questions or concerns, you can talk with him/her and get a more neutral perspective than what you'll be getting from your mom.

As others have suggested, have your mom evaluated for her anxiety issues.

Now for the hardest part....it's time to start thinking about how long you can realistically take care of your mom at home. While she is in rehab, maybe you should start looking into alternate arrangements, even if it is just "looking." It's always best, in my opinion, to find out all of your options before there is an emergency. Best wishes! Stay strong and know you are not alone.
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Once she's through rehab, is there a chance she's a candidate for assisted living, which is more like a hotel than a nursing home? And some nursing homes are very nice - I volunteered in one on Christmas Day. I'd put my mom there without feeling bad about it. Very clean and lots of activities and the staff all knew each patient and their likes and dislikes from what I could see.

I think your mom is just unhappy at being so physically unstable/weak and is taking it out on you, as the nearest and closest person to her. You just have to set some limits around how much you'll put up with, so that you take care of yourself. I'd certainly try some anti-anxiety or anti-depressant meds to see if those helped calm your mom down. Good luck...it's not easy whatever you decide to do.
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At home she never talks about killing herself or angry. It's when she gets into rehab she starts behaving badly. I think she thinks I'll will come get her if I worry about her wellbeing so starts with all the crazy talk. I believe she is tired of living and having to go through all this therapy. Still, I feel she needs to get through it so she can come home and be able to at least get to the bathroom on her own.
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No I don't think mom would kill herself. Its just a way to get my attention that she is unhappy. Again today at the rehab facility she mentioned she is tired of going through all this. I told her there's not much she can do about as she is both going to die soon and to make the best of her time. Needless to say memo has never been a positive person and always sees the glass half empty. Hard to change her thought process at 92. Lol
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Cheryl, I am sorry you are going through that. Your mom is "feeling trapped" thinking she is there forever. Rehab is to get someone stronger so they can come home and avoid another hospitilazion. Hang a calendar mark off each day and tell her she has to do her part so she can come home. You have to set boundaries and tell her you can not be called at work or middle of night and you will not accept the calls if she does so. Don't feel guilty... she is in the hands of the rehab..... try and enjoy this needed break as much as you can.
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Our mother is like that. She always see the glass as half empty also. The threats are a control act with her. She needs to go to assisted living, desperately, but won't. She says if we make her she will kill herself and we will have to live with the guilt. We know she won't - she enjoys being a victim too much and would never kill herself, our fear is that she would play the blame game and crying etc to the hilt and we would pay by listening to her sobs on the phone every day. And after a while it would be an act. For eight years she has been in independent living and we still hear about her wanting her house and car, how she hates it, etc. Except that when she sees one of her friends or an activity come up - she doesn't want us around! Its all an act she reserves for her family only. Oh I pray I will not be like that!
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