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My mom was sent to a psychiatric hospital geriatric and she called and wants to leave. She had not been officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s as we cannot get her in with a specialist until July. She has gotten in the violent stage and has hit me and my husband. I went to a magistrate to try and get help for her now she is there.
I am scared that maybe this is not the right place for her but I am planning to talk to the doctor who will be treating her tomorrow.
sh called me tonight and said she was scared and wanted to leave. Should I just go and get her and bring her home? Will I have a hard time having her released AMA? Can anytime give me advice? Please help

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A LO of mine had an involuntary admission for mental health. A distressful time.. but the admission was needed as delusions were present & preventing self-care.

The admission led to a diagnosis, a treatment plan & medications that did work (after some trialling).

It won't be easy, but you are on this path now. Keep breathing. Keep asking questions if it helps.
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This is when you get a formal diagnosis.
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Thanks so much for all of your advice I feel much better. I was able to speak with the Dr this morning and he said she is in the right place. They are going to try her on different medicines. Now I’m waiting for the social worker to contact me. He said once she is able to be released we would discuss where she needs to go.
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Beverly, the right thing usually is the hardest thing in situations like this.

Your mom has nothing to be scared of, she's using that to get you to intervene.

If she was put in a psych hospital for geriatric patients, she needs it. They don't do that type of admission lightly. Work with them and not against them in getting your mom the care and medication she needs.

Know that this will be hard and you will need to not let your emotions take control.
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cover9339 May 28, 2025
It can be "scary' being in any hospital, psyche or otherwise, especially at night,
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It sounds to me as though you are in the UK by your using the word "magistrate".
In all honesty your mother is in exactly the right place now to get a firm diagnosis and suggestions for treatment and management.

Of course she doesn't want to be there, but at this point this isn't about her choices, because she's not currently capable of MAKING choices for herself; it is about what is best for her. You will have simply to tell your mother that she is there for diagnosis and to speak with the doctors, and when they release her you will be there; meanwhile that you will visit her later in the day (or whenever you will visit her).

She has, for whatever reason, landed in just the right place. Good luck and I hope you'll update us; meanwhile provide to these diagnosing doctors as much information as you are able. Best of luck to you.
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The key here is that she is violent and has hit you and your husband. You have the right to protect yourselves, and this is the way you chose to do it. It is the RIGHT WAY because it will lead to help for her, which is what she desperately needs.

Bringing her back into her home will destroy the progress you've made so far. And then things will get worse.

You've absolutely done the right thing! Hang in there and follow her doctors' advice. Mom is not in the right state of mind to make her own decisions now.
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I might get a consultation with an Elder Law attorney about the situation. They can offer you information specific to your situation and options on managing your mom’s care should you want to get involved. I’d read a lot about the enormous responsibility for trying to care for a person who is resistant to care. They might also advise you which professionals that will evaluate her mental state.
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Do not get her out! She is where she needs to be right now. She is not in any place to be making such decisions. The psych hospital is there to help her! Taking her out will hurt you both. She cannot call the shots here.
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Beverly1976 May 28, 2025
Thanks so much for your advice. When she called I just felt so awful. But I’m hoping this is the right thing to do.
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