She suffers from mental illness for the past 30+ years yesterday she walked into my room with a butcher knife stating I must be sacrificed. I don't know what to think. I love her dearly however I have a toddler in the household my husband and I stayed up all night and morning just monitoring her after she took her medication. I really do not want her to live with us any longer following that I am very jittery and was super scared to go to bed. My husband and I agreed to take her in and she's never had an episode until yesterday. Our goal was to take her in until next year so that would make 2 years and then she would move with her daughter [who is retired] who lives not too far from us. We are aware of what triggered her episode she wants to live with us permanently however my husband and I just got married and still trying to develop our own flow of things and we both agree that is not a permanent option. As of today we are currently seeking a mental wellness center for her to get better however my husband doesn't want her to be to far but there are not good wellness centers in our state. Any advice?
This should have been an immediate call to 911. Your mother should have been taken to the nearest psychiatric unit for evaluation and treatment.
I think that I do not need to tell you that, while you may wish to risk the sacrifice of your own life, that is not your right to do for your daughter.
You and your husband are responsible for a child. It is time now to seek placement for this poor woman; mental illness is the most poorly understood of all maladies that beset man. Your mother is not responsible. BUT YOU ARE. If your husband refuses to place his mother then you need to pack up your child and leave. And again, I hope you have been documenting what is happening here.
Once many years ago a family member who suffers with Paranoid Schizophrenia threatened to kill me. He did not have a knife, but he was in the kitchen with easy access to many. This was long before cordless phones let alone cell phones. I grabbed the car keys, and drove to the nearest payphone, told you it was a long time ago. It was even before 911 was in our community. I called the local emergency police number and explained the situation.
The police attended the house with 3 cars, 5 officers and a huge dog. They took the family member to the closest pysch ward and he was admitted.
It was terrifying.
It does not matter how much you love her,m your safety and that of your child is far more important. There is no way on God's green earth, she should have spent another minutes in your house after that event. If you do not remove her, you will leave in a box, or your child will be removed from your home. If your dh is not willing to move her, then you take the child, credit card and car and go to a woman's shelter or hotel until she is gone.
Are you still with us?
She must also be tested for a UTI, which can worsrn me tal illness/dementia symptoms.
If I was your neighbor and heard about this, I would call child protective services to have the toddler removed until an appropriate placement was made for MIL.
Unfortunately, you have to make a choice here.
"I am caring for my mother rosw, who is 53 years old, living in my home with anxiety and other."
How distressing...I'm so sorry for this trauma to your family, after trying to help her. It is apparent she can't live with anyone safely -- not even your adult sister. She needs more help than any individual can give to her complex mental health problem. Does your husband have durable PoA or guardianship of her? This needs to be secured before being able to help her fully and legally. If there are any further threatening words or actions you must call 911 immediately - do not hesitate! She can then be taken to and treated at a hospital but your husband (and his sister) should not accept her back into their homes, as this would be an "unsafe discharge". At this point he can hopefully work with the hospital social worker to figure out where she can go, if only temporary until more long-term placement can be decided upon.
I do. This woman is seriously mentally ill & dangerous. She must be removed from your home immediately.
"she wants to live with us permanently". Her *wants* are not more important than your safety.
911 & Baker Act. It is not failing her, it is getting her the help she needs.
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