How do you care for a crazy elderly parent?

You take him or her to a psychiatrist...and they lie to the shrink saying they feel fine and you are just imagining it. The shrink winds up saying [i]you[/i] need therapy! But your elderly parent has slashed his/her arm with a butcher knife screaming, "I want to die!" And been taken to the Emergency hospital for stitches the night before seeing the shrink. (The shrink refuses your request to look at the Emergency hospital records). Your elderly parent has also deliberately grabbed a very personal part of your body and grinned, enjoying your shocked reaction. But you can't convince a doctor.

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SW-User

What the hell did I just read. The grinning part is unsettling.

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SW-User

@Wiseacre Point is?

Wiseacre · F

@SW-User point obvious!

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

I don't really need shrinkage. (I've had it).But after being alone with these memories for a long time, it is of interest to me, and somewhat comforting, to know how others might've reacted.

You might have a better idea of why dealing with my mother was so difficult--and outright weird--by reading my Featured story under my profile (I Wan To Know The Truth Behind My Family's Secrets And Lies).

GeniUs · 56-60, M

OK my missus has worked in social care all her life and this answer is principally from her:
The parent has dementia but isn't mad as such, they grab your personal area for reaction, so the cooler you can keep the better (I posted elsewhere if the old men accidentally touch my partner she simply says, 'yes they are real.' Which suitably embarrasses most of them, so maybe something equally biting, 'that's how you made me,''It's still there,' for a second round or something but don't show shock.)
She deals with a lot of people who have anything dangerous out of reach/locked away be it sharps or medicine, bleach etc.
Just ask if you want anything more specific and we'll try and help.

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Wiseacre · F

@greenmountaingal I suggest psychological counseling..we are not equipped to help u!

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@Wiseacre I've had some helpful counseling. It helped. Sometimes this does, too.

Wiseacre · F

@greenmountaingal ok..

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

If they are slashing themselves and yelling they want to die that is grounds to have them put in a hospital to be evaluated. Seems like the psychiatrist is setting their self up for a lawsuit.

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greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@cherokeepatti This was many years ago. She has been gone for over a dozen years. But it was such a terrible time in my life and I was given no help or advice at all....I guess I wanted to talk about it here and see how others might have handled it. Her HMO was Kaiser and, for all the reasons given in my Featured story, she had a great deal of power there. Anything she said, they went along with. All my complaints to them were ignored. Everyone was afraid of offending her.

Wiseacre · F

@greenmountaingal u seem to have a lot of insight, but need to learn to accept what u can't change..if u want peace, that is..best!

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@greenmountaingal wow

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