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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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.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@GeniUs Thank you for your kind reply. It happened some years ago. At the time, I had no one to talk to about it and doctors made [i]me[/i] think I must be the crazy one.

GeniUs · 56-60, M

No probs my missus always likes to share, I was thinking of writing a TV soap about some of the things but I'm way too unmotivated and I'm not sure about how interesting it would be but it would certainly give people an insight into what carers (and family) have to put up with.
PS Don't do the same to your kids ;)

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@GeniUs I have no kids, no family.

GeniUs · 56-60, M

Sorry to hear that I hope you have enough friends and others who care enough to look in or is this your connection with the world?

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@GeniUs This is pretty much it for now. Thanks for the reply.

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..