Hi - I've not been here for a while but I really need some advice.
Both my in-laws are frail and elderly, my mother-i-l has dementia and other serious health problems. My father-i-l has been the main carer but his health no longer allows him to take proper care of himself, let alone looking after both of them. Until now somehow they managed together, by helping each other and they are both adamant that they want to stay in their own home but the situation is getting worse. They want to retain their independance and will not accept any outside help. Their GP is aware, worried and will put help in place immediately they give consent but says he needs their consent to act. They won't give consent and tell us they can cope alone, which is becoming a nightmare for the family.
What can we do? I guess simply put, the question is, is there anything we can do to force intervention against their will, before it is too late to help them? How bad does this have to get before anything can be done?
Both my in-laws are frail and elderly, my mother-i-l has dementia and other serious health problems. My father-i-l has been the main carer but his health no longer allows him to take proper care of himself, let alone looking after both of them. Until now somehow they managed together, by helping each other and they are both adamant that they want to stay in their own home but the situation is getting worse. They want to retain their independance and will not accept any outside help. Their GP is aware, worried and will put help in place immediately they give consent but says he needs their consent to act. They won't give consent and tell us they can cope alone, which is becoming a nightmare for the family.
What can we do? I guess simply put, the question is, is there anything we can do to force intervention against their will, before it is too late to help them? How bad does this have to get before anything can be done?