Possible for mum to be assessed at a NHS mental home? Or take her off her meds?

[jimbosmith]

My mum is having her biannual assessment tomorrow and I'm wondering what options are available.

She is very wild and never sits down. She continually talks and is always moving things, or touching food. She is just manic and hyper.

She has been on lorazepam to help her anxiety for 2 years now but it doesn't do anything and I am wondering if that is adding to her problems.

The NHS will try and pass the buck to social care, but my mum is barred from all of our local homes due to her hyper behaviour. Therefore I believe it is down to the NHS.

I would like for them to see her over a continued period and I'm wondering if she can be admitted to one of their mental hospitals for this? Has anyone any experience of this?

Part of me is wondering if the medicines are causing the problem and am also considering asking them to stop prescribing them. Has anyone any experience of this?

Thanks in advance

Jimbo

 

[LYN T]

There are assessment wards at Mental Health Units -my late Husband was admitted to one quite often. Like your Mum he used to be hyper/manic in the extreme. He had to have his meds 'tweaked'. Each time my Husband was sectioned by SW/MH doctor etc BUT I think a relative can ask for this action also. I would also add that each admission was helpful to Pete. Who will be at the assessment tomorrow?

I feel sorry for you and your Mum.

Lyn T XX

 

[jimbosmith]

There are assessment wards at Mental Health Units -my late Husband was admitted to one quite often. Like your Mum he used to be hyper/manic in the extreme. He had to have his meds 'tweaked'. Each time my Husband was sectioned by SW/MH doctor etc BUT I think a relative can ask for this action also. I would also add that each admission was helpful to Pete. Who will be at the assessment tomorrow?

I feel sorry for you and your Mum.

Lyn T XX

Thanks Lyn for the reply and info.

That sounds like what we need. My Dad and I will be there. The specialist is the head of our local mental services team.

How long does it take? How many times did you go through that process?

 

[LYN T]

Thanks Lyn for the reply and info.

That sounds like what we need. My Dad and I will be there. The specialist is the head of our local mental services team.

How long does it take? How many times did you go through that process?

Ok so at least you are meeting with a specialist-as opposed to a CPN or similar.

Ask to speak to him/her separately from your Mum-I always found it difficult to talk about Pete's illness when he was in the room. Tell the specialist EXACTLY how your Mum has been behaving. Don't hold back out of loyalty-that won't help anyone least of all your Mum. Mention that the local CH's won't help and ask what would happen if the family couldn't cope anymore. Perhaps tell the specialist that things are getting to that stage now? Pete was also 'blacklisted' by thge largest group of CH's in the south It shouldn't be a case of 'they' can't cope-but family carers are expected to!

Pete was sectioned 5 times; four times from home and once when he was in his CH. He was also 'observed' in a day hospital on 3 occasions. I never had to get Pete sectioned myself-the medics always did that. From how you describe your Mum she sounded very much like Pete; so hyper he was a danger to himself and others.

Pete was diagnosed with bi-polar the same time as he was diagnosed with AD. Please don't think that I have any medical qualifications-because I don't-just experience from being a carer for 8 1/2 years. Perhaps ask if your Mum's hyper state is due to Dementia or whether something else is going on? That's why I think she needs an assessment.

I hope you get some help-difficult times for your Dad and yourself.

Sorry this is so long

Take care-please let us know how you get on

Lyn T

P s in Pete's case it was a matter of hours-not days-but he was always being violent when he was sectioned.