Section 2 mental health

[Skylark/2]

Hello everyone,
After many months of verbal abuse, occasional physical and no longer recognising me, my husband has had a further downturn in his Alzheimer’s. Three nights ago he was behaving so aggressively, making me leave the house, ordering me back, pushing me out again, I went to my neighbour’s house and phoned mental health emergency out of hours ( about 8 p.m ) but couldn’t speak to anyone so phoned the police. At about 10.30 p.m 2 officers arrived to check up how I was.
The following night it was almost Ground Hog Day except I locked myself in our car and the police were not involved.
yesterday ( due to police report and my emails ?). a mental health team made a home visit and after reviewing ordered the section 2 to be put in place. Unfortunately no beds available at the moment but I understand my husband will be observed and assess for up to 4 weeks.
My question, what might happen after that period, what are my rights? Any ideas anyone.
I have mixed emotions. Pleased my husband will hopefully be getting more help but feeling guilty that I am relieved I will be able to get some rest, my life back for a few weeks and feel less stress, exhausted etc.,
Thank you.

 

[Blissy]

Have no practical advice to give as fortunately not in this sort of position myself but I certainly don't think you should be feeling guilty. No one should be in your position whether partner has alzheimers or not. Your safety is paramount and whatever ever decision has to be made to ensure that is the right one.

 

[Sarasa]

I'm so glad your husband is going to get the help he needs, though slightly alarmed they think he needs a section2 but can't find him a bed right away. Make sure you keep yourself safe and keep phoning the emergency team and/or police if you are in danger.
I have no experience of what will happen after the assessment, but I'm sure that those that do will be along soon with their experiences.

 

[Rayreadynow]

I thought if section 2 had been made SS would have to arrange the Bed.

The options after are either : Go back home with additional care package or go to a care home or specialist Hospital.

 

[SAP]

Where is the assessment taking place. There may not be any beds locally but under a section 2 the mental health team have to find a bed somewhere in the country. So was he assessed in the home or hospital and where was he left, home or hospital? If he has been left in your care, call the mental health team and social services immediately and demand action for your own safety and his.
Once that is sorted out under section 2 your husband can be held for up to 28 days . Whilst this is a scary thing for people with dementia it can be the best intervention at the time as it allows the psych team to assess his needs and medication. You should be kept informed at all times and you will be given information about your rights should you wish to challenge the section 2. Following on from that , before or once the 28days are up he will either be discharged home , discharged into residential care or put on a section 3 for further assessment. If you feel that you can nolonger manage him at home, let them know in no uncertain terms.
Don’t feel guilty please, you are doing nothing wrong and it is time to let the experts take over.
Many of us on here have been through this with our loved ones, it happened to my mum. Try not to worry and make sure you let social services and the mental health team do all the hard work, it is their job and they are the experts. Come back with as many questions as you like. X

 

[Skylark/2]

Where is the assessment taking place. There may not be any beds locally but under a section 2 the mental health team have to find a bed somewhere in the country. So was he assessed in the home or hospital and where was he left, home or hospital? If he has been left in your care, call the mental health team and social services immediately and demand action for your own safety and his.
Once that is sorted out under section 2 your husband can be held for up to 28 days . Whilst this is a scary thing for people with dementia it can be the best intervention at the time as it allows the psych team to assess his needs and medication. You should be kept informed at all times and you will be given information about your rights should you wish to challenge the section 2. Following on from that , before or once the 28days are up he will either be discharged home , discharged into residential care or put on a section 3 for further assessment. If you feel that you can nolonger manage him at home, let them know in no uncertain terms.
Don’t feel guilty please, you are doing nothing wrong and it is time to let the experts take over.
Many of us on here have been through this with our loved ones, it happened to my mum. Try not to worry and make sure you let social services and the mental health team do all the hard work, it is their job and they are the experts. Come back with as many questions as you like. X

Hello @SAP
thank you for the advice and much appreciated.
He is under the memory clinic at a local hospital and has been seen a number of times both at the hospital and reviewed at home. He started Memantine approx 5 weeks ago, plus an antipsychotic drug AND diazepam to help with sleep. We have been struggling with sundowning and lack of sleep. After a couple of ‘ peaceful ‘ weeks he suddenly reverted to previous aggressive, abusive behaviour which culminated in 2 nights with him pushing me out of the house at late evening. On one occasion I called the police from a neighbours house and another night locked myself in our car. I wondered if the Memantine wasn’t agreeing with him?
After I had reported what had been happening to the memory team ( plus police report I expect ) the team came to our home yesterday. The 2 drs recommended the section 2 but apologised that they had no beds available at present. The CPN is in daily contact to check how things are , and assure me that as soon as a bed becomes available my husband will be admitted. one of the drs prescribed sleeping tablets to help too.
So I hope he will get a bed very soon.
He went to bed at 4 p.m today, up at 5 p.m saying he hadn’t slept with a face like thunder. The atmosphere is awful, he has gone to bed again just now and I have give. him a sleeping tablet.
once again, thank you for your support and advice.

 

[jugglingmum]

Please call the police if you are in danger. Or if you lock yourself in your car. Enough calls and a bed might miraculously appear.

 

[Kevinl]

You read sometimes on here and just cry for the people who post, welling up as I type.
K

 

[Skylark/2]

I haven’t posted for a few weeks.
My husband is just coming to the end of the section 2 28 day assessment. I have been told by the doctor that he is to have a section 3. issued and remain in hospital until at least the end of March. Within the first few days of being in hospital he developed cellulitis in his ankle, calf, had a raging temperature, was taken to A&E as staff thought he might have a DVT. He didn’t but the infection has proved difficult to treat and he is now on his third course of antibiotics plus he has caught COVID in the last few days! Fortunately ( fully vaccinated) his Covid doesn’t seem to be causing concern.
He continues to sun down and this is when he is his most agitated and aggressive, there have been a few ’ incidents’ with staff and patients.
I am convinced that the infection isn’t helping , if anyone’s loved ones have had any sort of infection in the past, do they ‘ recover’ once the infection has gone or does it seem to have accelerated the Alzheimer’s permanently?
I’m not expressing myself very well but if you can understand what I’m querying, I’d appreciate your thoughts! Thank you

 

[Kevinl]

Infections often a Urinary Tract Infection (uti) can be a cause, it's often said on here, however, given the other symptoms you've described, well Covid is a viral infection where a uti is bacteria. Penecillin helps the situation but antibiotics only work on bacterial infections although they are a good idea with a virus where the immune system is weakened.
Hope that helps. K

 

[SAP]

My mum had an uti , just mild but it knocked her for six and she hasn’t really been the same since.
Gosh this has been a tough journey for you. If it’s any consolation once he is on section 3 a care plan has to be put in place and monitored . He will also get 117 aftercare.
Obviously I can’t say for certain what the outcome will be but in my mums case as soon as it went to section three I took a massive step back and insisted the social worker and the ward did all of the leg work. I’m guessing this was easier as I was supporting my mum not a spouse,I think there is quite a difference. Anyway as I have said before she is much more settled now and happy in her own way , although I have been told that she is becoming agitated with personal care again but that is dementia. Sending all the supportive hugs in the world.

 

[Kevinl]

Section 3 does trigger 117 funding which in England at least means it's all free care, it's not nice being section 3 but it does have the benefit of free ongoing care wherever that may be. K

 

[Violet Jane]

Some people do return to their previous ‘baseline’ after the infection has been treated but it can take a few weeks or even longer. Others don’t. Only time will tell.

I know that you feel sad for your husband but it’s fortunate that he hasn’t been at home with these infections and his challenging behaviour.

 

[DeeCee7]

Hello @Skylark/2 it’s good to hear from you again. I hope you have managed a rest and recharge at home without all the worries and traumas, and are coming to terms with not having your husband at home. So, a Section 3 has been issued at long, long last. And to think it wasn’t so long ago the push was to return him home. I can’t help with the infection question, from what I have read it seems to depend on the individual.

 

[Sarasa]

I was wondering today how things were going @Skylark/2.
I'm sorry the infection is taking a while to clear up and getting covid too isn't great.
I'm also glad your husband is staying in hospital a bit longer to get him sorted out. My mum had sepsis at New Year 2023 and though she was poorly at the time she did make a good recovery. However it did have a permanent affect on her mobility.

 

[jugglingmum]

My mum was hospitalised twice with infections. Once early stages (pneumonia) and once mid stages and very poorly with it, needed 10 days of IV antibiotics. Both times she fully recovered to her base line.

But often people post on here how a simple uti can knock a PWD for six and not get full recovey.

It just depends on the individual.

I'm so pleased they've recognised his needs and have confirmed a section 3.

I've no idea how you coped for so long.

 

[Firecatcher]

I hope you’ve managed to get some rest since your husband’s admission although I suspect him being in hospital has been just as stressful for you. I’m pleased an application for section 3 is being made as hospitals often use DOLs use a section 2 expires. As others have said you section 3 entitles a person to 117 aftercare. It’s also less likely that the discharge team will push you to have him home unless this is what you want. It’s hard to know how your husband will be when his physical health improves. Cellulitis needs aggressive treatment with antibiotics and the side effects from these might be contributing to his presentation.

 

[maisiecat]

Hi @Skylark/2 , I hope you have had a chance to rest a bit. My husband had cellulitis in hospital and it took 3 bouts of IV antibiotics to clear it. He has had a further bout in the Nursing Home although they cleared it up quite quickly but they put a lot of skin care effort in.
My husband didn't recover in hospital he remained psychotic but now in the Nursing home while he is delusional he is calm. He isn't back to where he was but he has, according to the physio who's treating him ,had a stroke.
It is about the care enviroment I think. My husband had a very bad fall this week with split lip and broken nose. He is taking this all in his stride which is a massive improvment. Hopefully the right placement will be found when he is ready

 

[Skylark/2]

Hello everyone,
Thank you so much for taking time to reply. You confirm what I suspected, some loved ones return to base line, others don’t.
It’s very strange being by myself after 53 years of marriage, barely a night apart. Am still not sleeping very well, think I have turned into an insomniac. I try and keep busy and am on a learning curve re I.T tech! Nearly threw the printer through the window recently when it wasn’t behaving!
I’m still feeling fragile, if anyone offers sympathy, I well up with tears. A dr. at the hospital said the other day, ‘ I don’t know how you managed on your own for so long’ and then had to hold my hand as my eyes filled with tears
such a mix of emotions, relief that my husband is getting the help and expertise, guilt that I can’t look after him anymore, sorrow, anger that ’ friends’ and family drifted away and suddenly ( now my husband is in hospital ) have reappeared.
I know more more problems will be looming in the future , but also know that this is the place to come for help and support and understanding.

 

[Sarasa]

I'm with you on printers @Skylark/2 , my least favourite piece of IT kit.
Try not to feel guilty, hard I know. You did all you could to look after your husband at home, but as you're finding out he really does need a team to look after him and keep him safe.