Although close to my Gran when I lived in the same town through my 20s, I moved 200 miles away about 10 years ago and have only visited a handful of times due to not driving and having two children since then. She is a recovering alcoholic and has mental health issues.
Myself and my cousin are her only living relatives. My cousin stopped contact many years ago out of choice due to events connected with the alcoholism and refuses further contact. He lives 200 miles from her.
However, I have now back closer to my Gran's town and for the last two years been settling into my new life with my two young children (4 and 2) minus their father, made a few enquiries as to my Gran's location, sent cards and photos of the children, but had no response back from her. That's normal, her dignity is holding her back as she is once again in a mental hospital (I dont know the correct term for these places).
But yesterday I received a completely unexpected phone call from someone calling themselves an 'advocate' from MIND charity, a pleasant enough conversation but pressing me for lots of detail on my Gran's character in order someone (who? I didnt quite catch, healtchare professionals) can sumbit an assessment.
I've since had several phone calls again from MIND and another professsional connected to my Gran, the just of which I'm starting to deduce means that my answers are contributing to this very important Assessment.
I had no dealings whatsoever with my Gran's care it was always done by her late daughter so I'm clueless about everything. But it's as if they have suddenly discovered there is a living relative after all this time and they can pass liability for my Gran's care onto me instead now.
I dont mind taking on the responsibility, but I'd like to be educated first :(
I am guessing they are due to make an Assessment on whether my Gran stays in some kind of serious care for the foreseeable furutre or not? Does that mean unless I say otherwise now, she will be kept in a mental hospital when there might be other options available to her?
She has been sectioned before due to the drink and put in mental homes for a spell, but although she's nearly 90 she has amazing constituion, is healthy and can cook and care for herself, I suspect however because she has an unpredictable nature and can rebel vocally sometimes physically against authority over her, they dont want to risk putting her into a general care home or sheltered housing as she might upset residents, so they'd like to keep her drugged up and lifeless in a loony bin :(
Does anyone have similar experience with an elderly relative, ie sole responsibnility to them who might be able to help educate me a little, I'd be so grateful? I know there are enough resources online, but personal experience might arm me better in what I think is going to be a very complicated new responsibility in my life.
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Mental health
I've just been given responsibility for my Gran's mental healthcare. What does it all mean??
5 replies
plinkduet · 22/07/2011 16:53
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