To ring GP/SS over concerns for my parents health?

[Pretendbookworm]

My mother is in her 50s and my dad in his 60s. My mum has a long yet undocumented history of mental health problems - she hasn’t left the house for about 10 years, not been in the garden for 3 years. When DS was born she refused to even speak to me for 18 months as she hated the name and had a massive meltdown. She’s not been to see a doctor for at least 15 years, and never about mental health before that either. She’s always been odd, socially inappropriate and depressive. And she had a traumatic upbringing.

Anyway, things have got really bad over the last few years. Both my parents are now hoarders and you can’t even see the tv or move easily around the house. My dad has asked my mum to see the GP but equally if I say anything about the house or comment about her health to her he tries to hush me. It’s got even worst this month as now mum says she can’t use the bath or shower and hasn’t had a wash for a month.

I’m tempted to ring the GP but I’m not sure what they can do. I’m aware that she can refuse care, but I also don’t think my mums in her right mind.

Yes ring the GP. They should be able to tell you what to do next.

You can also refer them to adult social care.

Whilst their issues were different to your parents, I rang social services about my parents a few years ago. I’m so so glad I did as they were brilliant. Without their support I don’t know what we’d have done.

I thought at the beginning when I read your parents ages that you were going to be being OTT, however I absolutely think you should ring GP and adult social care. X

This is considered self neglect, which is something adult social services deal with. You should be able to find out how to refer to them if you just google adult social care and the area they live in.

I think you should call adult social care. The GP can request they attend but they can’t do much besides.

Yes, this is adult social services issue.

Ditto. Adult Social Services.

Thank you everyone. I’ve been thinking about it and had mixed advice from people I know but I think I’ll ring her GP tomorrow. I live a few hours drive away but I know which one they go to. She never used to be like this.