Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to not want DF's ex-wife to move in following discharge from being sectioned (4th time this year)?

50 replies

LadySherlock · 28/11/2021 14:02

My DF's ex-wife...of 30+ years (also my estranged mother) has been sectioned four times this year. Her diagnosis is non-organic psychosis, which she completely denies. She is due to be discharged after approx two months in hospital for this latest section period. Her landlord gave her notice to quit following a previous section when the police had to break down the door because she wouldn't talk to the mental health team and just kept telling them there was nothing wrong her (she was accusing people of trying to murder her and police etc were heavily involved, all unfounded and just part of her psychosis).

My mother disowned me about six years over something and nothing. She assumed I would be there to do everything she asked/demanded of me. One day I said I wasn't going to do something (she never asked, just assumed) and all hell broke loose. Complete over reaction on her part. Didn't speak to me after that. Hey ho, our lives are better for not having a manipulative person in our family.

I've now found out that they are looking to discharge her to my DF's house. She was "dumped" there a year ago by her sister who told my DF that she had nowhere else to go, despite having paid six months upfront for a lovely flat. When she was previously at DF's house, about a month before she was first sectioned, she caused all sorts of problems, which went completely over my DF's head. Example going out with scissors to slash tyres. DF just said "she's no harm". Don't get me started on the screwdriver in her shopping bag or carrying a hammer up the street! My sister would be ringing me every few days panicking about mother's behaviour and concerned about our DF during this three week stay. DF did worry every time she went out, which she did a lot due to delusions/voices in her head. Even at that time he seemed to choose to ignore the issues and the trouble her behaviour caused and just said "she was fine". He's always held a torch for her, no matter how badly she has used and abused him and just sees her through rose-tinted spectacles.

My worry is that we are going to end up in the same situation as last year if she moves in with him. DF now has a diagnosis of mixed dementia and I'm concerned that the stress and worry he had a year ago when she was there, which he chose to overlook, will not help his health and wellbeing. My sister wants her to move in but hasn't to my knowledge told mother that DF has dementia. Think she believes they can "look after one another" which would some responsibility away from her. My relationship with sister is now strained, possibly broken. I think she is having/has had some kind of breakdown. Been trying to support her through all this for last three years but now she is acting really strange, like Jekyll and Hyde type behaviour, and echoes of mother's paranoia.

So long story, sorry, but wanted to give background. My question is, AIBU for not wanting her to move in as I think it will just cause loads of trouble, certainly in the long run. As previously it is me and my DH who have had to deal with things when the proverbial has hit the fan. Should I just wait and see what happens? Don't want to be dragged into it at all as it did affect mine and DH's wellbeing/stress levels. Feel that if the three of them want this to go ahead then they can deal with the consequences.

OP posts:
Shedmistress · 28/11/2021 14:05

Whether the poll shows whether people think you are or aren't unreasonable, what options do you have here?

Do you just want people to say you are not unreasonable? If they do, what then?

Sounds like it is all out of your hands.

Spidey66 · 28/11/2021 14:21

I take it DF is your dad? I thought it was your fiancé and got confused about the ‘and my estranged mother.’

DickyT · 28/11/2021 14:24

Were will your mother go then?

mamas12 · 28/11/2021 14:26

Okay so you need to speak to adult social servos re your dad and the hospital re your mum and get them both inside and for them to come up with a solution
Do not volunteer or suggest anything especially her moving in your dad house not even temporary just keep saying no to temporary and permanent

LadySherlock · 28/11/2021 14:28

Yes DF is my father.

I have spoken to someone at the hospital to express my concerns, which they said they will pass on to the consultant in charge of the care/discharge planning. Not sure if there is anyone else I can discuss it with. Social services are responsible for her placement/living arrangements in the community, so, if I'm not being unreasonable, then I could always call them to discuss my concerns.

OP posts:
gelert5619 · 28/11/2021 14:29

I'm very sorry to hear of your situation and feel that you must let the hospital know of your Dads dementia. He will be too vulnerable to deal with any problems with your estranged Mum.

gelert5619 · 28/11/2021 14:31

Sorry, subsequent posts said the same.

JustLyra · 28/11/2021 14:32

Is your father capable of making a proper decision or is his dementia too far gone?

If he’s still got the cognitive ability to do that and has agreed then there’s nothing you can do except raise your concerns to him.

If your father hasn’t got that ability then no-one else has the right to move his ex wife into his home and I’d be kicking up a stink with social services.

It sounds like your father could potentially be very vulnerable and your mother very unstable. That’s not a good combination and you wouldn’t be remotely unreasonable to raise very strong concerns about this happening.

LadySherlock · 28/11/2021 14:33

Trouble is mamas 12 that if DF, sister and mother all all deemed to have capacity and are in agreement to her moving in, then will anyone listen to me? Me being the one who has had to deal with everything due to the three of them having their different mental health issues.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 28/11/2021 14:34

Sounds like hour sister is desperate for some help in her caring roll to me. Is she doing it alone?

TidyDancer · 28/11/2021 14:38

@gamerchick

Sounds like hour sister is desperate for some help in her caring roll to me. Is she doing it alone?

Yep this is how I read it too. Does your sister get much support? It sounds like she's taken on a lot of responsibility (unless I'm reading it wrong).

Gottahavehighhopes · 28/11/2021 14:38

@LadySherlock
If he had capacity and is agreeing it becomes very difficult. Especially if your other sister is supporting
Does she have capacity and want to live with him?

If you feel she's a risk to him then a safeguarding for him can be raised

Ultimately I'll assume that if she is discharged from hospital to him and it fails then they may be able to start looking at offering her alternate accommodation because your dad isn't able to offer her the right level of support, but they'd have to be in agreement for that if she has capacity or he has capacity to ask her to stay

Bananarama21 · 28/11/2021 14:38

She sounds like she's got schizophrenia with the delusions and voices. I'm guessing she's not medicated. Who is her doctor? I'm sorry about your df he seems vulnerable but alzhelmers can also show similar behaviours talking to people who aren't there, aggression etc yet there's a massive stigma around mental health conditions and accessing help can be difficult for the person if they won't accept it could yourself or your sister liaise with her mental health team?

Gottahavehighhopes · 28/11/2021 14:39

You can always speak with adult social care about your concerns, if if they do nothing about it its helpful to reilleterate df has dementia

Theunamedcat · 28/11/2021 14:40

Warn everyone then when your ignored

Leave them too it and refuse to engage but keep in touch with adult social care report everything to them they won't deal with it until the whole family won't deal with it

LadySherlock · 28/11/2021 14:47

Sister does as little as possible. Goes off-grid ignoring calls etc. Walks out on DF if things get awkward. Literally deals with him for as short a time as possible. Me and DH have had to deal with the majority of things, both practical and dealing with health professionals in respect of DF.

OP posts:
TheseBootsWereMadeForSitting · 28/11/2021 14:56

Why are the authorities involved being allowed to even suggest placing an ex anything in the other ex's house.

Are we all going to be held potentially responsible in the future for housing ex partners who have become ill and a pain in the arse to the NHS/Social Services/local council/etc.

How odd.

Someone is taking advantage of an old man with dementia here.

Scissors, screwdriver, hammer, paranoia.

Bloody hell, is your dad going to be in physical danger here.

It would concern me.

godmum56 · 28/11/2021 14:56

if your father has capacity and wants it or agrees to it, there is zero that you or anybody can do sadly. Your only choice is to withdraw your assistance. sometimes all you can do in such situations is withdraw. Be clear with tghe family that you have withdrawn and be clear to all health and social care staff that you have withdrawn and why.

BronwenFrideswide · 28/11/2021 15:05

Flag it up to everyone, doctors, consultants, social services, the mental health team in charge of your mother and record that you have done so then when the inevitable happens if they ignore your warnings they will not be able to deny that they were aware of the circumstances and risks.

Once you have done this, as a pp suggests, withdraw and make it clear to all that you have withdrawn and why.

Unfortunately, as difficult as it is for you, that is all you can do.

Ragruggers · 28/11/2021 15:06

You need to make it clear to social services that they can’t expect you to take any responsibility for their care.State your reasons calmly and firmly.You need for SS to write on the notes you are not to be contacted.The family will only get help when they know you are not available.Hope it works out for them but you must look after yourself.

Porfre · 28/11/2021 15:10

@LadySherlock

Sister does as little as possible. Goes off-grid ignoring calls etc. Walks out on DF if things get awkward. Literally deals with him for as short a time as possible. Me and DH have had to deal with the majority of things, both practical and dealing with health professionals in respect of DF.
Thos seems like a safeguarding issue for your dad

Basically it looks like they're trying to take advantage of a person with dementia.

I wouldn't stand for this. They need to arrange appropriate care for your mum and it isnt the confused person with dementia who cant even take care of himself

Gottahavehighhopes · 28/11/2021 15:10

@TheseBootsWereMadeForSitting

Why are the authorities involved being allowed to even suggest placing an ex anything in the other ex's house.

Are we all going to be held potentially responsible in the future for housing ex partners who have become ill and a pain in the arse to the NHS/Social Services/local council/etc.

How odd.

Someone is taking advantage of an old man with dementia here.

Scissors, screwdriver, hammer, paranoia.

Bloody hell, is your dad going to be in physical danger here.

It would concern me.

It depends if she owns part of the house. If she has equity in the house, it limits her ability to get council housing, asc support with supported accommodation because she has a house she's entitled to live in.

It's a very tricky thing if joint assets are involved.

It's partly due to means tested benefits and partly to protect people from being denied half of their property. Sadly its not uncommon when people are in hospital, or needing asc for people to manipulate that into not having to split the house, by getting ex partner rehoused and staying in the house. I've seen it multiple times

Obviously OP hasn't said the parents joint own but it's sounds like the DF is happy to have her and has been deemed to have capacity

TillyTopper · 28/11/2021 15:23

Have you considered getting an Lasting Power of Attorney in health/welfare matters? He would need to agree and his doctor would need to agree you are in a position to exercise it (but that may not be hard as he has dementia). You can do this here but obviously your DF would need to agree.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 28/11/2021 15:28

Would you feel able to just step back and let things go wrong where they are going to go wrong? If you step in and pick up the pieces every time there is a crisis then from the viewpoint of social services/ MH services etc the placement is working, they probably won’t care that you’re unhappy or at breaking point. If you refuse to step in and things are failing they will presumably have no chance but to look for an alternative solution to your mum living with your dad, although I appreciate that is probably easier said than done.

LadySherlock · 28/11/2021 15:30

House is in DF's sole name. He bought her out when they divorced 30+ years ago.

He wants to have her there, as in his words "she cooks and cleans for me and takes me shopping". Explained she won't be driving anytime soon due to hospitalisation for psychosis. He overlooks the times he was worried about her and is oblivious to all the hassle/stress/worry we had last time she was there caused by her psychosis.

OP posts: