Refusing any medical appointments

[timoteigirl]

Is there anything to be done when an elderly family member has not seen a medical professional for decades? Their other elderly friends occasionally share medicine from their prescription such as heart medicine. No idea of any bloods nor blood pressure. I assume within their rights to decline all normal health care? I just sit and watch?

If they have capacity then they can do as they please unfortunately.

It's very unwise to take heart medication that hasn't been prescribed for you when you haven't been diagnosed with a heart condition. That decision alone could be enough proof that they don't have capacity.

You should also report the person who is giving their prescribed medication away.

Stopping and starting meds is not good either. Not sure there is much you can do about it though.

https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/making-decisions-for-someone-else/mental-capacity-act/

It is a minefield - I understand people have rights and respect that but there are so many of these elderly people making utterly ridiculous decisions impacting wider family.

Thanks for the answers. Healthcare is under so much pressure I'm not sure if me reporting this would change anything. I worry it would break down the relationship.

Has your relative got capacity? Technically that is probably irrelevant though because it sounds as though they made this decision to eshew medical intervention decades ago when they were of sound mind, even if they aren't now.

Edited because I quoted the wrong person

Sadly, there is little you can do. My grandmother slowly died from bowel cancer without even seeing a GP as she had a huge fear of anything medical, she died an unnecessary painful death and wouldn't do anything about it, she refused any appointments made and the GP said there was nothing anyone could do as she had full capacity.

My mum has Alzheimer's and obviously as she has lost capacity and we have POA we make all her appointments (she has many health issues). My dad is in deep depression over the whole thing but refuses to go and get help. Again, I have spoken to the GP but they say there is little they can do, it's up to him to make the appointment and he refuses.

It is beyond frustrating but nothing I can do sadly.

So bloody hard isn’t it @timoteigirl? Is your DF your DM’s main carer?