Emergency! Extremely hysterical

ghphotog

My DW is becoming combative, yelling and hitting me while I'm driving, tried to open the door while in motion etc. Should I call an ambulance in this situation?

PS UTI is clear and waiting on a call back from neuro's office but in the meantime?

M1

Yes, either call an ambulance or take her to the emergency room and ask for psychiatric admission. The language to use is that you simply cannot take care of her at home any more, she is danger to herself and to you.

This likely needs to happen before she can be placed in memory care anyway. The social workers on the geriatric psych ward can help you find an appropriate bed for her.

I'm so sorry, but this is not uncommon. It's what happened to us last year too (different threats, but the same general scenario).

Jo C.

M1 is spot on. Get her to the ER and be sure to be fully open and even a bit dramatic in your statement to the physician and the nurses. It is important to state that you can no longer safely care for her, that she has been an ongoing consistent danger not only to herself, but also to you.

Ask for a Geriatric Psych Unit placement. You do not want a regular Psych Unit, but a Geriatric Psych Placement. Do not accept taking her home; let them know you cannot care for her and that the severe attacks recur and continue; it is not safe. Lack of safety and inability to care are the important words for the ER doc to hang his/her hat on for admission to the special care unit and not taking her home again.

Let us know what happens, we are thinking of you.

J>

gampiano

I am so sorry that this is happening. Please keep us posted.

Sending you prayerful thoughts,

Maureen

toolbeltexpert

This is so hard, be prepared for long night, your wife is going to probably present differently to whomever, be prepared to tell everything going on and like they said you have to make it clear if you want your dw to get help she isn't going to be safe and neither are you keywords repeat them as often as you need. I was in this situation 11 months ago. Like m1 not the same threats but the same need. My prayers are for you both.

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Ed1937

There's nothing more for me to add. You have excellent suggestions above. Just know that we're here for you. I hope things get headed in the right direction soon.