Paranoia

sklurie

My mother believes her apt is bugged. It's confusing because she is high functioning socially. The family wants to assure her no one is spying, but if we doubt her she becomes angry. She's calling the apt mgr daily now threatening if they don't find the "creeps" she will sue. We are new to all this.
Is there anything we can say to decrease the paranoia? And we don't know where she can live safely. Ps. My mom will not take any medication.
Suggestions? Thanks!

harshedbuzz

@sklurie

Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here, but pleased you have found this place.

In general, this sort of paranoia indicates some significant progression unless it is the product of something like a UTI. Given her behavior, it doesn't sound as if she should be living alone. Have family spent time with her looking for evidence of decline? Things like rotted food, hoarding, improperly cared for pets, Burned pots or dishtowels, hygiene not happening regularly? Her living situation needs to be appropriate to mom at her worst and most vulnerable not for the days when she's showtiming or social.

My concern is that her harassment of the apartment manager will likely trigger a call to APS which could result in steps taken for the county/state to assume guardianship which could prevent family from making decisions on her behalf. I wouldn't let this go unaddressed for long.

HB

M1

Yes, welcome. Do you have power of attorney for het? If so you can make decisions on her behalf and she may need hospitalization for evaluation and appropriate medication. If you don't, you need to talk to a certified elder law attorney asap about what steps to take (look at nelf.org). Paranoia is very difficult to address.

sklurie

Thank you for your information! Yes, we will seek out resources to help.