Extremely worried about my 73 year old father. Over the past 6+ months he's gotten manic, will talk nonstop, ranting, no conversation, crosses boundary lines, etc. If I try to ask him a question to better understand what he's talking about he gets upset.
He mentioned in one of his rants about a euphoric experience from some shiny rock he got from someone. Now I'm worried he's doing illicit drugs!
I reached out to his doctor to express my concerns in his change of behavior, mania, etc and asked them to check on him to make sure his medications aren't interacting. I didn't ask for info, just said I'm really worried and scared about his wellbeing. The doctors office called back and said the provider can't do anything and let it slip that my father hasn't been seen by that provider for 2 years.
I don't know what to do. I'm not able to travel due to pandemic and pregnancy. I am also honestly afraid of him, worried about him having a gun in the house. He's just not stable.
What can I do to be supportive and make sure he's safe?
-Pippa
I send him money. I set up calls with the kids. One of which is now terrified of him because of his behavior. I fully supported his moving away, living his dreams, doing what he wants. I'm devastated.
Before I was just really worried about his well being, and if he had Alzheimer's. Now knowing it's severe drug abuse and his gun threats I'm terrified he's going to come kill my family and I.
I just want my dad back.
My father has only lived in his new home for a 1 1/2 years. He doesn't know his neighbors, I had asked when I visited him before the pandemic. I should've insisted on getting their info. But at the time he was only supposed to live there 6 months of the year & 6 months here. And he said the "snow birds" his new neighbors hadn't returned, so he hadn't met them yet.
He had given me a list of his doctors, medications, etc. I'm executor of his estate & have PoA should anything happen. So was surprised when doctor office said they couldn't & wouldn't do anything. Even when I insisted I don't want info, just reach out to him.
I tried contacting NAMI & other mental health & elderly care lines. They all said to contact the doctor again.
Just feel at a loss. But your post reassures me I'm not out of line if I I call the nonemergency line. Especially now that his social media page had non stop cryptic posts all night,only stopping at 5am, & he deleted most of his friends & family (not me) but added random people as friends.
Ugh.
Thank you.
Get the Non Emergency number for his local police and have that handy. If you just call 911 from the phone you will be connected to your local police so use the non emergency number where your dad lives, they will transfer the call to the proper dispatcher.
I did call yesterday & had him on speakerphone so my spouse could hear. My spouse was quite alarmed.
I texted my father today to make sure he's ok & am getting worried because he hasn't replied. So may try to call him again.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. It really helps.
If you really feel that he's not stable, and might use the gun, I'd definitely forget about any other entity and call the police. But let them know that you don't want your father to know who called them. Be aware that if they observe unstable behavior, they may have him hospitalized and evaluated for mental stability.
In the meantime, are you aware whether or not he's actually getting ANY medical treatment? Is there anyone else in your family who could fly to his home and get an on-site observation?
I don't know if he is getting any medical help or getting his medications now, especially after the doctor he told me he sees disclosed that he hasn't been seen in 2 years. So it's a huge worry if he's getting his meds.
I'll just have to call the nonemergency line I think. Which breaks my heart as I don't want to invade his privacy but his behavior is just so not his typical self. It's frightening. And I want him to be ok & to enjoy living in his new home as freely as possible. But he needs to be safe.
Thank you