my sis is a patient in a state mental hospital. She is ready to be released and has lost her apartment and job and has no income. It has been agreed that each of us will take her for a week until housing becomes available thru the county. She is on a wait list..Anyone have this experience. Your advice please
2006-08-04 06:24:42 · 12 answers · asked by nora7142@verizon.net 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
It is up to you. Your home or homeless.
Use this to reunite your family.
Good luck through this problem.
2006-08-04 06:28:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
one in five people become mentally ill at some time in their lives; so you're not as alone as you think. Different countries have different attitudes towards treatment, either as an in-patient, or in the community. First call has to be the hospital where she is currently a patient, they should be able to point you in the direction of self help groups, & other organizations in your area. If they can't, or won't, then you should start to question local, regional & national government policy, as to why the mentally ill are being so abysmally treated. Simply because they lack a voice, I suspect.
2006-08-04 13:33:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom has volunteered with Mentally ill people for 8 years now. Manic depressives, scitzophrenics, multi-personaliy disorder. The trick is, do not excite her too much. When you watch movies, they should only be LIGHT comedies! They love Leslie Nielson movies! Let her help you cook clean... Take her grocery shopping so she feels wanted and as though she's a big help. Ask her favours, ex: "Can you do me a HUGE favour? Can you put the napkins on the table?" Stuff like that. Get her a hobbie, ex: painting. Get a bunch of magazines for her to cut out and ask her if she wants to make a collage... Stuff along those lines. Good Luck!
2006-08-04 13:32:41 · answer #3 · answered by coconut 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing and the most important thing to her will be:
Do NOT treat her any differently then you use to. Having mental problems and usually due to depression is an illness not a curse.
She is the same sister that you grew up with and have always loved, she just has afew issues that she needs to learn to deal with in a productive manner.
So just be patient with her and don't treat her like a mental patient, treat her like your sister.
And instead of moving her around from place to place, try to keep in in one home, and then everyone chip in for the cost and everyone chip in with their time if she needs constant observation.
Come together as a family, she needs to feel loved and wanted.
2006-08-04 13:32:01 · answer #4 · answered by ETxYellowRose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, my brother is schizophrenic and 2 years ago he was hospitalized and lost his apt. My husband (who is wonderfully supportive) and I took him in for seven months until he was more stable, and then we helped him get his own place, still checking in on him and helping him with tranportation and food. I'll be honest, it was really hard. I agree with some of the others in that stability really is what's best for your sister right now, going from place to place will not be conducive to healing, but it's not selfish to think about yourself in this situation, too. If your stressed to the hilt and are the sole means of support for your sis, this isn't good for her, either, because this will effect her mental state as well. (Not to mention how inportant it is for you to stay sane). In the end, know that you are doing a great thing for your sister (and yourself, since you'll feel better knowing she's okay) and don't take on more than you can handle, you have to take care of yourself, too.
2006-08-04 14:26:59 · answer #5 · answered by wendy g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm wondering if changing her living situation every other week or so would be stressful for her? Staying with a certain routine is usually important. You are great for giving her support until she has proper housing provided. Perhaps if she can stay with one of you, the others can support the home provider in other ways (visiting, providing food, companionship, enjoyable activities) while she is living temporarily in one place. Do not treat her like she is a child (mentally challenged), if that is not the case.
2006-08-04 13:33:19 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will be hard 4 all of u since taking in someone is never a pleasure. just make sure she is taking all her meds on time, n doing what she needs 2 in order 2 get on her feet. good luck n have patience it will all work 4 the best.
2006-08-04 13:30:00 · answer #7 · answered by Lady Geo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no easy answer. Was she a danger to herself or others?
Are there young children who may be in harms way?
Is she required to take anti-psychotic drugs or is she fighting depression?
All of these questions must be answered. But my gut feeling is that if it is possible,try not to move her around too much. It will only cause more anxiety.
2006-08-04 13:30:49 · answer #8 · answered by onelonevoice 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs a stable place to live. Passing her around like a book is not going to be good for her. She is going to feel very unwanted by all of you. Maybe she could stay in one place and every one just chip in to help cover the cost.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Call the red cross maybe they can give you some ideas as to where she find a place.
2006-08-04 13:29:29 · answer #9 · answered by hummingbird 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a nurse and I would suggest that you not move her from place to place. She is going to need things to be stable. People in this state need a lot of attention. Good Luck
2006-08-04 13:29:25 · answer #10 · answered by schnees7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋