I have an elderly neighbor who I believe is delusional - what should I do to get her help?

Question

I live in a condo complex. I have an elderly neighbor who's condo backs up to mine. Starting last December she has been coming over to my condo telling us to stop playing "When the Saints go Marching In" every night at midnight - leaving us notes and calling the police on us! She even went so far last week as to call the condo owner (who happens to be my parents). She is clearly delusional, we don't play that kind of music nor do we hardly play any music in the condo. I've talked to our other neighbors, and they don't hear anything. She brings up this issue every 4 or so months, technically I consider what she's doing Harassment. But I think she is elderly and is having delusions. Does anyone have experience with something like this? She's approximately 70 years old, disabled, walks with a walker and drives. I'm concerned about her, she lives alone and i've never seen anyone visit her - not sure if she has family to contact. Suggestions on what I should do or who I should contact pleas

Condos are owned individually - my parents own mine and I believe she owns hers.

Answer 1

She may develop some form of Dementia which can come with hallucinations. The big question is - can she take care of herself and is she doing it? If there is a danger that she is not taking care of herself anymore, eg. not eating right, leaving stove on, you can contact APA - adult protective services, they will evaluate her and place her in a nursing home to be safe.

Answer 2

I'd first try to locate any relitives and make them aware of your concerns. If they don't seem to concerned I'd try to find out her doctor and maybe try to make a note to him she may need help. You say your parents own the condo? DO they have any personal information on her lease etc that might help them to notify a family memeber?? Perhaps it would be legal if not, for them to inquire about some for emergancy purposes?? Another thing you could try is calling your local hospital and asking what to do or who to call or a mental health facility. If she is delusional she may be a danger to herself or even others in the building should she accidently start a stove fire or something forgetting its on......... Most elderly people who are acting this way due to being delusional can not help it. They are often lost in another time and confusing you with someone from and earlier time with an event that probably actually happened then.........She doesnt need punished she needs helped..... I hope you can continue to view her as ill and not trying to direct things personally to you. Its hard for you I'm sure, sad for her.

Answer 3

This may be the beginning of Alzheimer's. Sometimes the police services (not 911) have information on people who can help you. If this is rare and the only problem then she is alright on her own, but eventually you won't want to think of her doing her own cooking. If you have the time, talk to her. She may be lonely and living in the past. By talking to her you may hear about her family or emergency contacts. You also can get a feel of how bad she really is and if she is a danger to herself and others. I hate to think of her driving.
Be creative if you have to, go to her door and tell her that you have lost something or that someone you know would like to buy her car. I know it is wrong to lie but if she is seriously delusional, she won't remember the reason you went there.

Answer 4

If your parents are the condo owners they surely have an emergency contact name. They should contact that person and inform them that she is having problems. Describe the problems and ask them to tend to her issues.... or see that they are tended to.

Answer 5

Well, you can contact your local Social Services offices if you are concerned for her welfare as a senior, they would send a social worker out there just to see that she is doing okay. I don't think it's okay that you are diagnosing her yourself. She may be a pest but it's up to a doctor to say if she has a mental disorder. Social services would see to it that she gets to a doctor or encourage her to get to one if they are concerned.

Answer 6

See for her.First call and ambulance to get her to a hospital to have her seen by a doctor on duty.They will no what to do with her.Its better for her to seek medical help,its better to be sure then sorry.Take care of her,if nobody seem to take care of her.Cause maybe one day she would do maybe something to hurt her self.Good luck.God love her and you i do.xo.

Answer 7

Have you tried to interact with her? Perhaps you might ask, "Is there a song you would like to hear?" She is just old and probably lonely. You might contact her family to make them aware of her behavior. The last thing to do is contact the government. They will strip her of everything.

Answer 8

You could check with a social worker (county or city) to see if they can come and just make sure she's ok.

Answer 9

First you have to lose the hate that you sure to be feeling its normal. If youre not doing anything wrong then why worry about it? She dont pay your rent. Shes just a lil yap yap dog dont get upset let it go. You cant get a mental health warrant unless shes dangerous she has to hit you first for that.