If I am not mistaken, most counties/cities have provisions for the police to make 'welfare checks' to see if people are ok. If you are truly afraid of your neighbor across the street, and are concerned that the 80 year old lady you know is having problems, maybe you could call the police/sheriff and see if someone could go by and knock on the door to check up on them?
Neighbor is Cracking Up
Neighbor across the street seems to be cracking up. He's out on his front porch yelling and what he says doesn't make sense. He got a bill the other day and took it to the police station, and told them to contact the FBI about it. Yes, he was drunk -- but he's also showing signs of craziness. He has a mental illness for which he takes a prescription. I don't know the name of the mental illness. He is 60 years old, never had children, has been divorced twice. He showed up at 2 a.m. a few days ago and asked Bryan to take him to the V.A. Hospital. The doctors gave him sleeping pills and sent him home.
What to do? I'm afraid of him. There are no relatives or friends to call.
Also, I have a friend who I believe has Alzheimer's Disease. She's in her 80s or even older. I called her a couple of weeks ago. The phone rang twice, was picked up, and then hung up, without anyone ever saying 'hello.' I called back and she picked it up and said 'hello.' But that's all she ever said. I kept saying, "Emily, how are you?" She just said 'hello.' I said "Are you all right?" She just said 'hello.' I know she had a son so I looked him up in the phone book, but the only person I see listed with that last name is herself.
My car died and I can't get over there to see her in person.
What to do? :shrug:
What to do? I'm afraid of him. There are no relatives or friends to call.
Also, I have a friend who I believe has Alzheimer's Disease. She's in her 80s or even older. I called her a couple of weeks ago. The phone rang twice, was picked up, and then hung up, without anyone ever saying 'hello.' I called back and she picked it up and said 'hello.' But that's all she ever said. I kept saying, "Emily, how are you?" She just said 'hello.' I said "Are you all right?" She just said 'hello.' I know she had a son so I looked him up in the phone book, but the only person I see listed with that last name is herself.
My car died and I can't get over there to see her in person.
What to do? :shrug:
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Call your local public mental people or you local social services- you can tell them you are worried he is a danger to himself- if he really scares you, call the police- with your elderly lady friend, see if you can find anyone in a church group or senior services voluteer association to help. Did you ask her for her son's name and address?
I was going to say the same thing. Just explain to the police everything you just said to us. They should understand. Good luck. Unstable people can be scary sometimes.
The elderly man - "Danger to self or others" he can be committed up to 72 hours for psychiatric eval. Cal the police - let them know. IF he is on meds and is drinking, it will affect the meds.
The elderly lady - call police - explain the situation ask, for a welfare check or say you feel she is a danger to self (sounds like it) She also will be taken for a psychiatric eval. (Yes, they will be able to evaluate if it's alzheimers) Contact your local Area Agency on Aging. They also can help.
Sometimes being committed is the very best thing that can be done as they will then get the help they need.
The elderly lady - call police - explain the situation ask, for a welfare check or say you feel she is a danger to self (sounds like it) She also will be taken for a psychiatric eval. (Yes, they will be able to evaluate if it's alzheimers) Contact your local Area Agency on Aging. They also can help.
Sometimes being committed is the very best thing that can be done as they will then get the help they need.
Sounds like the medication stopped working and the man has decided to self-medicate. Perhaps a state mental agency could intervene in the matter and notify his doctor. He needs to keep the appointment and plan a new strategy in treating his mental illness.
Try to make another effort to contact a family member of your friend with alzheimer's. Perhaps the police would help locate a family member.
Try to make another effort to contact a family member of your friend with alzheimer's. Perhaps the police would help locate a family member.
As for the elderly lady, she does need a welfare check, and may need to go to a nursing home. I had a neighbor like that, and she simply forgot to eat. Nobody knew she was in trouble until she got very very thin.
I agree. Call the police, express your concerns and they will come out and check things out.If I am not mistaken, most counties/cities have provisions for the police to make 'welfare checks' to see if people are ok. If you are truly afraid of your neighbor across the street, and are concerned that the 80 year old lady you know is having problems, maybe you could call the police/sheriff and see if someone could go by and knock on the door to check up on them?
When my son was having issues the mental health agency in his area told me to never hesitate to call the police if I felt he was in danger (to himself or others). They said the police would just check in on him and would take him to the hospital if necessary. I'm sure they would do the same in your area.
G
We got a saying around here. There was an old man lived up the road, and some church women came to visit him one Sunday afternoon. He was sitting on his porch drinking a beer. They had several things to say to him, he told them "Best thing you can do is mind your own business" For some reason, they decided something was wrong with him and called the rescue squad. He refused to go, and the church women, the rescue squad, a couple deputies were all up there trying to tell him something was wrong with him. He was saying, "Ain't nothing wrong with me, best thing ya'll can do is mind your own business" Well, when it was all over and done, he was still sitting on his porch, still sipping his beer, and everybody else had left. Moral of the story...Sometimes, Best thing you can do is mind your own business.
Is it possible your elderly friend is hard of hearing, or was experiencing phone problems that day? I'm assuming she's exhibited other worrisome problems beyond this particular episode to make one believe she might have Alzheimers.
Alzheimer's is probably the most well-know form of dementia but there are many other kinds and some respond well to medication. My MIL had been diagnosed by her primary doc as having Alzheimer's, but a neurologist who followed up on a stroke she had after the diagnosis said he didn't feel it was correct. He diagnosed her as suffering from a different type of dementia, and the meds he prescribed made a world of difference. She continued to live in her own home with assistance up until a few months before she passed away.
In any case, I think you have the right idea about getting a phone number for her son, and the advice to request a welfare check is very wise.
Alzheimer's is probably the most well-know form of dementia but there are many other kinds and some respond well to medication. My MIL had been diagnosed by her primary doc as having Alzheimer's, but a neurologist who followed up on a stroke she had after the diagnosis said he didn't feel it was correct. He diagnosed her as suffering from a different type of dementia, and the meds he prescribed made a world of difference. She continued to live in her own home with assistance up until a few months before she passed away.
In any case, I think you have the right idea about getting a phone number for her son, and the advice to request a welfare check is very wise.
Be aware that removing a person from familiar surroundings and routines can often precipitate a change from semi-functional behavior into a complete breakdown. Every street has "crazy" neighbors. Reporting every little thing they do is NOT a kindness.
"He showed up at 2 a.m. a few days ago and asked Bryan to take him to the V.A. Hospital. The doctors gave him sleeping pills and sent him home.
What to do? I'm afraid of him. There are no relatives or friends to call."
There is little reason to be afraid of someone who has the sense to ask for help when needed. If he yells on his porch, unless he does it continually, my response is "whatever." I've had neighbors that talked to imaginary people quite heatedly.
There is a huge difference between aberrant behavior and dangerous behavior. You need to recognize that the presence of the first one does NOT automatically mean the other will follow. I worked in hospital locked wards long enough to realize that with just a little more than normal watchfulness it is possible to be in a room with forty strong people with MAJOR violence issues and not be in any real danger.
The second person sounds like she is hard of hearing or confused that she dialed a number expecting someone and got someone else. "Sundowning" seems to be an issue for some people with A. They do fine most of the day but then have a period around sundown or evening when body rhythms kick up problems. Eventually, if it is A., other issues will start to manifest. For now, you had a minor inconvenience. My response again is "whatever."
IMO, not every problem in the world requires immediate attention by authorities. If you think that is the case, then living in a HOA would probably be a lot more comfortable for you than living in the country.
"He showed up at 2 a.m. a few days ago and asked Bryan to take him to the V.A. Hospital. The doctors gave him sleeping pills and sent him home.
What to do? I'm afraid of him. There are no relatives or friends to call."
There is little reason to be afraid of someone who has the sense to ask for help when needed. If he yells on his porch, unless he does it continually, my response is "whatever." I've had neighbors that talked to imaginary people quite heatedly.
There is a huge difference between aberrant behavior and dangerous behavior. You need to recognize that the presence of the first one does NOT automatically mean the other will follow. I worked in hospital locked wards long enough to realize that with just a little more than normal watchfulness it is possible to be in a room with forty strong people with MAJOR violence issues and not be in any real danger.
The second person sounds like she is hard of hearing or confused that she dialed a number expecting someone and got someone else. "Sundowning" seems to be an issue for some people with A. They do fine most of the day but then have a period around sundown or evening when body rhythms kick up problems. Eventually, if it is A., other issues will start to manifest. For now, you had a minor inconvenience. My response again is "whatever."
IMO, not every problem in the world requires immediate attention by authorities. If you think that is the case, then living in a HOA would probably be a lot more comfortable for you than living in the country.
Elocn, many years ago, I remember seeing my grandfather pick up our telephone receiver and hold it to his ear upside down, speaking into the earpiece. He kept saying 'Hello, hello" and finally hung it up, saying 'Dead'. We all laughed, but maybe your lady neighbor did the same thing, not being able to hear you, but you could hear her saying hello. As to the other fellow, I don't know. Good luck! Jan in Co
my husband is mentally ill from several closed head injuries..but he isn't a danger to anyone except himself as he is highly accident prone.
you need to remember mental illness is no different than any other illness and it isn't something to be afraid of..
i have cared for lots of people with alzheimers..in it's advanced stage they should not be allowed to live alone..and if they are being left alone then their family should be held liable for it.
they won't remember to eat or use the bathroom, they can even forget to swallow and pouch food in their mouths for days or weeks.
they need regular care.
my husband thankfully is not at that point yet, but taking more than a dozen medications he can't really be left alone for periods of time, if something happened to me he wouldn't be able to funciton alone..however, he can still drive and shop and go to his own dr appts..at least they tell me it is ok..but generally i drive him.
you need to remember mental illness is no different than any other illness and it isn't something to be afraid of..
i have cared for lots of people with alzheimers..in it's advanced stage they should not be allowed to live alone..and if they are being left alone then their family should be held liable for it.
they won't remember to eat or use the bathroom, they can even forget to swallow and pouch food in their mouths for days or weeks.
they need regular care.
my husband thankfully is not at that point yet, but taking more than a dozen medications he can't really be left alone for periods of time, if something happened to me he wouldn't be able to funciton alone..however, he can still drive and shop and go to his own dr appts..at least they tell me it is ok..but generally i drive him.
Harry Chickpea, what does HOA stand for?
By the way, the neighbor across the street has been violent in the past. Shortly after his second wife left him he went off his head. He came over here and was yelling at Bryan "Where's Astrid? Have you got Astrid?" He had his hands around Bryan's throat, choking him. Finally Bryan got loose and shut and locked the door. Then the neighbor went and got an aluminum tombstone and threw it at Bryan's storm door. It badly dented the metal part of Bryan's stormdoor.
By the way, the neighbor across the street has been violent in the past. Shortly after his second wife left him he went off his head. He came over here and was yelling at Bryan "Where's Astrid? Have you got Astrid?" He had his hands around Bryan's throat, choking him. Finally Bryan got loose and shut and locked the door. Then the neighbor went and got an aluminum tombstone and threw it at Bryan's storm door. It badly dented the metal part of Bryan's stormdoor.
HOA = home owner association. They work well for some people, not so well for others of us.
I've not heard of aluminum tombstones, so we both learned something.
Talk with a mental health professional about warning signs and what to do. Not being on the scene, I don't feel comfortable making further evaluation other than to say what you just reported sounds more situational than indicative of an organic source of the behavior.
I've not heard of aluminum tombstones, so we both learned something.
Talk with a mental health professional about warning signs and what to do. Not being on the scene, I don't feel comfortable making further evaluation other than to say what you just reported sounds more situational than indicative of an organic source of the behavior.
If he's older (~50+) you can call adult/elderly services. You can also call your health department to see who you'd call for mental health services. It sounds like he could have untreated schizophrenia.
People with schizophrenia are far more likely to be harmed than to harm anyone. They are less likely to harm someone that you would be, statistically, that is.
People with schizophrenia are far more likely to be harmed than to harm anyone. They are less likely to harm someone that you would be, statistically, that is.
I absolutely agree with this. I cleaned homes for some years and one of my clients had a brother with schizophrenia who she asked if I could clean for. At first I was afraid and rather egged on in my fear by family. But after having met the fellow on a couple of occasions I realized he was really not to be feared. I began cleaning for him and did until he passed. He was being treated with medications, and was inclined to feel paranoid but he was over all a kind lonely fellow & more likely to harm himself through neglect than anyone else.
People with schizophrenia are far more likely to be harmed than to harm anyone. They are less likely to harm someone that you would be, statistically, that is.
I wish you luck, especially with the elderly woman. Mental disorders and illness are so hard on everyone - the victims most of all.
Do you have a "meals on wheels" program in the area?
Sign them both up (with their permission). That would insure someone checks in on them every day.
Sign them both up (with their permission). That would insure someone checks in on them every day.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
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