We are petitioning for guardianship over MIL, who has severe dementia, and has become violent and hostile and made suicidal
ideations. We attempted to have her admitted to hospital but was declined because she snowballed the staff into thinking she was fine. We are pursuing guardianship now. She is a danger to herself and others and it has been noted by her home health team. There have been witnesses to her behavior and threats to us and others. My question is, I’ve heard guardianship can take a long time. Is there a way to get her into a home before then? We have social workers and lawyers involved now. Can someone else convince her to sign in?
A Guardianship can probably be expedited if it is an "emergency" and it sounds like this qualify particularly if she is a threat to herself or others.
If you are working with an attorney please have them push this.
The only other suggestion might be if she threatens violence or self harm again call 911 and when she is taken to the hospital tell them that you can not care for her safely in your home and that she is unsafe in her home (If she is not living with you)
Refuse to take her home. (as a matter of fact you might not even want to go to the hospital. Since you are not POA or her Guardian.)
The other thing I suggest is DOCUMENT EVERYTHING that indicated she is a threat to herself and others. You may need this when you go to court, it may help at the hospital as well.
Do know that anyone that has had episodes of violence may have a difficult time getting into a facility. I have heard that they typically want 90 days of no violent episodes. You might want to discuss this with her doctors.
Your other option might be..do not obtain Guardianship and let the State become her Guardian she would become a Ward of the State and the appointed Guardian would make all decisions as to her care.
Guardianship is a lone expensive process, I wouldn't want to be responsible for her, just more problems.
Video everything, add to your file. Time to take action.
Good Luck
A lawyer should be able to tell u how long guardianship should take. It involves a court hearing before a judge and MIL may need to be there. The cost can be taken from her money if you win. Medicaid allows this.
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