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Silvia1
New Contributor

My 60yr old mum has Schizophrenia

I am almost 31 and have had my mum with me in my rental for almost 7 years now.

Unfortunately her condition just keeps getting worse and I am at breaking point now.

I want to start living my own life and I can't live with her anymore.

She is on DSP, I took her to the doctor a few years ago to fill out NDIS application but she refused to answer any questions, so it was a fail. 

She just sits in silence at home all day, smoking and drinking coffee, sending me unhinged messages etc, etc.

I can't "force" her to do anything, therefore I'm stuck with her.

What options do I actually have? Who do I contact? How do I get her help?

Im stuck in my bedroom all night after work because I can't even stand being in the same room as her and it hurts me so much that I feel this way.

 

If anyone has any advice please let me know

3 REPLIES 3

Re: My 60yr old mum has Schizophrenia

Hey @Silvia1 ,

 

That certainly is a tough one. Seeing you are 'family', and she lives with you, you are most likely seen as her carer. 

 

Have you spoken to her about how you feel she really need more support than you can give her? Is she well enough to look after herself? Or does she need care all the time?

Re: My 60yr old mum has Schizophrenia

Unfortunately any time I mention further support, or try and speak to her about how her behaviour affecgs me, she shuts me down and tells me there is someone in my head trying to turn me against her. She does not believe she has any mental illness which makes it very hard. 

 

I don't believe she can look after herself very well. She only eats because I cook for her, otherwise she wouldn't eat. I need to remind her about personal hygiene and also pay her phone bill for her because she wont allow me to put it on direct debit. But she does take herself to and from the doctor to get her injections.

 

 

 

Re: My 60yr old mum has Schizophrenia

That's so tough. 

 

Do you think she would cook and look after herself more if you weren't there? @Silvia1 

 

I'm thinking whether it's more that she wont' or CAN't look after herself. There's a difference.

 

I wonder if you can speak to her GP about it? The problem is that without NDIS, she can't even get support workers to help her. It's probably worth calling NDIS to see whether they can support someone who clearly needs help but doesn't admit it.

 

OR, when can she get support as part of old age support... isn't that 60 years? I'm not 100% sure.

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