Mental disabilities in brother

bookworm
Sun, 19 Dec 2021 13:28:37 +0000

I feel for everyone here going thru this with family members. I’ve seen so many solutions

1. HS friend admitted to McLeans Hospital when I was working there. Her parents helped her get on SSI (which could be done 40 years ago). They pay her rent and electricity, and work with the landlord if there are issues. She “worked” at McLeans in the flower shop. She is fortunate that her parents can assist her with $.

2. Others, from 20’s to 50 live with parents and have NO respect for boundaries. Eating all the food and leaving a mess is common. One man won’t leave the house and drives his MO to severe depression. He acts like a 6 year old. He refuses to let a repair man into the house. She hasn’t been able to leave him for a few days to visit family. NAMI cannot offer any group homes in our area, and we’ve been trying to find an ALF to admit him.
Another would like to work, but has held 12 jobs in 2 years. He can barely last 2 weeks, as he can’t relate to do-workers.
We only have one residential building in the area. Small apartments, rent based on income. Right next to a mental health center. Ten years ago, when I helped a patient fill out the forms, she didn’t turn it in. By the following year, they no longer had a waiting list.
It is almost impossible to find an ALF that will accept someone younger than 60, who has mental health problems.
Another man, 400#, was kicked out of a group home for stealing. Only because of his mental health issue, he is in a psychiatric hospital. His MO refuses to let him back home. He steals from her, gambles, acts aggressively.
Even as I write this, I just got a text to call a patient. She has been disowned by her family and has no one.

Point is, I’m impressed that the OP’s relative can work 20 hours from home. Also, that he can even live alone.

Several people mentioned boundaries and support groups. I am fully in agreement with these options.