We are not in the emergency room. But we may be headed there soon if the slide continues. I am starting to see some of the behaviors that preceded the psychotic break of 2014.
Don decided to run away from home today. He didn't want to go to his day program. I got him dressed and ready, and then took my shower and got dressed. Based on our discussion with his counselor yesterday, I was avoiding him in the morning to allow him to move at his own speed. When I came downstairs, the front door was open and he was gone. I looked at my watch, and it was within the range of time when his Senior Services ride usually arrives. So I didn't worry about it.
Then suddenly he came through the garage door. He said he had been circling the house.
Apparently I hadn't noticed he was running away, so he had to come back to make sure I knew he was going. So he takes off again and heads up the the street. Now, since I know, I have to follow him and get him to come back. I get him turned around and his Senior Services ride arrives. He refuses to get into the car and tells the driver to go away.
Then he starts hitting me with his cane. I try to get him into my car to take him either to Birchwood, or the emergency room. He starts beating on the dashboard with his cane, so I take the cane away.
The Senior Services drive stays to make sure we don't need to call the police. I go get my keys and he gets out of the car again. He tells me I am crazy and he is going to break everything he can get his hands on - and shakes me. I called Katy to talk him down. He tells her I am crazy.
Finally I get into the car and convince him we are going either to Senior Services or the emergency room - but he isn't staying home. During the drive to Senior Services he opens the door several times to show me how mad he is. As the drive continues he calms down. I still don't know where to take him - is it bad enough to commit him to 48 evaluation in the mental ward, or can he still be reached? Katy is supposed to visit tomorrow, but if he melts down he will be in the locked ward when she gets here. I decide to try going to Senior Services to see if he will go.
When we get there, Don is so angry at me. But this time he asked to talk to Kary. I call her again. She tells him, "Hang on til I get there." He says, "I don't know if I can." I don't know if he can either. But he did go into the day program. And then I had lots of 'splaining to the staff.
After I got home, I got another call. The Senior Services drivers were concerned about driving him and I would need to pick him up. No surprise there. Then I got another call saying he wanted to come home early. Really? He may be mad at me, but he still calls on me. I am in no rush to get him back. I hope I can keep him home until Katy comes.
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