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Adding to the long story with our aunt, we called the ambulance and explained the situation. They seemed to get it and showed up to pick her up and after about an hour of back and forth she told them adamantly she refused to go. So, the EMT said even though she seemed out of it they could not force her to go. We thought for sure calling ahead and letting them know the situation would be in our favor, but we are no further than where we were before and may be worse off since I am doubting if we call them again they will come. My cousin called the Area Agency on Aging this AM as they are coming on Thursday, but the case worker told her pretty much the same. She can refuse to go and they can’t force her. She definitely needs help and this shouldn’t be as difficult as it is. Sorry just another rant.

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A person with dementia can refuse treatment but they have to demonstrate "mental capacity"
I think there is a series of questions that they (paramedics and or police) have to ask and if the person answers the questions properly thus demonstrating "capacity" then they can not transport.
But if the person clearly does not comprehend then they can not refuse treatment.
Make sure you have proper documents that indicate you are POA for Medical decisions.
I would clarify this with the paramedics, go to the department when it is not an emergency and ask what the policy is. Might even want to check this with your lawyer if you have one and have all the documentation at hand for next time.
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Maine127 Apr 2022
That’s just it we do not have POA we are just trying to get her the help she needs as her nieces but we are getting no where
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Let the crisis unfold and take it from there. At some point, she'll be in no shape to refuse. Sorry that is harsh; however, it's her life, not yours.
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AlvaDeer Apr 2022
I sure agree. This will come to a head eventually.
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Well, you're just going to have to leave her alone until a crisis happens. Then she will have no other choice but to go to the hospital and THEN they won't release your aunt back home to live alone. I'd back off of helping her as much as possible, too, and allow the chips to fall where they may. You can't force an elder to accept help, but you also shouldn't force YOUR help upon THEM when they're THIS stubborn. Allow her to accept the consequences of her own actions. Eventually, she'll fall or get sick and need help from 911 and that's when she'll get the help she needs.

Best of luck.
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I feel your pain. Same thing happened with my mother.

She fell or something, wouldn't go. EMTs knew she wasn't safe but left. Neighbor was a fire fighter who knew my mother's circumstances and a lot of first responders, so an ambulance came back. If we could get her to the hospital, we all knew they wouldn't release her to go home alone. It was so many years ago I'm forgetting details, but it is amazing how one person can up-end the lives of sooooo many other people.

I wish I could remember how they worked around her/laws, but somebody did something, and off he went.

But then, she started BS at the hospital, which is another story, but she never did get to go back home. Pure unnecessary mess and drama, and it ended up severing family relations.

Breathe.
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Maine127 Apr 2022
Thanks it’s just so frustrating and really should not be this difficult to get assistance when it’s obvious the person needs it
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