need some advice on getting family member medical attention against their will

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lovinghands

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my uncle is a alcoholic for many years now, he has began swelling up face and legs, his legs now have 10 inch diameter open wounds on them 1 1/2 inch deep draining and yellow, he also has a hernia almost to his knees. he lives with my grandma and of course is not employed, won't sign for medicaid or any help, says he wants to die. my problem is i do not want my grandma too find him dead soon. is there any way we can get him medical attention without his consent? he can't keep any solids down, he's started throwing any food up. any info would be greatly appreciated

thanx

In my state this man would be considered a danger to himself. I work in a state psychiatric hospital and have seen patients come in under similiar conditions. His statements of wanting to die and inability to care for himself would at least bring him to our doorsteps - from there it all depends on his current mental status and the recommendations of his treatment team and the mental illness board.

Patients who chronically abuse alcohol can develop alcohol-induced dementia, a persisting psychiatric condition. This dementia often resembles early stage alzheimer disease - alterations in cogniton may be reflected in memory loss, impaired judgment, inability to make decisions regarding personal well-being.

I think it is important to remember alcohol is extremely neurotoxic - it is a poision to all of our organ systems but particulary are brain and liver take the brunt of chronic alcohol abuse. Interestingly enough, studies have shown that early intervention & abstinence can improve mental functioning in patients diagnosed with this condition.

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