81 year old woman. Physically healthy. Her mental stability is unstable and worsening.
Mom states… airplanes that fly over her community are spying on her…states her home is “bugged” and being “video taped” by her former co-workers, family members, people in her community. She accuses neighbors of working on behalf of her enemies. Mom has zero friends. She has said things like this for as far back as I remember. She was a physically abusive parent. She still has fits of rage but can no longer act on them. I think she needs help but is not compliant. She also thinks doctors are working for her enemies. “Enemies” or the “bad guys” are her words.
These are people that spend all of their days and nights and money watching and plotting against her. There is a lot more to talk about.
Would she accompany you to psychiatry appointment for YOUR problem with not understanding her problems?
If she will go, take her to a therapist. Other wise you will be dealing with this forever.
I would get in contact with APS and let them access the mental health system such as it may be where you are. I would NEVER under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES assume POA or guardianship as this will give you a lifetime of pain and woe to no avail. It is very difficult to help those who do not want help. The job is onerous enough when doing it for an organized, rational and cooperative adult, but that's not your Mom. I would ask the state to assume guardianship and help your Mom access any support available to her. I would try to visit her, but for the most part I would get on with my own life and make it quality; I would get therapy so that I did not pass on to my own family the trauma I lived through mental illness.
Only you can make your own decisions for yourself. These above would be mine. Your Mom has lived her life. You have yours ahead of you.