Paranoia Elderly Women
EXPERTS ONLY… can an elderly woman in Oregon be charged in her husband’s death for refusing to seek medical
attention for a leg injury which was left untreated for months, resulting in infection, gangrene, and possible blood poisoning? The man was undiagnosed schizophrenia/paranoia and refused to go to a doctor. Since he was career retired Coast Guard, my fiancee and I called the Coast Guard and asked if they could send him a counselor, and they replied that the wife must make the request. There is “undertermined natural cause” listed as cause of death on the death certificate, and extended family have shown clear interest in his dying first before his wife, and have made no effort in hiding their motive(s). I am being threatened with permanent excommunication by the family if I contact the authorities, and they grow very hostile to me every time I ask for more information.
I found it odd that the wife had him cremated as we are accustomed to burial and he was due full military honors burial for his 27 year military service.
You don’t indicate your relationship to the person. My understanding is that any person, UNLESS judged incompetent by a judge, has the right to refuse medical treatment. And I can also see the Coast guard position.. that they cannot “send” persons out, at the request of persons other than those with legal authority. I do know of one instance locally where there was ATTEMPTED actions towards a wife, for a similiar issue (the husband refused treatment of any kind) but I can’t say if there were ever any actions taken against her.
I would say that whether or not you contact any authorities, is a choice that cannot be made by ANYONE but yourself. Sounds like no one took the steps to request intervention or court orders before the death, which would have been the only way to force treatment. And a judge could have then made the decision to give authority to a family member (or maybe not.. ).
One place you might call/ talk to, would be Oregon’s elder abuse agency. I am sure that they have much experience on this issue.
Crowned Regal on Alopecia Paranoia and Her Neighborhood
