The Caregiver & Dysfunctional Families: How are you doing?

PARENTS ARE SELFISH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get alot of crap if I need to anything for myself because I am told WE TOOK CARE OF YOU NOW ITS YOUR TURN. Well I was taken care of as a child by dysfunctional parents in a dyfunc. family for 14 years kicked out for being 30 minutes from work. Best thing that happened to me. Then 15 years ago got pushed into helping them out because Dad went blind and couldn't drive, Mom never drove. It just snowballed from there. I have lost to much of my life to continue to be there slave. Now I need to take of myself. PARENTS CAN AND ARE BULLIES.

Book and Joan~I still maintain my mother has Alzheimer's Disease. This information came from the receptionist not the dr. The dr. is going to call my sister. The only thing I can come up with is that possibly the dr. does not think my mother incompetent at this point. I am going to talk with a nurse from the senior living community and ask if they have come across this and what questions we need to ask the neurologist.

Joan I hope you are feeling better. This time of year in my area can cause many illnesses because we go from spring to winter in less than a day. Allergies, viruses all come into play. Almonds started blooming last month, daffodils are blooming, and annual grasses that grow in the early spring and autumn are growing. All contribute to sinus infections and allergies. Take care and Hugs to you!!
Book~ Thank you for the link, I will do some research on Friday when I am off. I agree with what you posted, my mom has only shown symptoms of dementia for 2 years and she has declined quickly this last year. An MRI is not going to show that. If she had strokes, it would show that and offer some explanation, but that isn't the case. So here are as we were a year ago...we wait some more. Hugs to you book and please, take some time off even if you only rent a hotel room on your island to get away from everything and everyone. Maybe you should do a weekend away every 2 months. Please take care of your health!!

Sharyn, my mom never got the brain scans. She just had a series of tests. And we (as in father, oldest bro, I and mom) also went to a psychiatrist, psychologist?? (Sorry, I always get those mix up). And he was the one who told us about mom's diagnosis and that we had a long road ahead and that mom's care should not fall onto one person's shoulder. That as a family, we need to pull together and help with the caring of mom. He prepared us on what to expect from mom as she progressed in her dementia. Well, those words went right in one ear of oldest bro (who lives next door) and out the other ear. Anyway, mom had a series of tests done to her ... her diagnosis was very broad: dementia/ alzheimer/ parkinson. As of yet, 24 years later, mom has no twitching/jerking limbs.

Book-beware jam posting from my kindle so anything may be said here lol. I think the Dr. May suggest a nero-psch evaluation. Just l ike y our mom it is a broad diagnosis but I don't think he will leave us hanging. Phew...I got through that without major mos typos.

Sharynmarie,

You didn't get into my personal business about my sister and me, at all.
I want to hear what others think, too. Your opinion is very valued!

Yes, and on that note, as I've written previously, I still really don't have enough info., w/respect to what kind of tests were given to mother when she was first diagnosed. She and the narcissistic sister were in the care of a general practitioner. But back in those days, mother's sister because she had a relationship w/this doctor, she was the one having the communication with him.
For about a year, before we actually discovered mom had been diagnosed w/ALZ,
her sister knew this. She never told of us, mom's children. So mother was on some kind of anti-depressant already. The reason her sister did this, was because they lived alone, together in mom's home. Mom being the more mobile one, was caring for the sister, and had been doing so, for about 3 years already. They both just didn't want to lose their independence.

Anyway, I've never been to a doctor's appointment w/mom, as I'm not MPOA.
I always get sketchy information from my sister about this. I'm going to look up this article. I had no idea that one can't tell if a person has ALZ, until an autopsy is done. That sounds kind of crazy, don't you think? Hugs, Margeaux

Margeaux~I remember you posted some time back that your sis doesn't share info with you regarding your mom. My dad slept alot when he had Alz, even when he was still at home. My mother has always been hyper, never would sit down to relax during the day, and she stayed busy until she went to bed at night.

Yes, it is crazy that they haven't developed something to test more precisely on Alzheimer's. Even when my dad had it years back, they said they can only be sure from an autopsy on the brain. Drs. can get a good idea of what is going on with the person by eliminating other diseases and doing a neuro-psychological test on memory and from what I read on psychcentral, they can guess correctly 90% of the time. My dr. told me to keep cholesterol and blood pressure under control to help prevent it. Before they came out with the statin drugs for cholesterol, my dads cholesterol was over 300. Hugs to you and take care!!

Well, I have a brother who has multiple millions of dollars and lives across the country. He doesn't visit, doesn't call and doesn't contribute to caring for my mother. I have cared for her with my husband's help, for the last four years in my home. There have been multiple health issues aside from Alzheimers such as recurrent UTIs and a fractured hip, plus a head injury due to a fall, and vasovagal syncope, all requiring hospitalization and in home health "rehab". It's an extremely difficult situation and my brother does nothing despite the fact that he has no "family" of his own, and spends his time and money living a life of luxury in sunny California, often taking trips to other venues around the world. Not to mention he is grossly obese due to living the "high life" and enjoying a rich diet and zero exercise. My only hope is that his lifestyle will kill him early and he will leave me a ton of money. But I don't hold out for that because the way he is it will probably be left to one of the money-chasing golddigger girlfriends he has courted over the years.

vankeurengroup~I am so sorry for all you are going through. I know it is tough when siblings refuse to help. The only thing I can say, and you may not want to hear it, is that caregiving is a choice. You cannot force your brother to help you or your mother, he will have to deal with that decision at some point in time. We all have the power to choose, even when we believe we have no chose. I am sorry that this is the truth of the matter and my heart goes out to you. I suggest you contact the Area Agency on Aging in your city or county for more resources. You may be surprised at what your mother would qualify for...many programs to help. Keep us posted. Hugs to you.

Hi everyone!!

Dabs, how are things progressing with your brother in town? I know you dreaded his visit. I hope the appt. shed some light for your brother to understand and see what is actually going on.

Margeaux~How are you doing? I hope your neighbor is doing good and not imposing too much.

Cmag~How are things going with mom? How are you and your wife?

Joan~I hope you are feeling better. I am sorry your daughter is causing unnecessary stress. Hopefully she will see a dr. for an antidepressant. How is G, his son and mother?

Book~I am so sorry about your mother. It is very hard to go through and I hope you can get hospice help. You know I am thinking about you so check in with us when you can.

Nothing really new here. Still have not heard directly from the neurologist. Mom is not having good days since we took all her files out of her house on Monday. We need to go through everything to get all the legal info on her behalf. She doesn't understand that is back to accusing us of stealing her coins, dog food,etc. She is in a hyper mode and just hiding things, then changing where she hides them. This is a necessary process we must do for her.

Well my big mouth may have got me in trouble at work. I may get written up for this. What happened?...This is what happened.
On thrusday when I went to lunch, a woman came in the store asking when the rotisserie chickens would be done. The woman who helped her looked at the timer on the oven and told her the time left. About 10-15 minutes after I came back from lunch, the customer came back in and there was 12 minutes remaining on the oven. She started making a scene...she said she called the store 30 minutes ago was told the chickens would be done in so many minutes and the woman she spoke to was very rude to her. She pointed at me...saying I was the one she spoke to. I said I was not here, I was at lunch. She then tried to blame another co-worker. She said she called 30 minutes ago was told a time, then she came in the store 3o minutes later was told another time and now she was back and told 12 more minutes. Because I was out in the deli, she tried to blame me for all of it. She was aggressive, loud and very obnoxious. We called for a manager to come to our department. The woman twisted everything we said. No calls were transferred to our department during the time she said she called. I must have a mark on my forehead for some people to point fingers at me, LOL!! Anyway management said she could have the chicken on the house for her inconvenience. My big mouth muttered under my breath, It must be nice....she went off on me big time. She said you MOTHER F...ING B..ch, I hope you lose your job over this, YOU MOTHER F...ING B..CH, I have money to pay for it YOU MOTHER F...ING B..CH!!! I walked away from her and went in the back of the bakery. My co-worker called for management again. I know should not have said what I said, but she really... her only purpose was to get what she wanted for free and she knew what she was doing. We deal with certain customers who pull this stuff regularly. Because she targeted me... simply because she was looking for someone who was not there when she came in the first time... I was pissed and more. My co-workers are sticking up for me because this woman comes in usually when I am at lunch and she is always a bitch...they say. Tomorrow...who knows what may happen when the store manager is there. Even though people are supporting me, does not mean management will go along with it. I absolutely hate people who are gold diggers and this woman is one with a Capital G.

sharynmarie, nothing really different here. For some reason, social security disability has decided after 10 years to review my situation and have me meet with 'their psychiatrist' on Monday March 18th for an evaluation of my bipolar situation. This week my wife and I plus our oldest son will drive to visit my dad on Wednesday and come back on Friday.

Well, I grew up with an alcoholic father,dead now,my mom worked ,min jobs,dad didn't want to pay child support ,i moved with him as teenager with step family ,i got pregant at 15 or 16 had 2 children ended up divorced,childen stayed with my mon for several years while i worked because i didn't know what i was doing,now I remarried and had a child 20 yrs later -divorced because he was like my dad alcoholic,with a rap sheet ughh I was his3 wife, which he is on his 4th now with 2 other kids ,one with his wife now and the other one with the ex -girl he left me for,he trys to convince our child she is better off with him, domestic viol. involved he is with her because she has a good carrer,she more or less buying him,my child lives with me and my son which I am the caregiver,his home Its rough taking care of since i have no income and the deadbeat won't pay his child support right and goes to jail alot,, he just a a/hole that is sefish since he don;t own anything and nothing in his name and he depends on his moma and wife ,what a con, meanwhile I sell what little mhome i owned to take cae of son while actually he takes care of me and my daughter,Wow thats a mouth full can any body relate I am torn between I need a job --whos going to take care of them?? No friends ,no family help ,and I was diagnosed emphsemia I have 5 siblings =older that they always don't get along My son wants me to constantly do things around the house ,while teenager wants to do her thing , I am tired ,I can't get nobody motivated ,Then I end up forgeting things and frustrated
what a to do??? Did I mention 2 dogs and a cat I deal with feeding barking and cleaning up after too ,What a to do??? Dis -fun-ctional, much??

Sharynmarie,

I forgot to comment about what you said about my neighbor and she resenting other people in relationships. I don't know whether that is the case with her. She was in a very abusive relationship with her last husband, many years ago. It was at a time unfortunately when woman didn't know, or have resources to complain about it. I know some of this attitude may come from this experience.

She just turned 76, the other day. Some of her other friends, who I've met, are either in relationships or have just lost their husbands. There's one friend who as I said just lost her husband less than 2 years ago. When she speaks of this situation, my neighbor has the, "Get over it attitude." I had to explain to her, that it's not quite that simple to do; the grieving. I so don't like it when people talk this way about others. Plus, she really scoffs at this friends caregiver role with her husband.

In the time that I've become friends with her, (8 years), she's never dated, or mentioned being in situations where she could possibly meet any men. In this regard, it's basically always negative talk. She also has a friend who is 82, who is quite amazing. She has a boyfriend, and seems to be very interested in keeping this part of her life alive. When she's made negative remarks about that, I've responded with, "I think it is great that she feels motivated still at her age, to have this interest." So you see, she's negative! I'd heard some of this talk before.
But when she decided to comment on me and my husband, well I just thought this a bit much!

I did go over on Thursday, to wish her a Happy Birthday. I've been quite busy this week and hadn't gone to get her a gift. I'll do that today. I must admit, that I was still with some residual energy, from that day she annoyed me, especially given the fact I'd taken her to 3 doctor's appts., and made food for her several times since she was not supposed to stand on those legs she'd had the procedures done to.
My goodness, could it occur to the pea brain, that whatever she's thinking about the fact that I do make dinner for my husband, that some of we who care about people, isn't to be mocked. How lucky are they, who benefit from this, too!

The day I was wishing her a Happy Birthday, she had a friend there. They were drinking a non-alcoholic drink. But she sat there and tried to criticize the other friend who also took her to an appointment, claiming she couldn't find her car in the parking lot, etc. I politely said that the parking lot in the medical bldg.is confusing, with lack of clear signs where not to park. Anyway, I think this a clear case, of she not having any support from her own family. Then she decides to dump on the people who help her out. There's lack of appreciation going on here. So my game is changing a bit with her. I do still like her and all of that, but I'm creating a bit of distance. The emotional detachment. Boy, hadn't said that in a long time.


Wow, your story about this customer. What a horrible customer that one is!
It made me laugh, what you muttered! HAAH! Under those circumstances I may have muttered the same thing, Sharynmarie. I know maybe this isn't the best thing to say to you! But you know I'm being biased here! Well, I'd have to think that under these circumstances your management would have to be absolutely crazy to think in any way that it was your fault. Try not to worry too much about it, especially if your co-workers are sticking up for you. No, and I've worked customer service, "The customer is not always right!" Do they have one of those, "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone signs up?" O.K. going for my second cup of Joe! Your post did make me laugh, visualizing the whole scene.
Margeaux

During my last visit to my mom's I had an opportunity to talk with my sister.
She began telling about the ongoing tension she feels with our sister in law.
I'd posted about the competition my sister and SIL have about each of their two daughters. First of all both my sister and SIL are difficult people.

During the holidays they had some unkind behaviors by the youngest daughter's thwarted against one another's families. My sister's daughter didn't say, hello to this SIL, my brother (her uncle) and the two daughters when they arrived at my sister's place. Then my brother's and SIL's youngest girl dissed my other niece's 1 yr. old baby boy. He tried giving that girl a toy of his, and she just stared at him,
choosing not to react. All these nieces are 18 yrs. and older.

So my sister was telling me that in addition to all of this, that our SIL gave my sister's youngest daughter a $25.00 gift certificate for a hamburger food chain for Christmas.
I just found this out last week. My sister's daughter is obese. So my sister and the daughter of course took offense to this gesture by my SIL. My SIL, and one of her own daughter's is obese also. Anyway, I thought this very weird behavior on my SIL's part. But, I must also say, that my sister's daughter has been targeted before, and I realize it is unkind for others to either poke fun, or point out a weight issue to anyone. But I'm always wondering why it is my sister doesn't address the issue of the weight thing too. I say this, because my niece's dad's side of the family has a lot of diabetes. Anyway, it's very hard for me to bring up this issue with my sister. I hear that they would be offended, but I think they should focus on the weight issue.

One of the reasons that my sister was talking about my SIL, is t he fact that our brother unfortunately lost his job of 29 yrs as a rep for one of the most popular beverage companies in the US. We were all quite sad for my brother, as we as most people think when one has this kind of a job, thought he'd be retiring from this company. Over 3,300 employees were let go. We worried morally, and of course financially what it could do to my brother. Well, he seems to be maintaining a positive outlook, no matter what. I sure hope so.
No matter what, I always wish the best for my brother, SIL and my neices.
Margeaux

hugs to all

As I thought about this today, my free time for the week, I was thinking that I am doing as well as can be expected. I try not to take things to seriously, because I do know that one day my mom won't be here and I will miss her, but I have had this time with my mom and the rest of the family hasn't and for that I feel sorry for them. I also have a handicap son, one of five children, lost my husband before the last one was born, and life sure knows how to throw some punches at us. All we can do is make the best of what we have been handed, I can only guess that we end up as caregivers due to the fact that we accept responsibility when needed. My dad wanted me to be the one to take care of my mom and he had his reasons, and I just accepted the fact that she is my mother and I love her dearly, even when she drives me crazy....then I have to remember the disease is slowly taking her away from me.

I tend to be rambling, so I hope it has helped someone, it has me. Just to be able to write it down and I will try not to cry over things that I really can't change. We do know that a nursing home is not the place for her, after her stay in the hospital and two weeks there she was worse then before.

Margeaux~Thank you for clarify the situation with your friend. I understand now that she just has a negative temperament. That is hard to deal with but I am glad you are detaching. Those famous words we use so often, detach with love and set boundaries. You are a great friend to her and I hope she can see that, learn to appreciate it. Sometimes when we have been hurt so much in life, we only see the negative, try hard to get others to see it too.

I must admit that what I muttered was justified in the situation. I chuckle to myself as well but try to keep it to myself in case it bites me in the butt. Today was the first day that I worked since the incident happened with the store manager working too. He never said a word to me about it. Interestingly enough, another customer went off on a courtesy clerk today. The poor girl accidentally squished the customers cupcakes when bagging them. The customer said, "You f**king idiot!" the checker told the customer, "We can take it to the bakery for them to fix it." The customer said no!..."Make her F***king pay for it, the F***king idiot!" The young girl was in tears and left to the bathroom for quite sometime. The store manager walked out with the customer and once outside, he told her not to come back. Customers tend to have the attitude we as employees must be PERFECT. When we make a mistake, there is no rational thinking on their part...they only see a discount or getting it free so they make a big scene about it. It is a shame that our society has this attitude, but KUDOS to our store manager for sticking up for his employees and that we do not have to accept abuse from a customer just to make a sale. A few days ago, one of the head clerks asked me where I lived because he sees me drive by his house on such and such streets. I said Oh, I go that way during my lunch break to see my mom. Today when I was driving back from my mom's I saw him. He waved and I stopped and we talked a few minutes. He said I heard about what happened with you and a customer the other night, I said oh yes, she was something else and that the manager did not say a word to me about it. He said the word around the store is she came in with an attitude so he wouldn't say anything in that case. It is great to have the support of my co-workers and management in this case, however, I do need to watch my mouth, Lol...in the future!!

Without rambling on too much longer, I am off tomorrow, Yay!!! This is the first part of a weekend I have had off since we came back from Idaho in October. We are going to go for a drive, take some pics and just enjoy the time together since hubby doesn't have to work either. I told sis she will need to keep in touch with mom during the day and I will be there as usual to give her the medicine.Hugs to you Margeux!!

Welcome to our thread cinderbard!! We hope you come back and share some more. Hugs to you!!

Cmag~From what I understand about disability, this interview is you have to go through is standard procedure. I am sure you have nothing to worry about, but it is frustrating just the same. Keep us posted, we are all thinking and praying for you. Hugs!!

Mythree – my father has told me that too. Actually his exact words are: “That’s why we have children – to take care of us in our old age.” And then he proceeds to Try to enforce his authority over me. He expects me to jump at his every whim. Ha! So we always butt heads.

Yankeuren – It’s too bad that siblings who make much more than us – refuse to help us. You should hope really hard – what goes around comes around. Wouldn’t it be great that instead of him dying instantly, he will lose his wealth, and see how long these girlfriends last. And then on top of that, be diagnosed with Alz. Let’s see how he handles that without any extra cash for a fancy nursing home. I’d much prefer that our siblings learn what’s it like that WE went through.

Momlife – you have it so hard. As for the kids, my sis just went thru the terrible teenage years with her 2 daughters. I kept telling her not to Trust them. Doesn’t she remember when we were teens? Nope, she said that they have open communications and she trusts them. I told her that they are teens, and will pretend to be with their friends – but instead will be with their boyfriends. She said that they don’t have boyfriends. Needless to say, both girls got pregnant. Yep, they don’t have boyfriends…..I don’t know how to get them motivated. My sis struggled with her 2 teen girls and teen stepson. It was a very difficult time for her and hubby.

Oh my dysfunctional family....they drive me nuts. The courts finally took the guardianship away from my evil sibling and gave it to an agency. Now evil sibling is telling our mother that the agency will cost so much money (and I get to VISIT too!) and this evil sibling is confusing my mother. If only my mother knew how much it cost when evil sibling had her declared incompetent! It comes out of mother's money. So disgusting. For those of you who have evil control freaks in your family, who rip you away from your parent, hang in there. The truth comes through. It takes time.

Alabama~I am glad to hear things are working in your behalf being able to visit mom!!

Well, my friend L.in Maryland with the throwing up (dementia, stomach flu or alcohol?) problem is now in the hospital. No one called me but I had a feeling so I called the hospital to find out if she was there. Yup. Now, how do I find out what she is being treated for? My guess would be the treatment floor she is on would give a hint...I know she is in room 44XX at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD. Any suggestions? Dear me, I am so worried about her! Ykes.
Oh, there was a Senior Wellness fair near by on Saturday. Wow, amazing vendors and medical tests being done for free...I had the following: bone density, blood pressure, cholesteral, sugar (diabetes), stroke assessment, and I'm great in all areas except for my bone density. Ykes, I'm a -2.6 so that put me in the High category for breaking bones! But other than that, I'm in super health! Had a great time and left with a bundle of free stuff. Made me think it was a Senior's Trick or Treat! :). Thanks in advance. BonnieW

Bonnie~I am sorry your friend is in the hospital. Can you call her room or will she not talk with you? It must be frustrating.
Good news that your health is super! I laughed at Senior's Trick or Treat! I haven't had a bone density test done, still taking prempro so I assume I am protected, but I should take calcium too.
I hope you hear something from your friend soon. Take care!!

Dabs~How did it go with your brother and dr. appt? I hope he was able to see what you have been telling him about mom. Keep us posted!!

Momlife~It sounds like your plate is very full. Can you check any programs that you may qualify for or help with a job search in your area? Hang in there and take care of you!

Sharry-I am glad that worked out good-I would not want to be working in a store and have to keep under control. What happen to me while working this lady started screeming at another nurse and me something about the pt.s food tray and got ballistic and we both may have said bitch under our breathe and she heard and went off on us again-we talked to our manager and I told her in all honesty I do not know which one of us said it because of the crazy way sne was acting-and nothing came of it-and I am so glad your fellow workers stood up for you. Cmag I had to go through that also for disability-they said it could be done yearly and I had all the paperwork from when applying and just told them nothing had changed-not sure if the docs had to submit anything-and it never came up again.

Austin~I told the night manager I muttered under my breath "it must be nice" so I really thought I would be reprimanded, even written up or given days off without pay. Saturday the store manager had every opportunity to talk with me and he didn't. I hope this is the end of it.

Update: The neurologist called sis today leaving a message. She called back and he wants us to come in to go over everything. Sis called back and the receptionist was going to schedule the appt. for late April, but sis told her that mom's safety is an issue and her not eating regularly, so she scheduled it for 7:45am this Friday. If he has nothing conclusive to offer us, I am going to ask for an evaluation by a neruo-psychologist who can test her memory and cognitive abilities. I really don't think it will go that far but one does not know for sure with the laws we have that make it harder to diagnose incapacity. I don't know if I told you all, but the other day when I went to her house, she had TSP (trisodiumphosphate) in the fridge and an unidentified plastic bag of a flour type substance. Mom claimed she does not know how or who put it there. It is amazing that she always go back to someone else doing it. That part of her personality disorder regarding herself never doing anything wrong still hangs on, Lol!! My mom had coins that she got somewhere along the line and I remember taking her to Stockton to a pawn to sell many of them I know she was collecting all the new quarters of all the states minted in Philadelphia and Denver. I do not know what coins she actually has left, but she says someone took them all. I personally have no interest in coin collecting. I am more interested in things that she has that have family value such as a clock she promised to give me that is from her family. I love to collect paper certificates such as marriage licenses, birth certificates, that are family related. In other words, my interest in possessions my mother has, is in family related information. I will close with saying Hugs to all and I hope the week brings opportunities for You time, rest and some good moments that can be cherished!!

I am new to this thread, but wanted to report a Congressional Subcommittee on Violence and Gun Control that was called by a Member of the House who is a psychologist. I am an avid C-Span watcher (my daughter calls it Real Reality TV), and the session brought together three parents of mentally-ill children and at least ten top Mental Health experts. The Gun Control vs. Mental Health issue was the instigation of the meeting but this meeting was decades in coming and finally here. It was far more wide-ranging in its scope - much more about the gaps and pitfals in obtaining help for diagnosis and treatment, legal obstacles to keeping severely ill patients on their meds, the state of current brain research, and the need to look at mental health as we do other health conditions, including the call for screening by family physicans during the annual checkups. I have been waiting for this day. If you can, try to obtain the report or view the video. The meeting was televised on the 3/9/13 weekend, probably held the previous Friday.

Bonnie,

I'm kind of curious. How is it that you found out what hospital your friend is staying in? If you've written that her husband is very private about this matter, this is understandable. I realize you care, however I don't think a hospital is going to release this kind of information to you, for obvious legal reasons. Again, it's good to care for our friends, but it is a rather sticky situation when the friend is in denial, possibly the husband may be too. But have you thought of the fact that maybe they're trying to deal with this issue and just want some privacy?
Margeaux

CORRECTION to my last post: The title of the subcommittee meeting was "Mental Illness and Violence,"

Since this thread has so many facets, I want to be clear for the reason for my two recent posts -- I am addressing the mental illness aspect of dysfunctional families. Often there is one main controlling person in the family that needs help but doesn't obtain it, but this one person can adversely affect the entire family, especially the development of young children. I have seen it first hand and eventually I had to deal with all seven people in my life who were the primary mentally ill persons or those who suffered because they were in a family with them and severly affected by that. A change in how mental illness is served by the medical community is long overdue. From this hearing, I can see that all of the aspects of improving this are well-known. The framework is there in the Afordable Care Act. Now, lets see how these recommendations are implemented.