We're usually there, but helpless. When you watch somebody slipping, even into dangerous territory, you're left with a limited set of options. Unless the fami

We're usually there, but helpless. When you watch somebody slipping, even into dangerous territory, you're left with a limited set of options. Unless the family can prove "Imminent Danger to Self and others" or the person in question consents to treatment, we're just as helpless as the doctor here, even in concert with the person's care provider. So, much like the recent Michigan "poisoning" case (http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/07/man_accused_of_spraying_rat_po.html http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/07/man_ac...), you just have to watch until the person crosses a line where they can be legally held. And often, that's after somebody's hurt. I suspect that in many of these situations, particularly where a person has lost touch with reality, but not quite at the "I am the angel of death" level, the family is in the background and well aware, but simply out of legal options to help.