schizophrenia

It may seem a little unusual to raise this topic; however, I’m getting pretty desperate for some suggestions. Someone in my immediate family suffers from the above mental disorder, and it appears she will need to be hospitalized again as she is becoming increasingly a danger to herself and to her environment. Of course I so badly want to help her; but, there are some days I just have no idea what to do, for example when she refuses to take her medication, or to receive assistance, and furthermore deliberately isolates herself completely from the rest of the world by refusing to see or talk to anyone. The Psychiatric doctors will not provide any assistance without her co-operation, and refuse to make any house calls. Unless she is certified as incompetent, there seems to be very little I can do when she’s refusing help. It’s not always this extreme; but there just does not seem to be enough opportunities for me to be able to arrange the professional support services she so badly needs.

Is there anyone here that has family or friends that have any mental disorders: specifically schizophrenia? Any of this sound familiar? If you have any ideas, tips, suggestions, anything at all, I would be very grateful. Thank you.