Greenway, your brother's wife is probably overwhelmed. This isn't the retirement they had planned so she is upset.
Depending on your brother's medical issues, maybe his wife doesn't want the family to see him in that condition. My Mom was in her 90's and when my Dad had a heart attack, my Mom refused to believe that had happened. She was from the old school where if someone's husband was quite sick, then the rumors would spread that the wife wasn't taking good care of her husband.
By chance does the wife need help for herself? I bet if someone asked her or told her they were coming to help her [if she would allow it], she might open up and confide what is going on. Or stop by with a plate of cookies or flowers. She could feel so very lost, and depressed. And is very afraid of her own aging being that she is alone.
Depending on your brother's medical issues, maybe his wife doesn't want the family to see him in that condition. My Mom was in her 90's and when my Dad had a heart attack, my Mom refused to believe that had happened. She was from the old school where if someone's husband was quite sick, then the rumors would spread that the wife wasn't taking good care of her husband.
By chance does the wife need help for herself? I bet if someone asked her or told her they were coming to help her [if she would allow it], she might open up and confide what is going on. Or stop by with a plate of cookies or flowers. She could feel so very lost, and depressed. And is very afraid of her own aging being that she is alone.