I'm her only child. She is in deep depression. Help.The stroke affected her vision (blurry, distorted). Some loss of short term working memory, but mostly okay. She hates it here. How do I help her?
Change is difficult for all of us but especially for seniors. Consider her life before the stroke and relocation. You may attempt to replicate some of her old life. Was she social? Try to find a senior 'day care' that may provide some of the socialization. Was music part of her life? Attempt to find music programs. This may include everything from local house of worship events (often free or free will offerings) to school programs to symphony events. Did she have good friends? Try to help her find some new ones. My church will send a volunteer to someone like your Mom for an hour a week at no charge. Other groups will do something similar. Can she benefit from Occupational or physical therapy? That may help her through the 'visit' and the therapy. And there is a 'low vision' help group in my area, do a search for yours. How about a pet? Are there grandchildren or great grandchildren? They usually pop folks out of depression. Finally, how abut some therapy with a counselor? There are some that will make house calls if that is an issue. Your Mom's life has changed significantly, I hope these ideas trigger some of your own.
Did she go to rehab after the stroke? what is her prognosis for her vision?
Does she hate where she is, or does she hate her limitations? Depending upon her cognitive capacity, antidepressant therapy alone or with CBT may help, have you looked into that? (Cognitive Behavior Therapy)
Well, we did that. Moved Grandma from IL. to AZ. and it was devastating for her. After about 7 days, she was bonkers (to put it mildly.) Not eating and saying we were trying to poison her. The move was just too much for her. So, her son bought 1st class tickets and flew her back to IL, to a nursing home - where she lived happily ever after.
My mother lived in an independent living facility near her home due to panic, anxiety and mild cognitive decline. She had a stroke and after hospital and acute rehab, we moved her to subacute rehab closer to where my brother lives (shout 5 miles, same climate, same kind of suburbs). She developed vascular dementia, broke her hip and is now in a nursing home. Meds helped tremendously with the agitation and anxiety.
Does she hate where she is, or does she hate her limitations? Depending upon her cognitive capacity, antidepressant therapy alone or with CBT may help, have you looked into that? (Cognitive Behavior Therapy)
I would never move someone, again.