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Hello. Well my 94 year mother came out of the hospital after pneumonia and a urinary tract infection and into a nursing home for long term care. And after a few days in the nursing home they are recommending hospice! She is really in a bad way. Barely eats, dementia, can't hear well, stenosis, her oxygen is low, and blood pressure is low.

And the strange thing is the day she went into emergency for pneumonia, that afternoon I was visiting with her and she could carry on a conversation and walk, all very normal, just mild dementia!

I am the only family member and I feel like I've been run over by a tank several times. It's all very traumatic for me. I don't know what to do for my mother and how to handle the emotions. The nursing home is very good, highly rated. I wish she would pass on soon. I know she is suffering.

Can anybody give me some advice please?

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My advice would be to call in hospice care. They will not only help your mom, but also help you cope.

My mother went on hospice care in her nursing home after the hospital stated that she would not live a week. Three months later she "graduated" off hospice, and lived another 2 years.

I don't mean to give you false hope. I am trying to reassure you that hospice is not a death sentence. People die on their own timeline. Hospice won't make it happen sooner -- they will just help with the process the body is going through on its own.
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Bloom, in addition to Jeanne's great synopsis of why hospice would be beneficial, may I add the following. In my area, those on hospice have an aide for 2 hours a day; 5 days a week. This special attention should give your Mom extra help. I had my Mom's hospice aide come to the facility from 12 - 2. I typically visited in the morning and kept my Mom company. Then the aide would come and help my Mom through lunch and she would wheel my Mom around the facility and get different outside views. It was another set of eyes on Mom. In addition, the hospice nurse visited weekly and then more frequently as things declined. The spiritual director visited too. I felt like it gave my Mom more 'one on one' time with a variety of individuals. Most hospice workers are extremely kind and caring. They are saints!
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Thanks, she is in hospice now. And after the shock of them telling me she should be in hospice has worn off a little bit, I find it comforting that they are helping her and offering me support. But I gotta say, I am devastated that she is dying. Everyday I cry and grieve. I find myself crying and screaming in my car driving. It just overcomes me. I haven't visited her in a couple of days because its so hard to see her declining. It's killing me slowly. I have no family to help. My sister, whom I managed to locate and call, told me she doesn't care if mom dies, doesn't care about me and wants us out of her life, and a few other nasty things. So I said goodbye and all the best to her and hung up the phone. With moms dementia, I don't even know if she'll know me after awhile. She thinks her deceased husband is alive and points to a guy in the nursing home as her husband. Which I think is ok. Plus I find myself holding my emotions back when visiting as it is a public place. The emotions are so strong in me that they come out uncontrollably strong. I just weep and weep and weep, and scream when in the car. Hospice is going to give me support but I find it hard to express these feelings. I wonder if I should get some tranquilizers from my doctor to help. Thanks.
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Sorry to hear about your mother and the anticipatory grief that you are experiencing as she declines. I'm also sorry to hear how your sister is not dealing with this.

You probably could use something for your nerves so that you can talk about your feelings with the hospice support person. If not, you will end up turning these feelings inward which will drive you into a deep depression and you want to avoid that. If the support you get from Hospice is not enough, consider seeing a therapist to help you in your journey through this. You might not feel like it, but you will live through this. I will be praying for you.
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Your anticipatory grief is absolutely normal. There is nothing "wrong" with you, and you don't need to be "fixed." But talking about your feelings with a professional who understands may help you to better cherish whatever time your have left with your mother. Hospice offers a social worker and a chaplain. Would you be comfortable talking to either of those? Or ask for a referral to a therapist well-acquainted with anticipatory grief.

Both my mother and my husband had dementia and neither one ever lost their ability to recognize loved ones. Your mother might, or she might not. Each case is different. Dealing with the losses that exist each day is more than enough to cope with. Try not to borrow trouble that may or may not happen in the future.
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Bloom, thanks for the update. It IS all so VERY hard! I know this from almost an identical experience with my Mom! One thought to consider, some folks in my Mom's memory care facility were on (and off) hospice over a period of years! They would stabilize and come off of hospice and after months off have another decline, etc. None of us know the 'when' but there are many on this site who have experienced the benefits of hospice care. I felt it was such a help to my Mom (and 3 others who I signed into it). All we can do is to make our close ones comfortable and cared for. It sounds like you are doing a great job. Hugs to you and your Mom. Keep us posted.
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Thanks for the answers. Yes, it is so hard. I realized yesterday that part of it is the thought that my mother is connected to me and when she dies, I will die. So after I realized that, some of the fear and emotions disappeared. I was always taking care of her and I guess I thought my existence was tied up to her life. I realize that's not the case at all. But, its still hard to accept the fact that one minute she was fine, and then the next minute she went over the cliff with pneumonia and straight down from there. I have a difficult time thinking about that and accepting that fact.

Also, it's extremely difficult for me to visit her now. And hard to even walk into the Nursing home and try to keep my emotions level. Thanks for all your help!
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I want to thank everyone for their answers and support. My mom passed on March 15, 2017 at about 10:55pm. She was 94 year old, would have been 95 on March 27. I look forward to seeing her again when its my time. I am sort of numb about everything having been grieving for about a year when I first noticed her changing. It's been a very tough year. I've had it easier than many people. My mother went into the hospital on February 25, and from that day onward it was a steady decline. I am sad she is gone, happy that she is in the next world, and grateful she went fairly fast so as not to suffer too greatly. Again, thanks to everyone who has helped me.
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bloomschool,
So sorry for your loss. You seem to have all the right thoughts. It is so hard to see them suffer. She lived a very long life and you had a mother you were connected with and that is such a blessing. You will be okay. Time won't make it go away but the sadness will slowly lift and you will remember the good times. You need a long rest but don't stay too isolated. Get out and walk and breath. Get good sleep. Eat healthy. A big hug to you.
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I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. We are so connected to our parents it is so difficult to see them go. Yes it feels like a part of us has died with them, but with time you will find that you still carry her with you - through little things you do everyday. Physically she's not here, but now she's with you in spirit and you will never lose her. God Bless.
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Bloom, I am so sorry about the loss of your mom; be comforted by your happy memories and the knowledge that you did all good things for her.
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Bloomschool, I'm so sorry to read of your mother's sudden decline and passing.

Some people you talk to, uninformed people anyway, may find it strange that the death of a nearly 95 year old lady can come as a shock. But please do take extra care of yourself. Your mother's sudden decline, the extreme change from talking and smiling to being so ill, and your sister's adamant hostility, must have been a series of dreadful blows for you. You had no time to prepare yourself for any of it.

Grief counsellors are used to people who find it difficult to find words. Don't let that stop you reaching out for their help.
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Bloomschool try and be comforted by all the people near and far on this forum who are reaching out to support you at this sad time.
You are a strong woman and have already been able to face some struggles so rest now and and be thankful your mother is finally free of her own suffering. She will never leave you. Over time if you are receptive you will see small signs that she is watching over you. Blessings
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Thank you all so much. Today my friends and you all were supportive to me for which I am grateful. Today was hard emotionally, up and down. I do wish for one me hug from her and a chance to have one more talk. I do look forward to seeing signs from her. Yes, the hurt is so very deep, but I am grateful she didn't suffer as long as some people do, and grateful its all over.
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Bloomschool, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can relate to your feelings of rage and helplessness so closely. For some reason it would hit me in the car, too, maybe because in the car you're alone and you can just feel your feelings. My mom and dad are still living, but they are not well and it's so very hard to experience this, whether it's a short time or a long time. God bless you and may your mother's memory be a blessing. Big hugs.
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hospice can be a wonderful hel to you. Don't think that you have given up and she is passing away. It is obvious she needs more care than you humanily do. You are not superwoman with infinite physical and mental resources. It is a wonderful program. I have experienced their care numerous times... They not only offer help for your mom... But help for you.
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One thing that helped me as I worked through the grief when my dad passed, was my counselor suggested I journal. So, I wrote letters to my dad. Some people burn them in a ritual, some people tie them to balloons and let them go. I kept them for years before burning them. I hope you stay with the grief counseling for a year. Remember, the old adage, don't make any major decisions or changes unless you absolutely have to for a year or so. My heart goes out to you at this time.
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Bloomschool My heart is with you. I lost my mother on February 23 and in some ways my experience was similar to yours. Mom broke her hip, but had recovered enough to walk just holding hands. We expected to leave rehab in a week or so. Then the UTI hit and in five weeks I was taking her home and starting hospice. Three weeks later she passed. The grief will come in waves. Your hospice organization may have monthly grief support meetings that can help you not feel so alone in this experience.

I was mom's caregiver for four of her ten years of diagnosed Alzhiemers. My brothers were pretty non-existent the last three years. But I have received gentle pressure to get started on the rest of my life. I don't want to. I just want to be quiet and do what I want and feels right as the moments pass. You grieve the way you need to grieve. Take your time and make your needs the priority for now. Don't make any major life changing decisions. Let yourself cry or scream, you need to experience it and in time move through it.

My Aunt was in her eighties and her father had been gone over 40 years. But sometimes when she spoke of him she would still cry. The love and the loss is profound. It will never stop completely, but the pain of loss will eventually come less frequently. My heart is with you.
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((((((bloom)))))my deepest condolences on your bereavement. It is very easy to get lost in the loved one you are caring for. I am glad you realize you do have a separate life. Your grief is totally normal, but grief is not easy. The 6 "T's" of grief are Talk, Touch, Tears, Time, Trust AND Toil - toil being the work of grieving which is tiring.
I will add Take care of you at this difficult time. I am glad you have supportive friends . Blessings
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My husband went in hospice 8 months ago, after several hospitalizations. I believe hospitalization serves to further the decline. He has improved so much after taking him off meds and allowing his body to rest up from all the IVs, medications, middle of the night blood pressure checks, etc. there comes a time when sometimes it is better to turn it over to God. Please allow yourself to visit your mom. You both need it. I will never forget the shock the first time I heard the word hospice. But, this too shall pass and you will once again be able to forge that special bond. It may last a few weeks, a few months, a few years. Only God knows. Bless you for being there for her.
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Yes, I know how hard it is. You will want to get yourself a support system, grief counselors and MAYBE a low dose anti-anxiety med.
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