Mom is Regressing

United States
July 9, 2022 1:39pm CST
For about a week we have noticed a significant decline in my mothers health. She sleeps most of the day. She starting to eat and drink very little. She’s only able to speak a few words. She nods her head for yes and shakes it back-and-forth if she says no. She has a sore on her backside and on the bottom of her heel. Neither one are healing well because of the fact that she is immobile, and not getting sufficient nutrition and fluids. This is due to her disease unfortunately and there’s nothing we can do about it. So after discussing it with my siblings we decided to place mom on hospice care. She is fortunate to be able to get the care while she is in the nursing home. It will give her more care than what the nurses are able to do during their busy schedule. Thankfully there will be extra help to help her with her feedings and to make sure she gets plenty to drink. They will also be there to read the Bible to her, watch television if she wishes, Or just hold her hand and talk with her. I am thankful for the service because I can’t spend all of my time at the nursing home with mom, although I would love to be able to do that. I have a seven-year-old to take care of. We do go up at least once a day usually at lunchtime to give her her meal. I don’t know how much longer my mother has on this earth. But however long she is here I will be there with her as much as I can.
16 people like this
17 responses
@LadyDuck (458689)
• Switzerland
10 Jul 22
I am so sorry for your Mom. My mother started to eat very little after she turned 90, but she was healthy and lived well until she had a stroke, she never recovered.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
@LadyDuck I always say it is hardest for the living to go on.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
We want to see them live forever. But Gid has other plans for them.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458689)
• Switzerland
13 Jul 22
@ElusiveButterfly - I did not want to see my Mom to continue to live, as she was left after the stroke. She broke my heart.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28861)
15 Jul 22
It's so hard to watch when our loved ones decline in mind or body, or both. That's good that you have Hospice, as this way she won't really be alone at all. It sounds like you and your family are doing everything you can for her to at least be comfortable. A very hard time for you all, I'm sorry.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jul 22
Thank you. We are trying to hold ourselves together. We will lean on each other when we need to. It is difficult for us to watch mom decline. Nature of the disease.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jul 22
@MarieCoyle having worked in healthcare I have seen patients with the disease. I believe it was preparing me for this.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28861)
15 Jul 22
@ElusiveButterfly Very hard on you all. It's human nature to want our loved ones with us always. The nature of the disease can be cruel at times, I wish it was different.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170271)
• United States
9 Jul 22
I am sorry to hear this. Does she have Alzheimers? I fear this may be in my dad's not too distant future.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
Mom does have Alzheimer’s. It’s been quite a journey. So glad that I can be with her through this.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170271)
• United States
13 Jul 22
@ElusiveButterfly Yes, me too.
1 person likes this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
13 Jul 22
I am sorry to know about your mom? How old she is? You took a good decision to place your mom in hospice care.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jul 22
My mom will be 83 in August.
1 person likes this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
14 Jul 22
@ElusiveButterfly hope she gets fine soon
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
9 Jul 22
I'm very sorry to know your mom's health is declining. It's good to spend as much time as you can with her now. I'm keeping you and her in my thoughts.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
I wish I could spend more time with her. But, I do have obligations as well.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
13 Jul 22
@ElusiveButterfly I understand and I'm sure she does, too.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jul 22
That is so nice that she will get more care with Hospice. I'm sorry she isn't doing well.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
It is something we knew we would need to eventually deal with. I’m glad we have these services available for her.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157646)
• United States
10 Jul 22
If I remember correctly she has Alzheimer's, right? Even going up daily is a lot, but I am glad you are able to do it and take the little one. Hospice is a fantastic service to give that little extra care.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
I may go up to see her today. We were going to the lake but our plans got snuffed. So we will go up after we go to the library. Yes your memory serves you right. She does have Alzheimer’s.
@BarBaraPrz (45544)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
10 Jul 22
It's hard, I know, but enjoy her while you still have her. One of the visiting nurses brought a piece of sheepskin to put under my mom's heels to keep them from getting sore. And I had a flocked rubber sheet under her that I could pull up on one side to get her to lie on the other side.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
The nurses change her position every so often to relieve the pressure on her backside. She is getting Tylenol for pain.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
9 Jul 22
I am so sorry to hear that--but hospice helps a lot--
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
Hospice is a great program. I trust this agency to do right with her.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57974)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Jul 22
It can be hard to watch someone's health decline. If she's starting to levelop pressure sores, then she'll need to be rotated. But, hospice will help with that, too.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
The hospice aide was there on Monday and was very attentive to her needs.
@JudyEv (326102)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jul 22
This is a tough time but it does sound as though your mother is slowly winding down. It's good you were able to get her into hospice care. Sending best wishes to you all.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
She is in the final stages. Saddens me that she is not going to be here much longer.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15747)
• Raurkela, India
10 Jul 22
Wishing your a mother a quick recovery from pains and sores. It's very difficult to manage a child and old patient together especially when the elderly person is bed ridden.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 22
We were told her sores would never heal. They are making her as comfortable as they can.
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
9 Jul 22
Meal replacement shakes were really helpful when I had loved ones in hospice or entering hospice.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
They try to give them to her, but as she declines she no longer wants to eat or drink.
10 Jul 22
What is her diagnosis?
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
She has Alzheimer’s.
@AmbiePam (85663)
• United States
9 Jul 22
Bless your heart. That sounds like my mom's last days when we called in hospice. I'll be praying for you guys.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jul 22
Thank you although I knew this day would come it’s still hard to think about.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111235)
• El Paso, Texas
9 Jul 22
I'm so sorry your mom is going through all that. Hopefully hospice will keep her a little happy.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jul 22
We just want her to be comfortable in her last days on earth. We can’t be there all the time to watch over her. I trust this company because I work with them and I know the hospice team.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48476)
• Canada
9 Jul 22
I am sorry that your mother seems to be fading before your eyes. It was just a little over a year ago that my own mother began that downward spiral. The 4 of us all took turns going and sitting with her as well as the palliative care worker. Its very hard on the family, I hope that your mother finds her peace soon.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 22
I know she is seeing loved ones in her room. She suddenly will look at a place in the room and stare. It is my belief that she sees my dear niece.
1 person likes this