It’s been a bit more challenging, my Mother had a collapsed vertebrae, recently had it filled with some sort of cement to relieve the pain, a few fractured ribs, it she hasn’t fallen.

My mom is in long term care in Canada. I was informed today that she took a turn for the worse and is dying. Hours maybe a day or two. Trying to get a flight to get to see her one last time. Make sure you tell them everything you want to say while you can..........

Prayers for you and your family.

My best to you and your mom.

I held my mom as she passed away at home this morning. We had the fortune to have my mom live with us for 8 months this past year. She had moved back with my dad after we found a pair of live-in caregivers. But she really took a turn for the worse last weekend. However, during those 8 months, I couldn't have done it without my wife, who's a saint. Ironic, as she's Jewish, but a saint nonetheless.

Off topic, but one piece of advice to younguns': You'd do well to marry a nurse or schoolteacher. They have hearts of gold.

I hope you see her in time.
I’m so sorry. My condolences.

My prayers to you both..
Mom's..
miss her so much..

Rika

Sorry to hear about your mom's passing. Never an easy thing.

OT... did that going on 30 years ago. In another year my youngest will be newest member in a long line of nurses on my wife's side of the family.

:(

I am so sorry to hear this, my friend. You are so right about telling them everything you need to while you can. And that goes for everyone - not just those in their golden years. I hope you both find peace in this difficult time.

I am so sorry for your loss, Rick. But appreciate you were there for her...mad respect, sir....and to your wife as well.

In our case, I had a caregiver who helped with things and she was at the top of the list I read at Mom's funeral proceeding. Afterwards she told me she appreciated me mentioning her. Well....she earned it, let me tell you.

This endeavour is one of the hardest ever faced. No one can do it alone.

God's peace to you and yours, my brother......

Have a living will and end of life care, leave it in the parents fridge and the let emergency medical personnel know. (If they want to live at home)

My condolences to Noah930, and Cdnone1 I hope you get there in time.
My mother's 92nd birthday is the 7th and I'm hoping she makes it. She is extremely weak, but while she has occasional anxiety from her dementia, she is comfortable. The aids at the assisted living and Hospice people take good care of her. She has no short term memory outside of a vague knowledge that I will visit her every day, and this seems to keep her going. Every visit could be the last time.
When my father passed at 79 it was difficult. He was fortunate that my mother was a nurse, running the nursing department in the operating room. He had a few issues when he hit his 60's. He had a double knee replacement, prostate and colon cancer which all were treated successfully. Parkinson's is the one that could not be beat. My mother retired from the hospital and was there every day making sure he had the best doctors and treatments towards the end. What made it really difficult was her suffering from a brain aneurysm during this, but fortunately made it to one of the best hospitals in time. I took off from work and hired someone to help while my sister spent every day with mom till she was released. She made a full recovery and was just as stubborn as ever afterward. It is hereditary, my grandfather passed at 52 while visiting us when I was 4. The doctor sent my brother sisters and I for MRA's and we all cleared. It does not skip a generation which is good to know.
When his Parkinson's was affecting him most I would stop at the house 3-5 days a week after work to help. The worst parts were the loss of his ability to move and the delusions he suffered from the many drugs he took daily. He spent his days filled with anxiety and fear. I miss him, but was grateful his suffering was over.

Thank you for the words of condolence. I don't know if it's a good thing or bad to watch your loved one literally take their last breath. It's painful to watch. But I think it's relief that I feel most now. Not personal relief from the caretaking duties, but rather the knowledge that my mom is no longer trapped by her failed physical body.

I worry about my dad, who now lives aline in a big house. He refuses to move from his castle on the hill, though.

Thanks for all the words of condolence as well. I didn't make it in time. Living in another country I have been saying my final goodbyes to mom every time I have seen her for the last several years.
She lived a long wonderful life and I am glad she is no longer suffering. After 64 years of marriage my 93 year old dad is having a rough time.

I think it's normal to feel conflicted about your feelings. Relieved they are now out of pain & suffering.....and in many cases no longer enduring a non-quality of life situation.

But saddened to lose someone you love so much.

Bittersweet sums it up, for me.

Celebrate what a great life they had. The adventures they went on. All the time you spent together. The love you shared.

Now go on and live your life as they would have wanted. Proud of them....keeping them in your heart....but making every day of your life count. Make them proud of you and your integrity. That's the legacy you can leave for them.....

Prayers and love to all affected......you're not alone.....

When my mom was going through her struggles, I struggled a lot with anxiety. When she passed I could feel almost a weight lifted from me and the anxiety was gone. I view that relief you feel as her last gift to you.

I fully get your concerns over your dad as well. Something we did with my dad was to have him text "good morning" to me and my siblings in a group message every morning. This way we knew he was okay.

Hoo boy. Trying to teach my dad to text is gonna be maddening. Where's that emoji of the smilie face banging his head against the brick wall?

"hey Siri" can be a wonderful thing. :D Just name the group "kids" and all he has to do is say "hey siri, text the kids good morning"

Now my M.I.L? She texts in hieroglyphics. My wife and her older sister always have to call her and ask "what do you need mom?"

She made it to her 92nd birthday, but Mom passed on 02/06/2025. She went peacefully with no pain, which is all I could ask for. The call came at 11:50pm when the nurse came to check on her. My wife and I contacted the Hospice nurse and went up. The Hospice nurse came about 1:30am and made her passing official.
I have a developmentally disabled younger sister whose life revolved around her. My wife and I would take the 2 of them for dinner almost every Sunday till it became physically too much for them. After that I would bring my sister to visit mom 2 times a week, trying to prepare her for what was coming. The day mom passed I had a feeling and had brought my sister to visit, letting her know this might be the last time she would be able to hold her hand and tell mom she loved her.
She had a good life and will now spend eternity with dad again.

Thanks for sharing, Ed. And sincerest condolences. 92 years is more than most could ever expect and obviously having a loving and caring son like you really helped her heart in her golden years.

There's not enough words to adequately describe how helpful Hospice is in these situations. I'm so glad they were there for you and your family.

I'm praying for you and your family, my friend.

Condolences to you and your sister, Ed. How is your sister doing?