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Old Oct 13, 2018, 12:51 PM
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Daonnachd Daonnachd is offline
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Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Napa Valley
Posts: 2,116
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebicycle View Post
Sorry to hear that. My grandma was the same, although she had dementia. Not sure what your mom has, but you don't need to share if you don't want to. Just saying that my grandma had it.

She confused my whole family with different people. It was really hard to see. I didn't go to hospice to see her often because it broke my heart.

Please don't feel guilty if you don't want to go. If it'll hurt you more to go than it'll hurt you to stay, then that's something to consider. But I understand that people in hospice do want comfort even if they don't know you anymore, which is why it's always so stressful to stay or go. But someone in my family (my dad, sister, or mom) almost always went to see my grandma in hospice to give her comfort. So I didn't feel so guilty or stressed since we all took turns, even if I didn't go as often as they did. Taking turns really helped everyone cope with the stress.

You also don't have to stay very long if you don't want to. We would keep it to 20 mins or an hour to reduce stress. She got enough comfort even if it was only 20 mins. She enjoyed the presence of visitors even if she didn't know who we were or if she mixed us up. She just needed someone from outside hospice to let her know she wasn't alone. She didn't particularly care who it was, honestly.

Your mom might be different, but I just thought I'd share that with you. You can always have your kids go without you if you're too upset. Or ask your brother to go.

Edit: one more thing... Sometimes people get overwhelmed when too many people visit them at once. Not everyone is that way, but that's another thing you can consider if you want to take turns.
Well, she hasn't been diagnosed with dementia, but she never seems to know me. This doesn't seem to be the case with my three older siblings. It's like she's forgotten she had me. Naethelees, that's something I can cope with on my own terms.


You bring up good points. The value of a visit, even if short. The option of staggering the visits to reduce stress on her.


Actually, with the lung cancer and poor oxygen capacity conversations become coughing sessions so that will limit our time with her today.

I guess I just have to let it be what it will be.
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