Wheelchair bound

Anonymousjpl123

Mom is in the wheelchair most days I come now. She did go to an activity last week with me and her best friend- making a pottery- so I know she still has some engagement which is great.

But most days, she is quiet. She rarely speaks during visits. Her speech is mostly sounds - although her intonation is quite clear sometimes! She doesn’t want to go outside. Treats are meh now, even chocolate, which breaks my heart. She has been on hospice for a year, it’s all to be expected, but it still hurts. She does smile occasionally and reaches out for my hand sometimes. She’s moving from stage 6 to stage 7 I think. I want to match her tone, but it’s hard. I don’t quite know what to do.

Anonymousjpl123

quick addendum: and just like that, I asked if she wanted coffee and her face lit up. As long as she is in the wheelchair I can take her downstairs and here we are, drinking coffee and perusing the Sunday paper. It’s almost normal again, for a moment. Grateful.

Emily 123

I'm so sorry. It's such a hard time. It's okay to just hold her hand and sit. She knows someone who loves her is close. It was a hard day for me when my mom stopped enjoying the coffee I'd make at home to bring in. That felt like a big loss. I bought some very basic children's level picture books (the series is by Sunny Street Books) and we'd look at those and old family photos.

caregiving daughter

Music often touches people in later stages. Could you play some of her favs in the background when you sit with her.