Until it actually hits home; You cannot anticipate the heartbreak, helplesness, emotional
turmoil and loss felt with aging parents. My mother was always independant and resourceful;
Even after losing her husband and only daughter. She fell to a stroke last year and was placed
in assisted living six months ago. I live out of state and rely on my nephew and his wife to
keep me updated. He is the Legal Power of Attorney and executor of the estate. I felt
comfortable with my mother in assisted living. She had a good place to live and what appeared
to be adequate health care. Two weeks ago, she fell in the middle of the night and was sent
a local hospital for evaluation. Since then she has numerous medical problems. The list
includes: Pneumonia, Congestive Heart, Urionary Infection, Edema of the brain, Alzheimers and
Dementia and has been transferred four times to other medical facilities. I had never heard
of "Sundowners Syndrome", and got both barrels in a telephone conversatin to her, the night
before last. I have nerver known my mother to be so fearful and absolutly terrified! I am
having the most emotional feelings imagionable. Where can I turn to to deal with these
emotions. I am ashamed of myself for not recognizing what was happening. She does not deserve
this in her late years and feel helpless to do anything.