Caring for the Elderly

You just never know what is going to happen when caring for the elderly.

My mom broke both right leg bones at the ankle on February 10th.  With her injury, hospital stay, surgery, and need for rehab, Granny needed round the clock care from the ladies we used in the past. They were good with her, and we greatly appreciate them.

Over the last two weeks, Granny has seemed more confused in the evenings.  Our head caregiver called that "sundowning."  This last weekend, when she talked, she didn't really make sense, but she kept going.  She seemed to not be as interested in her daily puzzle in the paper or drinking as much coffee, but she still seemed OK.

At 11:33 pm,  Feb. 25th, I was awakened by a phone call with the head caregiver telling me Granny was unresponsive and the ambulance was on its way.  When I got there, I knew she was gone, but they couldn't officially tell me that yet.  They did CPR for at least 20 minutes and then transported her to the hospital, still doing CPR, but she never woke.  The lady we thought would outlive everyone, Granny, passed away in the wee hours of February 26, 2013.

She was an amazing lady, and she will be greatly missed.