What to say to my mother?

Dear meallen,

I know its very hard sometimes. I don't think its only the elderly. I'm sure a lot of middle age people and others dealing with loss also have this question about life closing in on them. It is hard to know what will be comforting and helpful to say. Even with my own parents and grandmother, I sometimes found I didn't have the patience to even listen to their true feelings on the matter. I would try to validate her feeling and like the others have suggested then redirect her thoughts to happier ones if you can. Or ask her more questions like "why do you feel this way? Or what would like to do that will make you happy?" Maybe all they need is more conversation. I don't know your mom's exact age but I was reading about a lady at 89 years old that has a bucket list every year. She really inspired me.

Try redirecting her to all the wonderful things she has experienced in her lifetime. It works for my DH

My own mother was very dramatic and negative, especially after she moved to a nursing home. They have a lot of time to think there. In one of her increasingly less lucid moments one time, she said once, “When I look in the mirror, I don’t recognize myself any more.” She was delusional and had hallucinations and I think when she looked in a mirror she expected to see the glamorous stage actress she thought she was. I would validate her comment and thencould usually redirect the conversation, and maybe you could, too.