Mom is suffering from heart failure and in a residential care facility being very carefully cared for, and has oxygen. Her physical situation is stable and she is comfortable. She has been known as a positive, assertive individual throughout her life, and says that she has never suffered from depression. Now, she says she can't be alone, and can't deal with her situation and is fearful. She will begin taking lorazepam soon. Her sister in law has just been with her throughout this afternoon, I was with her all day on the previous day, and she has just asked me when I'll be returning and that she misses me so much. She also has good friends and extended family. I live three hours away and am working full time. She keeps apologising that she is placing pressure on me. I don't know how best to support her, and am constantly fighting the dreaded guilt whenever I try to set boundaries. I'd love to hear what you think.
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You should call her doctor and ask for an appointment for a psych diagnosis.
One of the geriatric psychiatrists explained to me that it was important for mom to be on a regularly scheduled bery low dose of anti-anxiety anxiety meds. For one thing, it eased her fear that she was becoming addicted.
Lafter, a different geriatric psychiatrist added a low dose of an antidepressant..
Geriatric psychiatrists are mostly pretty good at getting to the reality of how patients are feeling. Good luck.
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Why is there a delay in starting the anti anxiety meds?
Palliative care nurse identified need for meds and needed to talk to MD, it will be given on a when needed basis first of all. But think that mom is only being open about her feelings to myself and her SIL, and not to care workers.