My mom is in a skilled nursing facility. Is this a typical end of life sign?

The OP has two almost identical threads going on.

Thecominglight,

If Mom is not on Hospice, I think its time. A Hospice Nurse can answer all your questions concerning what happens during transitioning. She/he should be available to you 24/7 by phone if you don't see him/her while visiting.

Not saying we on the forum can't or won't be there for you sometimes we just need some strength from others, but Hospice is not just there for Mom but for the family too. Even the facility Nurses can answer questions for you. My daughter is not a Hospice Nurse but I am sure after 20 yrs working in NHs she could have answered your questions. She examined my Mom and knew the end was near.

Hi Kathleen. Since you state in your profile that your mom is dying, it's quite possible she IS seeing beautiful butterflies and scenes of the afterlife while speaking with relatives who have passed previously. This is not an unheard of phenomenon, by any means, in fact hospice nurses have written many books on their patients end of life experiences. Here is a link to one of MANY such books:

https://www.amazon.com/Into-Arms-Angels-Candy-Kinser/dp/0979434041/ref=sr_1_5?crid=190LES8LHU4BT&keywords=Hospice+nurse+end+of+life+stories&qid=1669952185&sprefix=hospice+nurse+end+of+life+stories%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-5


Many people insist on attaching a "scientific" reason or medical name to what's going on with her due to macular degeneration, but fail to recognize the spiritual component of the death experience.

When my uncle John was close to death and had been comatose in bed for weeks, he suddenly sat bolt upright in bed one day and a broad grin split his face as he yelled MAMA! He raised his hands up to the ceiling to reach out to her, and passed shortly thereafter.

Speak to your mom's hospice nurse about what she's experiencing. I'm sure the nurse will enlighten you. Your mom won't be blind anymore once she enters into perfect peace, and she's having glimpses NOW as to what lies ahead!

Wishing you the best of luck. Sending you a hug and a prayer for peace.

Hallucinations for a blind person may be a blessing in disguise. Sounds like it’s bringing her peace.

It's probably Charles Bonnet syndrome from macular degeneration. It's hallucinations. They can be patterns. seeing people, animals, etc. If the hallucinations become bothersome, she can be given medication, generally gabapentin. My mom had had the syndrome for the last 7 years of her life.

thecominglight, both my sig-other and myself have the very beginning of macular degeneration. When we just wake up in the mornings, once in a while we will get those colorful patterns that last only for a couple of seconds, at this point in time.

Since I have been using lubricant eye-drops, I noticed I don't get many of those patterns.

One can be legally blind but still have some vision around the corner of their eyes with MD. My Mom was legally blind due to MD, but she was still able to cook dinner and do other things around the house with Dad's help.

There is a name for this - Charles Bonnet Syndrome. It's not related to end of life.

https://www.macularsociety.org/macular-disease/macular-conditions/charles-bonnet-syndrome/