017 – Real Eldercare Stories: How Suzanne Cared for Her Mother Until Age 97

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks talks with Suzanne about caring for her mother during her last years of life, including navigating cognitive changes and shifts in needs that neither of them had anticipated. 

She covers:

• Real Eldercare Stories: Suzanne W.
• Suzanne’s caregiving situation when she joined Dr. K
• Suzanne’s earlier conversations with her mom
• What Suzanne’s mother had envisioned for her end of life
• Shifts in memory and care needs
• Challenges of accepting help
• Managing distance in caregiving
• The last year of life
• Trying to move her from independent living to more care
• The fall in her last year that changed everything
• Navigating a higher level of care after the fall
• How Suzanne’s mother died at age 97
• Surprises and insights from the caregiving experience
• Support systems and resources that helped Suzanne
• Managing uncertainties and planning ahead in eldercare