Thanks for the info re the dementia. It's certainly something we'll watch out for.
I'm not sure it's the same in each case, but with my FIL he definitely started to show signs of dementia (probably lack of oxygen to the brain). Is in-home health care help an option? My FIL did go to a nursing home for several weeks b/c family could not manage all of his care and he was safer in the nursing home.
Even the most simple task, ie, making the bed is exhausting to her. She still manages to make some meals, bathe, etc., but all with difficulty. I am her main caregiver, with the rest of my siblings are scattered across the country, and I need to know what to expect and when to call them to come home. We were hoping there would be signs to indicate that need, but I'm beginning to wonder if she will just not wake up one morning.
From what I understand it is very difficult to determine a life expectancy for someone in CHF. Our hearts are amazing organs that are able to compensate for many years.
I do know that when my father-in-law was in CHF toward the end of his life, he was forgetful, sometimes disoriented, short of breath and fatigued. However, he also had a dissected aorta so it may have contributed to his symptoms.
How is your mother feeling despite being more tired than usual? Is she still able to manage most of her daily care?