My Mom was diagnosed with CHF about 8 yrs ago. She is 77 and lives alone, as my father passed suddenly 2 years ago. She has been prone to winter depression, particularly since my father died, but refuses to discuss antidepressants. Lately, she cannot perform any basic lifestyle requirements, like letting her dogs out and in, feeding them, cooking her own dinner, etc. She cannot even walk without significant support. She is no longer eating properly, although her grief has caused her to lose over 30 pounds that she needed to lose for years. Sadly, she did not lose it in a healthy way. She never engaged in healthy activity (like exercise or careful diet), and chose instead to lay around and let me father wait on her. She has spent mh of the last 8 years in bed.
Alarmingly in the last 2 weeks, she cannot sleep and has developed significant bloating in the gut. Her doctor has ordered a creatinine test and I imagine her kidney function is poor.
I may be faced (as an only child) with forcing her to accept outside help and care.
I can't seem to get a concise answer on what to expect at the end stage of this condition. Will she likely develop a major organ failure and pass suddenly? Will she experience a slow painful passing for which I need to prepare? How do I know what to look for and what to "force" on her in terms of care. Like most elderly, she desperately want to remain home with her 2 dogs. I'd like to try to honor that if at all possible.