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Worried About Mom's Memory and Health After Sepsis: How Can I Help?

Kanchan Rai |502 Answers |Ask -Follow

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 30, 2024

Kanchan Rai has 10 years of experience in therapy, nurturing soft skills and leadership coaching. She is the founder of the Let Us Talk Foundation, which offers mindfulness workshops to help people stay emotionally and mentally healthy.
Rai has a degree in leadership development and customer centricity from Harvard Business School, Boston. She is an internationally certified coach from the International Coaching Federation, a global organisation in professional coaching.... more

Question by Gilb on Dec 30, 2024Hindi

Dear Gurus, My mother had very serious illness and got a severe pneumonia and it worsened to sepsis and was in hospital for a month . She had to be resuscitated two times on first day due to cardiac arrest. Even her oxygen level had dropped to 68 and doctors said it’s a miracle she survived . She has since come home but it is unable to walk very much and even short distance she uses walker.. she hardly eats any food and is full after 2 spoons .its now close to 2 months since she has come home. She is very sad and has forgotten a lot of her older memories . She doesn’t even remember many of her friends and neighbors.She is 74 years old and I am not sure how to make her feel better and cheerful

Ans: Dear Gilb,
To help her feel better, focus on creating a nurturing and positive environment at home. Encourage small, joyful interactions that don’t overwhelm her. Play soothing music, share gentle and uplifting stories, or look through old photos that might help stimulate her memory and bring a smile to her face. If she enjoys any particular activity, such as listening to certain songs, watching a favorite show, or hearing comforting prayers or chants, make those part of her routine.

Her appetite may take time to return, but you can offer small portions of nutrient-rich and easy-to-digest foods to provide her with energy. Sipping warm soups or having smoothies might be more appealing than larger meals. Keep her hydrated and consult her doctor about supplements or appetite stimulants if needed.

For her physical activity, gently encourage her to take small steps or do seated exercises to regain strength, even if it’s just sitting and moving her arms. Celebrate her progress, however small, and let her know how proud you are of her efforts.

Emotionally, your presence and reassurance are invaluable. Speak with her kindly and patiently, letting her know that she’s loved and supported. Spend quality time with her without focusing on what she can’t do. If she seems sad, validate her feelings, but gently remind her of the progress she’s made and the joy she brings to your life. If her sadness persists, consider seeking professional help from a counselor or therapist who specializes in geriatric care.

Your care and love can make a profound difference in her journey toward healing. Be kind to yourself as well, and know that it’s okay to seek support for your own emotional well-being during this time. You’re doing your best, and that love is a gift to her.