Dear Queenie,
My mother is almost 90 and she says it’s time for her to die. She won’t take a bath, tries not to eat, doesn’t want to have anyone visit her and tries not to talk to anyone. I have tried to get professional counselling for her but she refuses to go.
Queenie, I am trying to respect her and do things the way she wants but I don’t know what is right for her. What do you suggest?—Worried son
Dear Son,
You – and your brother(s) and/or sister(s) if you have any – should take your mother to a geriatrician (a doctor who specialises in the elderly) for evaluation. She apparently is depressed, but she may also have some physical problem that is also affecting her mentally. Then do whatever the doctor advises.
