Geriatric Problems

About three weeks ago, on a Thursday, my mother started coughing. She had a physical scheduled for Monday. The doctor said that the symptoms seemmed like an allergy and suggested Allegra because the medicine would not interact with her other meds. I thought my dad would get her some, but he did not. The cough seems to be changing and I wonder if she has bronchitis. The constant coughing could be irritating her bronchii. I can hear her breathe when I am near and my sister said that my mother does not want to get out of bed in the morning. Also, she has no strength to walk. My sister called and asked if I could help my dad get my mother settled for the night tomorrow. When we were talking, she commented that my father thinks the lack of strength is from low iron, I think it is from her cough and my sister believes my mother is nearing the end of her life, that she is wearing out. It's anyone's guess as my mother is 88 years young. I did get her some Allegra, and I plan to go to the house in the morning. I am hoping that if I orient my mother, let her lie in bed for a half hour and then get her up, she will have more strength. I stopped after work, raised her chair, put cream on her elbow, turned on golf and chatted with her. Prior to my visit, both parents were napping. I am cleaning the kitchen and then heading over again. Such is the life when I have 90 year old parents. However, my sister-in-law commented, "I wish I had 90 year old parents." She still grieves the loss of her mother after many years.