sorting out possessions
I just want to say I know how you are feeling trying to sort out your Mum's home. My sister and I had to do the same at her sheltered flat when my dear Mum went into a nursing home. We kept saying 'this is horrible but at least Mum's not dead' just to make ourselves feel better! Luckily a guy was moving in who had been homeless so we were able to give him most of Mum's furniture etc. but we were back and forth to the charity shops many times. The only thing I would say is - think carefully about what you are getting rid of - there are some things that I just wish I had kept, even if you just pack them away for now in the loft then you can think about it when you arn't so close to it all. Also, I always told my Mum that her flat was there for her, that I was doing the housework and keeping it tidy and Joy my sister was doing the gardening for her. My sis didn't agree with lying but I just knew that it gave her hope and happiness for those few seconds she could remember, why tell her the truth and give her that moment of pain. Also, dreadful though her last 4 years were (and they were horrendous) I tried to think that though she didn't remember the good things, she also didn't remember the bad things. She had mixed vascular dementia/alzheimers, no proper diagnosis ever made, worst thing was her calling 'help' or for 'Lin' - me - constantly, just heartbreaking. Sorry, have gone on, just all these memories coming back. Thinking of you all, chin up and try and take each day at a time.