Hope to cope with the inevitable

[AnnaPWF]

My lovely mum is in her 80s with heart failure. We’ve always been close and I dread the day she’ll not be here. Is there anything I can do to help prepare myself? It’s something that worries me as I’ve no other family close by.

The only preparation is knowing you will cope, you may not know how right now but you will. Are you and your mum able to talk about it?

I’m not sure we can talk about it. Although we’ve got a great relationship, we are very different in that respect. I’ve hardly any family and I know I’ll feel lost when she’s gone.

It might be worth gently broaching the practical stuff, like funeral arrangements, where her will is stored, etc. Did you know her mother, your grandmother? That's a possible way of starting the conversation.