It has to be sad and lonely. Also scary. When my mom was in the independent living apartment they had 4-5 residents each month who ended up in the hospital and with died or went to assisted living. It was sad to see all of her neighbors gone.

Well just the way it is. Nothing you can do about it except to share fond memories. Maybe cry a bit together.

I'm not sure what's worse...losing one's friends to age or to fear of some sort, I'm guessing, as my parents lost all of their long-time "friends" when first my mother and then my father, too, got ill. Either way, it's very sad. May we all have one or two friends, though, who'll be part of our lives for the duration of our lives...

My father is blessed in a way that he can't remember anything. Very hard on my very healthy 94 year old Mom hearing about her friends passing. She had a lot of friends where she lived before she had to move in with us. One of them is a very caring person who is a bit of a funeral addict who also loves to report every injury and illness.

She writes mom a long letter every week and there is usually an obit in it.

My mom takes a lot of comfort from my little cat who has now become HER cat.

Maybe ur mom would benefit from some pet therapy.

My grandmother was 101 when she passed away. She was the youngest of 17 children. She over her lifetime witnessed all of her siblings, parents, 2 of her own children and 1 grandchild as well as nieces, nephews, friends etc. pass away before her. It's a fact of life when someone lives to these ages.

You're right, it's hard to watch someone you love loose people they care about.

Is your mom expressing her pain to you? It might be that she is used to this by now. Not to diminish her losses, but I've noticed that older people seem to deal with death (other than the loss of a spouse) better than us 60 year old kids.

Keep mom up to date about new and current family members. Not that they can replace the ones she has lost, but it allows her to be part of the beginning of life rather than focusing on the end of life.

Gentle hugs

My mom is in independent living and there are deaths weekly....she has lost several friends in the past 2 years. It depresses her and she often complains that she feels like she is living in "God's waiting room".
Her neighbor across the hall from her is 92 years old and her son and 3rd child dropped over dead with a heart attack a few weeks ago. So her husband and all 3 children have passed away.....altho she says that she still has her grand children which visit her often. However, she has expressed to me that she doesn't understand how her 3 children could pass at such a young age while she is still here at 92.
I run a grief group at this establishment and it seems to be a common theme of dealing with the losses and being the only one left behind.
I am trying to help them see their importance of living differently, but still being valuable to the community.
I love the independent facilities as it gives ppl the chance to mingle and continue making new friends and new adventures....so many activities and outtings :)
I just met a woman at my moms facility who is 103. When she told me her age, I almost fell over. She is stunning (still dresses up, wears make up like a model, and is still of sound mind) and I would have only guessed her to be in her early 80's. She is very positive and easy going. All I can say is WOW!
I know that is not the norm for most ppl as they age and lose everyone around them.
I think it's depressing for elderly ppl as it hits close to home with their own mortality.

thx for all the replies,we went thru some ph otos this was helpful,as far as pets we have a houseful,helpful also.I love my s weet mom..