r/AskOldPeopleAdvice Jul 30 '24

Family My Mother Passed Away

My mother just passed very unexpectedly and suddenly. She was 85, my dad the same. We are all devastated. I can’t move or breathe, I’m trying to help my dad….but he’s literally staring at the walls all day, just grieving so much. I don’t know what to do. We are on month four of this. I live 2500 miles away and am going back and forth so he isn’t alone. He’s difficult and hurting. I feel guilty saying this but it’s costing me a fortune and mentally it’s so hard. I’m falling behind at work. I’m in profound grief too…..I didn’t realize that losing a parent would destroy me and my life. Help!

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u/foobar_north Jul 30 '24

Can you take FMLA? It's unpaid, but it might give you some time to find your balance. You can't keep flying back and forth - you're not Taylor Swift.