Only living child with elderly independent mother whose health is failing and I think is depressed. Will not talk to her doctor about this. Would like to know where to get personal support to see me through this. Any ideas would be welcome

the last person to admit depression is the patient.

so tell her straight up
you seem depressed to me how about seeing the doctor
they can do some thing for it

Hi licenza
I had my elderly father living with me and after the move from Napier to Auckland we went through all sorts of difficulties. Finding a doctor with whom they are happy with will help tremendously and if I remember correctly your loved one can be assessed to see if there is something being overlooked regarding their health or well being.They need company and interests of their own, and will talk to strangers better than they do to family.
I wish you both well and assure you that your concern guarantees a solution.

Thankyou for your replies. piersdad; No, I am not depressed, in fact have a full and very amazing life.
beegeeda; Thankyou for your good wishes. Mum has a good Dr., but because she does not think any thing is wrong will not talk about it. Have attempted to get an assessment when she was in hospital, but due to the way that she presents to the outside world, they did not think that she was depressed.
Why I was looking for a support group is that I work in the mental health sector, my friends also, so did not want to 'load' them too much as job is stressful enough. So am still looking.

PS
Piersdad;
When I told her straight up the reply was that I could take my profession and stick it some where rather nasty

hi there,licenza you dont say if your mum has had any medical problem ,so i assume she might need to get out more.would that be the case or not.
i have been looking after my aunt for 8 years and finally got her to a rest home ,there was no no im not going to a rest home,but things happened and thats where she went .and you know what...she is so happy there..we were all so sure she was going to stay in her own home forever..but it all became too much really for me to be there for her all the time and she did need round the clock keeping and eye on her.
do you go to the dr with her..ask him/her to have a word with her about it..you can ask him befor you visit to discuss it ,and if you are there with your mother,just listen let him do the talking ..sometimes when its coming from us its harder for our parent to take for some reason..does she have a good doctor who she feels she can talk to about other things