Q: My mother was around 85 to 90 years old. She suffered from hemiplegia on her left side, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease; this was according to a medical report. She lived like this for more than a year; some of which she was at home and some of which she was in hospital, until she finally passed away. She also suffered from amnesia sometimes, and used to ask many repeated questions and ask about people who had died a long time ago, such as her brothers. I do not know if this was a result of her illness or senility. The point that I would like to clarify is that my mother was in the condition I have described during Ramadan of 1409 A.H.Was it obligatory upon her to observe Sawm (Fast) then? If it was, can any one or all of her children observe Sawm on her behalf? Or which one should do it for her, or should each one of them (Part No. 10; Page No. 168) take part? Are we obligated to pay Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on her behalf as an expiation for not observing Sawm? If so, what is the best way, from her personal wealth or from the wealth of her children? Please note that she had many children, both sons and daughters. If we have to pay Sadaqah on her behalf, how much do we have to give for every day of Ramadan, and what type of Sadaqah do we have to give, and how do we give it?