Have you thought about using the
Days Left Shrub from Simlogical? I had a similar problem of wanting to know when my elders were going to move on and found this in one of the threads here. I find it really useful. Just scroll down a bit and you'll find it. In game, it's in the bushes section in Build Mode.
EDIT: I just realised that someone already linked to this mod and it was, in fact, this thread I found it in... I don't know whether to laugh or faepalm
When a game is predictable, it's boring.
That goes for any medium that isn't life.
That's why The Sims 2 is my favourite sims game.
It has elements of unpredictability and everything feels more involved.
The Sims 4 is another story altogether...