This is a very difficult and personal decision. Most importantly, if you are concerned for your mother's safety (is she unstable on her feet, forgetting to take medicines, leaving spoiled food in the refrigerator, wearing soiled clothes or using unclean linens, or worse, falling?), it is time to seek assistance. Is she is fearful or more forgetful? Has she recently lost a lifetime partner? And when she is no longer able to drive after spending a lifetime driving, she will suddenly have a much smaller, lonelier world. Bringing in caregiver support even a couple of days a week will help with these issues and ease the transition from independence to professional support to continue her independent lifestyle.
