She may need you to drive her to doctors' appointments and handle household chores, such as cleaning and mowing the lawn. Some adult children also balance a parent's checkbook and pay bills. Caregiving at home is obviously a challenge for an adult child, especially if you're faced with demands from your own children, spouse, and job. But it can work, especially if you tap into community resources. Local agencies will deliver free or low-cost meals to seniors, through programs such as Meals on Wheels usually a hot lunch each weekday, and sometimes a frozen meal or two for weekends.
Some elders go only once or twice a week.
Some include transportation. A number of churches and synagogues also provide free senior services. If you provide most of the care, it might cost nothing more than your time and energy. It will be more expensive if you hire through an agency than if you find someone on your own and negotiate a rate. Some advocacy groups for seniors are lobbying for direct stipends to families to help them care for their parents at home.