Thank you all for sharing your thoughts with me on this. After reading these comments, I've decided to go by own instincts.

Yes Dotsie, my brother lives near Boston, and can't really judge the situation. Eagle Heart reminded me that the quality of life is more important than the length. If my mother feels stressed because I take some of her "freedom" away, maybe I should just accept that she needs this freedom more then the security. But Orchid's story made me think, so I'll do as Lola and Chatty suggested, and that is find her a companion that she likes, and little by little get her used to having someone there to help her along.

Mountain Ash, I never have read anything from the theorist Erikson. What a lot of wisdom in just a few words. I could relate to the fact that my Mom seems to be going back to adolescence with a strong dogmatism. Thanks so much for posting this.

If I could I would have her move in with us, but then my marriage would most likely end; yup…that same old problem. But I'm being realistic here; I think most marriages would not want an in-law living with them, so I guess we aren't any exception.

Now onward to finding a suitable companion. Knowing my Mom, she would love a man supporting her arm. Of course it helps if he has wide shoulders, a charming smile, and can make her laugh. She's still a young woman in an old body. It's hard to see this happening.
If I should find a couple of dozen of such male samples, I can forward them on to anyone else who is interested. ;-)