answer:First, eferrara, let me offer my high respect and admiration for caring enough about your mom’s well-being that you are seeking whatever avenues (including this site) which you can use to collect advice. Maybe you can ask your mom if it would be alright if you and she can set aside an hour a week to discuss “things in general”, and how she feels about everything that has happened in her life. As she starts to become comfortable with opening-up with her thoughts and feelings, she might be open to seeing someone on a professional level. It sounds like your mom can be helped in only very small steps, and you might be the one person who cares enough to put those steps in motion. Finally, let me say that your mother is extraordinarily fortunate to have a daughter like you….