Advice for a New Caregiver

As to finanaces, check with the hospital, the drug manufacturers, municipal/county/state/federal agencies for assistance. She may very well qualify for social security disability - even in the short term. There is also SSI and other resources. Your ear will be tired, but something will come of it. What about insurance? Does she not have any?

As I see it, far better to lose one's possessions than to lose one's life. Mortgage companies are used tobeing someewjhat flexible under medical emergencies, so give them a call.

As to recipes, it all depends, not on what she likes, but what now appeals to her and what she can keep down. Big difference. Go to allrecipes.com of recipes.com and browse around a little bit.

A lot of work for you, but it will pay off.  

Nothing to offer on the financial front, sorry.  But for your other questions, a few suggestions:

1) I, too, found the notion of painting (and coloring books) a bit silly. But then someone brought me some jigsaw puzzles and I found those so much more engaging.  They also had a couple of added benefits: a) physical activity, which is SO important. To work on a puzzle, I had to stand up, sit down, stand up, move around the table, sit down. Repeat.  Got me off the couching and moving.  b) they can serve equally well as a social activity with adults or children.

2) If she likes to read, your local public library is the first resource to make use of.  Free and may offer books in her first language. If they don't have them, they may be able to bring them in from an external source.  Audio books are another option.  Find free ones at https://librivox.org  I found audio-anything a huge relief as I was often too tired to focus on reading. If finances permit, an Audible.com subscription might be a nice gift, assuming she has a suitable device for using this servce.

3) Food: you may find that this is a moving target. I lived on Lean Cuisines for many months and ate things that I have never eaten before or since.  My husband would bring home a few at a time and I finally found a couple that were palatable. Not the least expensive food plan, but I was eating so little, these at least let me keep up my protein intake.  Bland was a general theme. Other foods that worked for me: canned peaches (no added sugar) with cottage cheese, cream cheese, mild cheese, avocados, Eggo waffles, ice cream. You may have to adjust depending on other issues that may arise; sore mouth, for example, means avoid salty things.

Wishing you the easiest possible course going forward.

Communicating with medical staff can be a serious issue. I have hearing impairment. That plus many of my medical contacts are ESL and very difficult for me to understand. This situation can be very dangerous. Many years ago I was hospitalized briefly in Africa after an accident. No English that I could understand! That experience was very frightening - more so than the actual accident. I was scared. I came out of that hospital with dysentary. For your Mom I would recommend staying with her when any medical decisions are being made. Also there are some really good translation programs for iPhones. My job required me to travel to many different locations so I was sent to an ESL course to learn to communicate effectively with people who are not native English speakers. With fewer than 200 words you can learn to say most anything. I am sure a reverse of that course is available online. Watch over your Mom carefully and don't agree to any procedures you do not fully understand. I am sure she will be fine. Best of luck to you!