Mom had heart surgery 2 years ago, replaced valve, corrected ascending aneurysm, and has COPD. She has been in and out of the hospital, and rehab centers for the past two years. I'm the only caregiver, work full time, but always make time for mom and her dog, I go shopping with her, accompany to doctor appointments, clean her house, cut her grass, plant her garden and flowers, but I enjoy helping her. Went on vacation this past week (first vacation in 9 years). My daughter came and stayed at my house to watch over my dogs and keep an eye on grandma. I got home Saturday evening, daughter went home the next day. Went to cut my mom's grass and take her grocery shopping and all she did was analyze my daughter and what she is doing wrong for over two hours. Finally had enough and said stop complaining. That was it, she sped away on the carts the store provides for handicapped. Now she is mad and pouting.
If the complaints were about her care, maybe, she was just venting. We all need to vent sometimes. Does she have any other outlet than you? My mom gets frustrated easily whenever I ask her a question. She's always been that way. I have no idea why. lol I just try not to ask her many questions?
Part of the protocol where my husband had his open heart surgery was being put on antidepressant meds. He's still on them, and has had an additional one added. Apparently, most folks who have open heart end up with depression.
Also, the anesthesia for that surgery is brutal and often uncovers undiagnosed dementia. Has she been evaluated for depression, dementia, etc? A good geriatric psychiatrist might be a good next step.