How can I go about finding someone to spend a hour or so afew days a week just to talk to my Mom?

I would look for a church who has a Stephen Ministries program which trains church members to be the kind of supportive visitors that you need.

If you don't have a church, call the Baptist one in your town - we are evangelical, which has to do with telling other people what we believe, which involves talking! Seriously, if you could offer to pay someone to drop in and visit, churches usually have great networks to draw from.

I would start at your church. There could be some retirees that wont mind spending time with her.

I'm a nurse for a home healthcare company and we have aides who do companionship but we have a 2-hour minimum. If you can find a company ask them if they have any older adults. We have a few seniors who work for us and they do companionship exclusively.

And I hate to bash on another healthcare agency but years ago when I got into private duty I interviewed for a nursing position with Visiting Angels. My interview went well, took about 1/2 hour and at the end of that time they wanted to send me to a client's home right then. That minute. They hadn't checked my references, checked my license, or conducted any background check. I turned the job down and was appalled that they would consider hiring me without vetting me first.

Good luck in your search. I'm confident that you'll find someone appropriate to visit with your mom.

Companies like Granny Nannies and Visiting Angels send people to houses for companionship. Some of these have high time requirements, like 20 hours a week minimum. But others will come to the house as little as you want, so even one hour a week is possible. Cost is about $18 an hour. You'll have to call each and talk to them about this.

Another idea is a local church. Some may have visiting senior programs where church members visit the homebound. And I've read about companies that will call seniors as companionship. Maybe asking your local Area Agency on Aging or Googling these will help you find something.