My mother (87) lives in her own apartment. I would like to get her on a list for help and also for an alert button.

You can contact your local Agency on Aging and see what is available. As for getting help in caregiving, chances are your Mom would need to qualify for Medicaid. Depending on what programs are available in her State, she could have someone pop in for a few hours per week.

As for an alert button, you would need to search the Internet to see what is available. Usually the alert button and call box are free, but there would be a monthly service charge. Unless you can find a service that is free.