My mother has no retirement plan. How can I best help?

Losing a job is traumatic for anyone, and perhaps more so for someone of a retirement age. Trying to find another job might only bring discouragement, as often people in the work force sometimes feel that we older people should move on and let the younger workers have the jobs. And there's also the perception that older people can't adjust as easily to a technological intensive environment.

I would give your mother some space to get used to her new situation. Just drop the issue unless she raises it. Find other ways to spend time together, even if it's just for a lunch or dinner...just mother and daughter time.

In the meantime, list what you think are all her bills and financial obligations and decide if there's any way you can help with them. In addition, if FL has an elder law agency or state or local agency for elders, contact them to find out what services they offer, and what benefits might be available to her - i.e., protection against electrical shutoff, food benefits, etc.

You might be able to get similar information at a local senior center.

She has medicare but I am not sure about Social Security. The problem is I can't her to talk about anything. I need guidance on how to gently begin the conversation and they help on identifying the key things I need to know about her finances/income.

Curious, does your Mom get Social Security and Medicare, if she lives in the States?