After a loved one passes away can you get their medical records from the nursing home and hospital?

They certainly can be obtained without charge by the patient themselves. They can I believe be obtained by others such as lawyers for a cost. i don't know if HIPPA still applies after the patient dies.
FF do you know the answer to that one?

I assume you would need to be named in the HIPAA forms while your Mother is still alive, if you aren't already. The HIPAA form lets the hospital and nursing home who is allowed to look at any medical records.