How can I still have an active life, when I am 100% responsible for my mother's care?

So many of us have or have been in your shoes.

The short answer is that it’s damn near impossible to have your own life and travel if you are the sole caregiver.

I support the suggestion of seeing if she qualifies for Medicaid.

Do not feel guilty about wanting or needing time for yourself. You are equally as important. Pushing ourselves too far is a recipe for burnout.

I sincerely hope that you find a solution soon. Look into as many options that may be possible for needed breaks until Medicaid is set into place.

Contact Council on Aging in your area for advice and possible help.

Did you want to retire? Was it a deliberate choice, or just a routine age-related thing?

If she has very little money, and has not given it away, she should qualify for Medicaid.   Go to local county agency for the agency and see what they say is available.  Many states will provide for some home care.  If your mom or dad was a vet, and she has minimal money, she can qualify for VA benefits that can help pay for someone.

Your profile indicates she lives with you but doesn't indicate whether or not she's mobile.  Is she?    Can she walk, go for car rides?    If she is mobile, travel with her, just around the neighborhood, to places of interest...and now or at least soon for color tours.    I took my father around various areas, some we hadn't seen before, some we used to visit, for color tours, and around neighborhoods at Christmas to see the displays.  Then we'd come home and have hot chocolate.   They were welcome outings for both of us.

Does your mother have friends who can visit, once quarantining is past?   If so, create a social life with them, for your mother.   What are her interests?   Can you work on projects with her?    Does she enjoy reading, music, or other activity in which you both can participate, and perhaps discuss later?

If she still has mobility, consider watching the Dance for Parkinson's Disease programs which are created to provide safe and easy to accomplish movement for seniors, either standing or sitting.    There are videos that can be watched as well.

Bring her into the kitchen when you cook, discuss whatever interests either of you.   Make her a part of your activities, even if you are compromising now.  

Tell us her interests, what she can still do and it'll be easier to make suggestions.

It may not be ideal for you, but she will appreciate it, as will you years from now and you think back on what you could have done.

You are in the position a number of members of this forum are in. If you take on caregiving responsibilities you also give up much of your autonomy. How much care does your mother need? How much care are you providing? what happens if you don't provide care? Does she need just general assistance - getting to grocery, social visits, a bit of tidying up - or does she need assistance with ADL's or actual nursing care? How many family members are their who can provide any assistance and do they live nearby? How many hours or days of assistance are you providing each week? Does she live with you or you with her? These are the kinds of questions that make a big difference in the advice you'll be given.