Mother doesn’t want me to make her home safer for her.

Just do the things to make her home safer despite her protests. My parents balked when I asked to do the same. I did it anyway without saying a word.

No complaints from them and I know they're safer.

If your mother is mentally competent, you should respect her wishes as much as possible and not force thing on her. Would she agree to having a handrail or grab bars on the step downs if there isn't one there? It may be better for her to be moving around, even if it is difficult for her. Does she have a medical alert device to wear, in case she falls? Try to be prepared to help, as needed, if something happens. Keep suggesting things, but if she doesn't agree, don't insist.

Well, all kinds of Pros and Cons here .. What little I have to say will be my own experiences . I am living with a man with dementia, it is progressive, as his 24/7 Caregiver . It is the most difficult thing I have ever done . I was totally lost , dazed and confused with NO understanding of what was going on with him … I was angry and was treating him poorly. I started going to a caregivers meeting and it has saved my sanity . His brain is broken and he has Anosagnosia. In his reality , the one HE lives in , there is nothing wrong with him . My job is to keep him safe and comfortable. I also learned, thru the program , that as long as I am doing the best I can with what I have to work with no one can question me and tell me what to do in the situations that come up . If we don’t know If mom is having cognitive/ memory issues its really hard to “suggest “ what would be the correct thing for TwinkleToes to do . I hope there is paper work done in case there is a diagnosis. A POA is very important . It might be worth moving the TV and putting a table in the upper level and it can always be returned if it doesn’t work .. Prayers are with you . Search out a meeting, there is help out there. Check your local Council on Aging.

May question.