Insurance for my Mom

I'd look into this...I always see "dependent" care options from hubbies work...if nothing else there is a dependent care spending account option. I think that is made specifically for helping an elderly relative - at least it would be tax free! (I think...)

Do NOT let her sign up for Humana Gold.   There are a lot of medicare knock offs out there right now.  They litterally wine and dine these people and sell thema  bill of goods. The BEST thing if she can afford it is to keep medicare and get a supplement to cover the 20% medicare doesn't cover.  She may be leligble for medicaid.  If she decides to go with a medicare knock off (They take her medicare benefits in return for insuring her) be VERY VERY careful.  Be SURE she can keep her doctors and know where she can or cannot go for care.  READ THE FINE PRINT.  Do NOT beleive the sales people they LIE.  They can make her drive 60-90 miles to see someone  "on their plan" or she is paying out of pocket.  I hate insurance companies

Yes look into medicare supplement insurance for her. There are some options that are zero premium and provide a decent amount of extra coverage.

As far as the life insurance that is most likely going to be prohibitively expensive at this point. 72 and smoking for 60 years is not a great combo for life insurance. There are however things called final expense policies that might fit your/her need. These usually require little to no medical evaluation to qualify for, obviously depends on what you are looking for but might work for you. Here is an example of such a program.

 http://www.unitedheritage.com/final_expense.shtml