My 92 year old mom has mild dementia and I help her with bills, groceries, Dr. visits, housework etc. We share her home so she can continue to live as independently as possible. I am going out of town for two nights in September and I need to somehow get her to accept the fact that she cannot stay home alone during that time.
A person is going to stay over for the two days you're away.
Or
She can go to respite care in a nursing home for those two days.
I'm pretty confident she'll choose the first option.
You may not ever be able to “accept the fact”.
YOU need to accept the fact that you have made the necessary and compassionate choice, based on her safety, that she have someone stay with her.
As gladimhere has suggested, introduce the caregiver early.
You are not responsible for your mother’s “opinion” of this arrangement. You are responsible for her safety.
Do you fear that she will send her home? I know someone that tried to send a caregiver home on a daily basis. The family instructed the caregiver to ignore it. They managed. Knowledgeable caregivers know how to deal with this situation. They do it all of the time.
Best wishes to you. Go on your trip. Your mom will manage in someone else’s care. You realize that she can’t be alone and are a wonderful daughter by scheduling additional help. If this goes well, you may want to schedule the caregiver on a weekly basis, so you can take some time away, to get rest and time for yourself.