Her days consist of watching TV. We took her on vacation with us once, but she wanted to stay in the hotel and watch TV. She rarely sees friends or goes out.

We have suggested she might be depressed or lonely, but she scoffs, saying she likes spending time alone. We have suggested activities with a senior center, her church, etc., and she declines, stating she doesn’t want to hang around old people.

A letter writer worries about their widowed mom who prefers to stay indoors and watch TV.

We have suggested activities with a senior center, her church, etc., and she declines, stating she doesn’t want to hang around old people.

Keep the lines of communication open and listen to what she’s telling you. Dear Eric: I have two nephews who were recently married. My adult children were invited to the events, but my husband and I were not,

Maybe TV is her hobby and that’s just fine. Our worlds change as we change. If your mother isn’t expressing discontentment, you have to take her at her word. The last thing you want to do is undermine her autonomy by telling her how she feels.

But I’m worried about her mental health. Her world has gotten so incredibly small. Maybe I want to feel off the hook somehow because I do feel guilty that I can’t entertain her more. At some point, do I have to accept that this is the life she has chosen for herself?