caring at a distance - really struggling

Hi, I am new to this forum.
My mother in law passed away 18 months ago, she was in her 90s and housebound. Like you, we used to visit weekly (were still at work), take shopping, do the cleaning, etc. If she was still alive today, I am afraid that unless she told me not to, I would still continue to do that.
I would take all the precautions to ensure she did not get any nasties from me. If necessary I would change clothes when I went into her house, I would treat myself as 'suspect', I would have gloves and masks and would not go near her, but I would visit, do what she needed done, and spend an hour with her so that she didn't feel she was alone.
She would have been so desperately distressed if I didn't that I believe she would be willing to take the risk.
Everyone is different, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, this would have been my approach.

tidyskatemum Well, that was helpful, not. I think OP is looking for support and reassurance, not negative doom mongering with a political slant too. Shame.

So who are the strangers supporting your mum? How do you know they aren’t bringing Covid into her home? Our eternally over-optimistic PM (I’m being polite here) promised that carers, at least in care homes, would be tested regularly from July and it ain’t happened. Meanwhile the old and vulnerable deteriorate through lack of contact with their loved ones while “being kept safe” by people who may be at high risk of spreading Covid. In this situation I think I’d be very tempted to go on the sick and concentrate on mum.

Hi Jane, I completely understand. My mum was diagnosed with dementia aged 56 in Edinburgh, and I was 24 just starting my career in London. I found it so hard not being able to go and be with her all the time. But it sounds like you've found some great people to support her and that is all you can ask. I actually got so fed up with it I founded a home care company and we built an app so you can stay in touch with care when you're not there. At the moment only people we care for can use the app but I'm working on making it available to other families too so there are things being done to help but I know that doesn't help now. Do you have a live in carer with your mum? Is she or he sending you good updates? That might help. You are doing the right thing in protecting her even though I know it's so hard. Sending love and encouragement.

Yes I have to remember that, thank you.

I understand but by staying away you are caring and safeguarding her.

Thank you Tanith. My difficulty is that I want to go and care for her, and could go if it weren't for Covid. I want do do the support for her, but Covid is forcing me to let strangers do it, which I find really upsetting.

Similarly I had been supporting an elderly relative at distance for many years but had to stop my visits when my husband became ill. She went downhill did get some support from a local shop and a neighbour but eventually I had to alert her GP who arranged for SS to assess and support her. She wasn’t happy about it but there was nothing else to be done.
Could you speak to her GP and express your concerns. Good luck.