Hi Sally, I am going into hospital sometime in the next few months to have both knees replaces with three months between operations. Like spurslady's mum I am also in my 50s. I think it is very important that you can have her come home to yours after her surgery but I hope that you live close enough for her to be able to attend her physio. That is really important. You might want to go onto this website
http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/index.html . It will give you all the info on this operation and how patients cope with it, what precautions need to be taken etc. I wish your mum every success with her op and a good recovery. It is great you are prepared to look after her.