Doctor referral to SS

If she has capacity, social services will offer an assessment of her needs and (with her consent) make suggestions about how best she can retain her independence.

She doesn’t need to ‘convince them of capacity’. The law requires an assumption that people have capacity unless there is reasonable evidence to to contrary.

The GP should do it herself/himself. If they don't, you can - ring Emergency Adult Protection (find number on council website) and a very nice social worker will get back to you. SW then visits DM at home.

There is a risk here - if DM convinces the SW that she is sane and refuses help, there's 0 anyone can do - including Social Services.

Except wait until the inevitable crisis, which is what a lot of families end up doing. Usually the person falls and ends up in hospital, where NHS can't let them out without doing a care assessment.

If the intervention works, however, SS arrange for carers etc to help DM. DM usually has to pay for this.

Has she been seen by her g.p now, do you know why the dr thinks she cannot manage, is it her physical frailty ., the Dr can only refer her to s.s with her permission unless the dr has decided that she does not have the mental capacity to make her own decisions. If the dr has made the referral they will contact your dm to make an appointment to come and see her, to see what help she needs or would accept. If she does accept help they may arrange for a therapist or member of the elderly community team to visit her, provide equipment, made small home adaptations.

What help do you think she needs. Do you have power of attorney, without that and if she has capacity it's quite a struggle to get someone to accept help if they dont want to.
What's her home situation, does she own, rent, would she manage in a warden controlled flat.
I am no expert, just speaking from personal experience, someone else will come along with more info.