OP, if your mother connects in MSP you can call the Travelers Assistance office there and ask for someone to “meet and assist” your mother. A volunteer will meet her at the gate upon arrival and escort her to the connecting flight. If your mother doesn’t want a wheel chair the volunteer can help flag down one of the electric carts. If she has a long layover and wants a quiet place to rest, she can wait for her flight in the Travelers Assistance office. It doesn’t have the style of an airline lounge but it does have a couple of large, comfortable recliner chairs, magazines, cold (non-alcoholic) drinks, and friendly staff and volunteers.

I’m a volunteer at MSP and do this often for passengers who need extra help because of age, language problems, disabilities, etc.

If you decide to do this you should call MSP Travelers Assistance at 612-726-5500 several days or weeks in advance of your mother’s travel and give all the details of her itinerary and needs. This service is available at no charge seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, except for major holidays. Unlike the wheel chair attendants, the volunteers do not accept tips. Donations to the MSP Airport Foundation, which operates the Travelers Assistance program are accepted but definitely not required.

This can be arranged in addition to requesting a wheelchair.