@Bikerbeth, my brother and I never fell out as such but we had years where we didn't see much of each other. Since he and my sister in law moved to a largish house a few years back she has made sure we do more stuff as a family, hence Christmases together that we didn't have in previous years for the last few. Since he's been ill in hospital I've actually had more time to really chat to him and that is all to the good. Hopefully he'll be out early in the new year and may be able to get to see mum.
Mum was always far more keen on him than me, she once mucked up my Christmas plans by announcing at the last moment she'd had an invite from him so wouldn't be coming to me after all. However since she's been in the home she seems to have forgotten all about him, which I'm very grateful for.
As for excuses about 'going home'. Mum knew her flat was under offer, and she'd been told she was moving near me till a place she'd seen near my brother was ready. I just fudged what sort of place it was. We also said (which was true) that there was work going on in her block of flats which might disturb her. Shortly afterwards she got it into her head that the flat had been sold, and I went along with that, even though it hadn't been at the time. That didn't stop her waving her keys about (old ones I'd substituted for the real ones) and saying she was going back and asking the new owners to leave! She has never blamed me for being in the home, but instead said it was all the fault of my nasty boyfriend. I don't have one of those, and what was odder in her mind he was identified with my long dead uncle.
Hope you find a routine for visiting that suits you both soon. {{{hugs}}}