My mother's doctor wants her to start Fosamax but I've heard bad things about it. She's 86 and already on a ton of meds. The only reason she was told to start it was because she had a routine bone density test. She has not fallen or had any fractures. My Mom will do whatever the doctor says, so because he recommended it, she wants to take it. I told her my reservations about adding yet another medicine but have not discussed my concerns with the doctor yet.
If she needs treatment for her bones ask about the quarterly shots.
You could read all this to your mother and together make your own call on this.