Our Hana has long claws like that and she loves to make biscuits on you everytime she hops into your lap...ouch. She's learned to let us put a piece of heavy fabric we keep nearby between her feet and our body. I think it is a remnant of upolstery (sp?) fabric. Her claws still get through a little bit, but not nearly to the extent they used too. Is something like this a possibility for your mom?