My mom (87 years old) is in a memory care facility. Her notion of time is gone. Sometimes she 's very sharp, some others she's delusional. She was a proud woman, she still is. I don't think she would like to be seen as she is now. Some times she told me so. One of my cousins told me she would like to visit mom. I refused saying I'd like to weight the for and the cons. Pure instinct. I feared that mom won't remember her (they've never been close) and that the effort will drain her and destabilise her emotionally or provoke delusions or hallucinations (sometimes mom sees people or things that aren't there). Am I overprotective?
Tell your cousin what might happen, do not quiz Mom unless Mom does recognized her. Otherwise, your cousin could be a "new friend" coming to visit. If Mom seems uncomfortable, then that is a clue that your cousin should try another time, maybe at a different time of day.
I remember my Dad being pretty sharp in the mornings and early afternoons, but by 4pm his "sundowning" would take over.
I wouldn't worry about the visit doing any harm to Mom.
I agree with all the above.
Visit might be beneficial for your Mom as long as you are there with her, monitoring the visit. And the cousin understands that she may or may not be known.
Best wishes and May God bless.
It is good of you to look out for your mom. From my own experience, I feel the elderly need more visitors not fewer. It's good of your cousin to think of your mom and hopefully with some advance warnings, it will be a good visit.