Questions for Visitor's visa for my mother

[jjlucas]

Hello all,

I have some questions to see if my mother will get her Visitor's Visa approved and able to visit me here in Canada. Quick situation about us: I am a Canadian citizen inviting my widowed mother, and would very much appreciate help on her application:

1. She wants to visit us for a couple of months, but due to her lack of funds I am tempted on her tentative dates for just 2 weeks in this visa application. What should I place as her tentative start/end date, 2 weeks or the total amount that we intent to? (I will fund her travel the most; luckily I am well employed here in Canada, though)
2. On the country of residence, she has been living back home at her current home address since 2000, but the questionnaire only asks for the last 10 years, how how go about it?
3. Funds: She only has about 800 bucks Canadian to visit us saved on her chequing account. "Is someone else giving you money for your stay in Canada?", I replied YES, and placed myself. She has an apartment on her name back home and a lot more family back home than here in Canada (2 other sons, and 2 other daughters)
4. My mother never worked; should I just place her as "Homemaker" since her marriage date on the application?
5. She tried first getting a visa to U.S. so she could also have flights through U.S., and unfortunately that got denied. Should I mention the flight stops as one of the reasons for the U.S. Visa denial to IRCC?

What tips would you guys also provide to help her get approved?

Thank you very much in advance!