Summary

The elderly are more afraid of their physical decline than they are of death. Health and welfare can be maintained for a period but eventually aging renders us in need of assistance. Alice's son, Jim, helped look for the right retirement home for his mother. He looked for a place that was affordable and close to her family. Also important was a place that offered a continuum of care for the eventuality of her further decline. They chose Longwood House, a high-rise that was affiliated with an Episcopal Church. She had some friends who lived there. Her one-bedroom independent living apartment was large and decorated nicely. However, when Atul saw her she was not herself. She wasn't overtly angry or bitter but withdrawn. She began eating less and lost weight and avoided group activities. Alice had it great at Longwood House compared to the...