My relative: healthy but thin and a bit frail. Teeth in good shape and has regular dental visits. Good appetite. Mind has been steadily going --- suspected Alzheimer's. Relies on only child to be responsible for him. Is now in good nursing home nearby where the minimum cost is $60,000 a year. His wife is deceased (many years ago). Recently had a deep cut from a tussel with aides trying to give him a shower - trip to the emergency room by ambulance: $1000 for the round-trip. That's a thousand dollars and it's not covered by anything and comes out of his or our pocket. We have to change our wills to leave our money to cover his expenses - if we don't take responsibility for him, he gets bounced out of this 'nicer' place and there's no control or choice for the quality of the place that he will go.

Being old is a bitch. This guy was frugal and he was a hard worker all his life. Best thing he ever did was raise a caring loving son.