Hitting home Max. My older brother, 86, is in need of constant care. He's had copd for several years, and had a stroke three years ago. Of course he still thinks he's John Wayne and has NOT followed through with doctor orders . He's also put his faith and $$$ to quack. The quack has since lost his Doc license BTW.

Insisting he's still macho, he doesn't want to be seen with a cane or walker. He lives in the house next door to our cottage in Michigan's "Thumb". Due to circulation issues he's done the blood thinner thing for some time and he is Cold..all of the time. He caught a real break last year, a woman who had been sort of a girl friend (20 years younger than he)had moved to another state being needed by family. About one year ago, she had everything handled and moved Back to the "Thumb". With no where to move to, my brother invited her to share his small house. A good deal for her, or so she thought. His house was beyond filthy. She handled that. His health and energy was and is declining. The best part is that she had been a career health worker for assisted living. She knows her stuff and had made a lot of progress with the stubborn "Macho" man. He decided , last summer, to spend the winter in a warmer place. He rented an off season apartment in Myrtle Beach! Seemed like a logical idea at the time. A few days ago, he fell and landed on his head. Was taken to emergency, stitched up the goose egg and went through a plethora of testing. Yesterday he was sent home. Really?? She politely mentioned that the hospital agreed to let him sign out! Very likely glad to get rid of him. Point here is, our friend , the woman who just needed a play to stay, is no doubt the reason he's still among the living! Care is Soooo special.