At some point, most people deal with aging parents. As I write this, Mom fell this week and went into the hospital. She has now been discharged from that hospital to an acute rehab hospital. She is expected to be there 7-10 days. After that, she will go to a long-term care facility for a bit as we are traveling and can’t be there for her.

When we return, we are at crossroads. Do we (a) let her go home and live alone, or (b) leave her in assisted living? At this point, I would say she is walking that fine line. The rational me says she should stay in assisted living. The reasons are as follows:

Better care, prepared meals, someone to watch over her.
Better social environment. She won’t be isolated.
More exercise and physical therapy.
All of this should lead to prolonged life.

On the other hand:

She wants to be at home.
She could keep her dog.
She will be more isolated, not eat as well, etc.
This, in my mind will lead to a shortened life span.

I think this should be a fairly easy decision, but at this point, it’s not mine to make. That’s my epiphany — it’s not my decision. I think some changes need to be made at the margins regardless of which direction we go, but quality of life is unique to the individual. The decision is harder than it was earlier.