What do we do when we can no longer manage entirely on our own? When age brings small or large losses of independence? Through the story of two elderly women, Bartolo's book tackles a question that weighs heavily on older people and their families today—though the narrative itself is somewhat simplified, relying on familiar tropes. The central problem is urgent: most of us want to stay in our own homes. Yet our society has transformed. The extended family, where members supported one another across generations, no longer exists. Adult children, when they exist at all, often lack the means to provide the care and presence their aging parents need. So what then? What is the best choice for living with dignity through life's final chapter?
After the story, the author offers a thoughtful analysis of this challenge, marshaling demographic data and observations on how our social fabric has shifted, and on the different vulnerabilities older age brings. His conclusion: any medical or care decision must be tailored to the individual.
The narrative suggests one possible path forward, but it cannot be the only one—not least because it may not be practical for everyone. Yet it remains an idea worth sitting with, something many aging people might find themselves reflecting on.
Rita Massi, 2016