Nursing homes and assisted living facilities may not be the hell-holes that some people fear, but neither are they the obvious solution that you imply. And for many, they simply aren't affordable.

More importantly, the fact that our bodies are breaking down and we require physical asistance doesn't mean that we have entered into that mythical "second childhood" or that our preferences are no longer important. Your article highlights some of the tragic things that can occur at the end of life, but your attitude appears to be a bit condescending ... and older adults (such as your MIL?) can smell that a mile away.