Well said. I can tell you're speaking from hard-earned experience. To respect your aging parent's agency as long as their mental faculties permit is one of the

Well said. I can tell you're speaking from hard-earned experience. To respect your aging parent's agency as long as their mental faculties permit is one of the greatest acts of love one can give to their parent. It might be hard to watch at times -- a single fall can turn a man who is a young 80 into a man who is an old 80. But our obligation is not to infantilize our aging parents, but to love, respect, and help them when it's needed. They know they're a banana peel away from the old folk's home or a cold slab. They've wrestled with, reasoned with, and made peace with the indignities of old age and infirmity. They know what lies around the next bend, and it ain't pretty. Respect their choices. Bad stuff happens to old people even when they are compliant with the wishes of those who would protect them. Give them their freedom and dignity even though it comes with risk. I don't say you shouldn't reason with them, plead with them, and explain the dangers to them. But never forget to respect their wishes. They know what comes next and accept it. Do you?