My mother is is currently 93, happily living at home. When she first showing signs of cognitive decline, I could only deny it at first. A nurse herself, My Mother is a force of nature, a woman who demanded the best for her family and refused to accept the status quo at face value. I just couldn’t believe that someone of that determination and relentless spirit could suffer from the such a debilitating disease. As time passed, it became quite obvious she would need help to continue living at home. After hearing a few personal stories, I realized there are many, many people like me. We all have had a loved one passing through their final stage of life, and as a lifelong Nurse, I can say that while the experience doesn’t get easier, we can still make plenty of happy memories with the time we have left. As Mom always says, “It’s no fun getting older, but consider the alternative!”