My 90-year-old dad didn't want caregivers in his home. He ended up gaining friends.

The author with her 90-year-old father. Courtesy of the author My 90-year-old father's needs have changed as his health has declined. My sister had been his primary caregiver, but our family required extra help. Dad hired male carers who take turns to attend to him. It's worked out extraordinarily well. My mother and father, ages 95 and 90, respectively, are proud to still live in their own home. They enjoy a peaceful lifestyle that revolves around simple meals, afternoon trips into the English countryside , and reading the newspaper. However, their health has inevitably declined. Dad has had a particularly hard year so far after a heart attack in January. The condition affected his mobility, making it difficult for him to take a shower, get in and out of bed, and move without a walker.