As a person ages, social support of relatives and friends decline due to death or illness of loved ones, and children moving far away. Most people do not choose isolation over the pleasure of being with those they love or enjoy. Support from others can be important in reducing stress, retaining physical health and keeping at bay feelings of depression and anxiety.
When a parent suffers a stroke, or other sudden acute illness, the family is suddenly faced with difficult and costly decisions about where to get care and how to pay for it. But there may be another matter of great concern, and that is who is legally liable to pay for very expensive long term care.