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Preface
When asked, each of us could probably name one or more family members and/or friends who are providing care in the community to ailing parents or elderly spouses. Given a bit more time, I bet that we could also think of someone who is not yet of retirement age, but who also needs assistance with everyday activities due to an acute or chronic condition. Just within my immediate circle of family I can think of three relatives who required care before the age of 65. My godfather was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in his 40s and declined for 20 years before succumbing to the disease in December 2004. Another uncle was given months to live after being diagnosed with brain cancer in his 50s, but lived an additional 4 years. Finally, my mother-in-law has been fighting the effects of hereditary heart disease and other ailments since her late 30s, but now, at 60, is feeling the effects that more than a decade of antirejection medication can have on the body.