Very true. Mentally, my mom stayed lucid and sharp until her dying day. Physically however, mostly due to diabetes and arthritis, there came a time she could no longer do for herself. I'm the youngest of 7, 5 living at the time, but none of my siblings would lift a finger to help with my mom's care, so I was left holding the bag. It would have been easy to wash my hands of it too and put her in nursing care, but I elected to put my own needs and wants aside and tend to hers. I won't lie, it was damn hard at times and I often felt deep resentment. The last 7 years of her life were the hardest. Having to watch a once strong and proud woman decline as she did. I stuck it out though, because for me, it was just the right thing to do and I thank God I was able.
Every situation is different of course. I just think all too often in this country the aged among us are just cast aside when they become the least bit burdensome. While in other cultures the elderly are revered.