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My first real eye opener to care of the elderly in retirement homes and other such facilities came when I was first starting my legal career. I did sundry types of work; whatever the partners wanted and this included some Wills and Estate work. Over the first few years I got to know some pretty fantastic people, especially in that area of law.

Most of our clients were "getting on in years" and I had the opportunity to get to know husband and wife and sometimes even their children and grandchildren.

I am fortunate in that I never had to make the decision; came close once with my father, and my choice as I shared with family members, was that I'd pack up my life and move to the city where he lived, so that I could be with him and allow him to live his remaining days in the comfort of his own home. He deserved that, and so much more; so very much more.

However, I've never had to make that choice about my parents, as they have both gone home to be with the Lord.

My argument in favour of family taking care of elderly patients is strongly supported by some pretty shocking life experiences I am going to share with you.

I had to go to a couple of government funded retirement homes where the residents did require medical and attendant care. I can still recall one, and to this day as I drive by it (yes it is still operational), it's as though I am experiencing it all over again. I had to go to this residential care home to see a client who was changing his Will. I got to the building and had to drive to the back of the building to park. Where I parked was a good 40 car lengths away from the building. As I got out of my car I was almost knocked backwards by the ''stench of urine'' in the air! It was a hot August afternoon, and the air was heavy, and I felt like the putrid smell was permeating my skin! ''Ugh. How disgusting,'' I muttered to myself, pinching my nostrils trying not to inhale the stench, and at the same time not wanting to breath through my mouth, because I could actually taste it! Well, sad to say, as it turned out, that was the most ''pleasant'' experience I had that day. On entering the building, the combination of smells of urine, feces, medication and something cooking made me feel sick to my stomach. I went to the reception and was directed to my client's room on the second floor. I took the elevator and on getting off of the elevator, was greeted by several elderly men, lined up along the walls, strapped into wheel chairs and other types of chairs,

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