We were gathered at my grandmother's home for a final visit. Coming together for this was sad but it was also more joyful than I could have imagined. We sat with her and shared stories, photos, laughter.

My parents married on a five-day furlough during WWII. Mom and Dad remained passionate about their relationship until their last breaths 60 years later. They communicated well. When disagreements arose, they agreed to disagree.

An oncology study by the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, confirms what many cancer survivors already know -- patients with strong support networks are not only more likely to survive, they also experience reduced occurrences of cancer resurgence.

For years, I saved articles on how to determine whether an elderly person needs more help or a change of living situation. But when the time came to intervene with my own mother -- widowed and living alone -- I was utterly unprepared for the emotions that flared and the strain it put on our relationship.