Thanks to all the readers who’ve shared their stories about caring for elderly or ailing family members. Kathryn, currently preparing to bid farewell to her dad, wrote this:

We have decided to obey his every request right now, including letting him eat foods that he should not be eating for salt reasons. But, it’s that or seeing him starve to death. It’s giving him hope, comfort, and peace at this time. We will know when God’s time comes, but until then, we will resist death. My prayers are with you and your family, and with all families who are going through these times right now. Take courage and have faith.

Evelyn, who is nursing her ailing mom (and whose father passed away two years ago), writes:

You want your parents around but you don’t want them to suffer any longer. Almost everyone goes through this eventually. It’s now our turn. Hang in there.

Seamus can relate:

One saying that has helped me in ALL of my life transitions and spiritual growth is this: “You cannot lose your real treasure.” It may feel like you’ve been separated from your father when the drugs and complications have blurred who he was to you, but you cannot lose him–the real him–even as we can never lose our true selves.”

Dr. Amy D’Aprix, a reader caring for her 85-year-old father, agrees that the Internet is a place to find loving support. On her site, “The Caregivers’ Coach,” folks exchange wisdom related to caregiving challenges. Also, remember that Beliefnet.com has a caregivers’ support group, and that Share the Care is a font of useful material on the subject.