My father refused to allow me or anyone else to make any modifications in his home after my mother died. Shortly after he finally accepted a full-time housekeeper, he tripped on a loose area rug and broke his hip. This fall necessitated surgery; his first stroke occurred shortly thereafter. He was never the same again.

I am convinced that had my father not fallen, his health would not have deteriorated so quickly. In retrospect I should have insisted more vehemently that we at least make his home fall-proof. I understand and accept the concept of "dignity of risk" — a dignity allowing people to make choices and take risks — but in this case a few simple interventions could possibly have given my father several more quality years of life.

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