My Mum's in her mid seventies and she's been having problems with her short term memory since she had a major operation ten years ago, but it's started getting noticeable for someone who doesn't live with her now. It makes my shriveled, blackened heart break. And my Dad, while he's in good health right now, is in his mid eighties, and is prone to horrendous chest infections. Every time I hear him cough my fingers twitch to dial 000. Having your parents grow old on you is not only heart breaking, it's nerve wracking.