Dear Worrals, (How are Biggles, Algy, and Ginger these days?), In this particular case, the lady - a sociable soul - had no family nearby, and no "direct" family at all; she was heart-sick of being alone. There was no pressure; she was happy to move. My own mum, on the other hand, is coming 91, and has been dealt a really good hand in life's lottery. Despite a shoulder which hardly works, and a GK-nailed hip, she is still a "going-about wee body" (Self-explanatory Scots expression). She is mobile, she has good neighbours, and she walks at least a mile a day when the weather is good. We all keep in touch with her, and we visit when we can. (One in Spain, one in Ulster, one in Canada, and me in Scotland) She still has living friends whom she meets for tea in Edinburgh's "posh" department stores, and her mind is still annoyingly sharp. Other than the last attribute, the patient in the story had none of these. Horses for courses.