Tom, Sometimes all you can do is realize that, by getting one of them out of that type of nursing home facility (I can't call it a home when it isn't), even for a short time, you improve their existence for a brief time. As you said, they are a shell of the person they were. But, I remind myself that there is something of that person there still... locked in. That brief, precious moment of dignity we can give them, even just holding their hand, is worth it, IMHO. (I worked in a nursing home in my teens. Hardest job I ever did. It drained me emotionally. But, it drove me... and helped me to become the person I am today, intent that I will NEVER treat someone like that... EVER.)