End of Life Issues

Thinking about this sociologically, anthropologically...as in - how have we strayed from evolution's "plan"... I think humans evolved to remain living in groups intergenerationally, where the younger take care of the older. This would include, I presume, not necessarily having all modern technology at our fingertips to extend physical life, despite intellectual / mental decline. And so be it (in my opinion).

It also means there are not the concerns of today - where do we put mom; is this a good and safe environment; can we afford it...not that ALL issues are resolved, but there would be a basic plan or template.

I don't know...I am probably idealizing how things were 100+ years back. I know there were elders who starved and suffered alone - thus Social Security and Medicare in US, for example.

I just wonder about the tradeoffs of modern society when it comes to how we care for our very young and very old. So often, we have to turn to institutions, rather than the extended family model. Not optimal, in my opinion. Though I guess it's good to have options.