I have not read the book, Catharine, but I read the reviews, which got me looking into the nightmare that is assisted suicide for those those with early-stage dementia. Basically, there is no such thing, legally, in the States. Even discussing the topic with someone involved can make them an accessory to murder, as most state courts interpret their laws. So the lovely picture of someone with terminal cancer slipping off to their final rest, holding the hand of their life partner until the very end, must be replaced with the horror of coming home to find the dementia sufferer unexpectedly dead by their own hand, having expired not only alone but without the chance of a final farewell. <shudder>