Gemstone,
Those graphs are misleading. Notice that it is really drivers over 80 where fatalities tend to be dramatically higher. And one of the reasons is that as we age, the healing process slows, so that what we would have easily recovered from at 25, may lead to longer hospitalization, a secondary infection, pneumonia, and death.
Again, if you read the OP, it is that the daughter wanted to know what was going on all of the time - a little bit of control being exerted when none is needed. Is there a time when intervention may be needed, of course there is. But for a lot of people, then don't really stop and think what is best for the parents, just what is best for them.
A wise child would sit down, talk over with the parents how their life as been for the past year, any problems that the child can help with, what the plan is for the coming year, and put together some "just in case" plans if one of the parents becomes ill on the road. That's what we do with our DD and SIL each year. And since we don't expect to become ill at the exact same time, we also have some reassurance that we can help each other.
Barb
