Abstract
Ken Eldredge, a 76-year-old retired truck driver, has end-stage heart disease and dementia. In the last year, his health has worsened considerably. He is bedbound, extremely weak, and occasionally short of breath. He has a poor appetite and is losing weight. After an evaluation including a complete blood count and computed tomographic scans of the chest and abdomen revealed colon cancer, he received chemotherapy, which ended two months ago. Mr. Eldredge is being cared for at home by his 75-year-old wife, Jean, and two of their adult children.