This is my dad. He's at his doctor's office, waiting for renal test results to find out if he'll need to begin kidney dialysis any time soon. The former aerospace executive and decorated US Navy veteran doesn't really understand any of this because he has dementia too.

Like millions of Americans, Dad relies on Medicare for most of his medical needs. While the system has served Dad well thus far, we wonder how long Medicare and other government-administered programs will survive without serious cuts in overall care. It seems that SOMETHING has to give. And when that day arrives, who decides what services and procedures remain and what is no longer available? The fate of millions could come down to an 11th hour political decision.

You don't see this in the glossy "golden years" brochures that depict happy, healthy seniors playing golf and tennis.

This is reality.