I work in a chronic care setting and I know that my patients will gradually get sicker and pass.  It's a hard balance to be friendly and caring, but still keep a professional distance.

I used to watch the great grandparents of an ex-boyfriend and I got very attached to them. Thankfully, they are both still living today. I have a friend who knows the family and I still check up on them from time to time through the friend. It will be a very sad day for me when they do pass away.

Doesn't there have to be a certain degree of professional detachment if you are a personal caregiver?  My fear would be that I'd become so attached that when they died I deal with it as if a close family member died and that would be hard.

I have worked this type of work in the past. It is very hard not to get attached. I think you get use to have them pass. Unfortunetly, it is part of the job.

I can imagine it is hard to not get attached.  The only thing you are doing is setting yourself up for heartache when they pass. 

I think it's great that you can listen to them and chat with them.  I bet it makes them feel like a million bucks!  I would love a job like that!