America’s Message to Families With Loved Ones Suffering From Dementia: You’re on Your Own

I recently accompanied the man I love to his doctor’s appointment. In the blank for emergency contact, he filled in my name. He is my emergency contact, as well. In the marital status section, he checked the box marked married.

I am not his wife.

When I am forced to face the relationship box at the doctor’s office, my pen hovers. Officially, though I share a bed, apartment, and morning coffee with my beloved, I am both single and divorced. Occasionally, the forms will have the word “partnered” or “domestic partner” on them, so I’ll check one of those. But these words, though true, do not describe our legal rights vis a vis the American healthcare system.

Read more at The Daily Beast.