Would You Want Maggie Smith And Her Smelly Van Living On Your Neighbour's Drive?

QUESTION: Would you want Maggie Smith and her smelly van living on your neighbour's drive? Well? Would you?

Interesting discussion last night at the community book club I went to. The book was Alan Bennett's Lady in the Van, and one of the topics raised (by one of several people who work in care homes / social services etc) was whether people should be allowed to live as they please or whether they have to conform? Some, who choose to live *differently* end up being sectioned.

This morning, reading Sophie Neville's excellent article in yesterday's Daily Telegraph, I see that living life as it pleases you was a matter of fact for one of the cast of Swallows & Amazons. Sten Grendon, who played Roger, was served with an eviction order because he chose to live a rural life in a stone hut and 'drank water from a spring'. The conviction was overturned.

But what about the elderly? Should they be put into care homes? For myself, I would welcome the opportunity to be able to continue living in my own home - whether or not I was capable of maintaining it or myself - until I decide otherwise. But what sort of pressure would this put on my daughters? A burden of having to help me? Guilt if they don't or can't?

So - what are your thoughts? Do we really live *freely* and *democratically*? Or are we expected to conform?