How do you deal with your aging parents? (details below)

Have you reached that point where your parents are becoming less independent? How have you (and your siblings, if any) handled the situation? Are you allowing your parents to be in total control, allowing them to “hold the reins” as much as possible, or insisting that they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves?

I really am interested in hearing people’s feedback on this issue. My siblings and I are facing the above situation as my parents’ health is declining more and more. Unfortunately, not all of us agree on how to approach the situation. While I feel my parents are still perfectly capable about making these decisions, and need to be at most offered advice as to upcoming options, my siblings, particularly two of the three of them, are taking the approach that mom and dad are no longer making good decisions, and that justifies their actions in taking over the situation. They keep saying we all need to get together and meet (and they are not including my parents in on this), and discuss what is to be done. My sister has used the example of someone at her workplace, who told her how they got to the point of taking their parents’ car keys because they no longer could safely drive.

This whole situation makes me furious! My parents are not as strong physically as they used to be, and indeed my dad’s health is not good at all right now (he recently fell down the steps), but their decision making ability has not been impaired. My mom has been extra tired and stressed lately (due to my dad’s fall and ensuing hospital stay), but I don’t feel that is a fair time to assess someone, as we are all subject to such situations affecting us.

Please share if you care to any relevant situations you have had to deal with. Also, any advice given my situation would be appreciated. I feel like this situation is tearing my family apart.