...like the Smoking Cessation Officer advertised for Cambs Health Authority at about £35K pa?
RAFA, RAFBF and RBL would have most certainly become involved but they have to be told of the case in need - they don't have a crystal ball and there is no mechanism [as far as I know] for a hospital, etc, to inform them. Sometimes a home will involve the Service charities if there is a member of staff that has a Forces background or a relative in the Forces, thus knowing a bit more than the average about these organisations. Their welfare officers would have taken an active part in arranging for life for the old chap to have been a lot more comfortable in his twighlight years.
I just hope and pray that when it's my time, I die suddenly, without warning and am dead before I hit the pavement. Not only will it avoid me having to suffer similar indignities, but it will spare my family the torment and anguish of having a frail and sick old man to help - they have their own lives to get on with and I have no wish to have them worry about me...