You had a good day with your relatives.
Honestly speaking, I am not in favor of joint families. This system spoils several aspects of personal life. However, I am not in favor of abondoning your relatives either. We must keep on meeting each other on the occassion of happiness and on the occasion of sorrows. I love the gatherings as well after every couple of months. Our relatives and social circle makes us strong in the society.
Something that I don't like about joint family is the unnecessary interferrance of others in your personal matters. At times it becomes difficult for us to handle our kids. My point is the relationship with the relatives be within healthy boundaries. We should be close but with a healthy distance.
How about your father @sanjeevm ? Did he feel some betterment in his Alzheimer?
Ya, I get that, but as you said, at least we should keep it close with a healthy distance to help each other when needed. Unfortunately people are not comfortable with that as well.
They would regret it in the later years of their lives