Bob,
When I feel people start to pull away, which I am already seeing and it has only been 6 months since my first stroke, I simply tell them "I am not going to beg you to remain my friend, I have others. But ask this of yourself. If you had a stroke, heart attack. or some other type of accident that incapacitated you, would you want me to treat you the way you are treating me? And also, God forebid, if this is your last day on earth is the way you want to spend it?" Then I just walk away leaving them with their thoughts. If there is any good in their hearts I usually get an apology, if not they were not worth having as friends in the first place and yes this includes family members.
Just my 2 cents