Well I live within 45 minutes right now of my now retired parents, both in fairly good health and no I would not feel guilty if I moved out of state or country and left them alone. They are both highly independent. My mom has already made it clear that she wants to be put in a home if she gets to bad, I think she knows that her children though we care and love her, don't want to take care of her. If you think that is cold, well it might be, be that as it may she warped me and my siblings and caused all of us undeniable mental health issues. As for my dad, he doesn't take care of him self like he should and I think he may die from a broken heart, since it has been two years almost since he lost the love of his life my step-mom. They were married for 31 years and it is hard for him, he has lost interest in almost everything. He is independent as well and would never want any of his kids taking care of him, but my sister would if she had too. Just like I'd probably be the one to take care of our mother if I had too, I had to once already after she had a surgery, she was down for three months. I know western culture has changed the norms of how eastern culture is and how ours used to be.