[lizardlady]

This article comes from right here at PC. This is something that scares the poo outta me. I'm widowed with no kids and no close relatives. I worry who is going to see to it that I am properly cared for if I'm not able to do so for myself.

How have the rest of you dealt with this?

Childless Boomers at Risk of Becoming ?Elder Orphans? | Psych Central News

With an aging Baby Boomer population and increasing numbers of childless and unmarried senior citizens, nearly one-quarter of Americans over age 65 could become “elder orphans,” according to new research.

A case study and literature review by Maria Torroella Carney, M.D., chief of geriatric and palliative medicine at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, found that 22 percent of Americans over age 65 are at risk of entering their senior years alone and unsupported by family, leaving them vulnerable.

[gayleggg]

This worries me about my daughter who has chosen not to have children.

Best wishes, Gayle
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[dancinglady]

Even with kids there is no guarantee. Good luck. Hopefully you will die young. Nursing homes know the abandon ones and don't take care of them at all. They are always left to the end.

[JadeAmethyst]

It is a true fact, having chosen to have children, or not doesn't quell the dread.
When my Father was passing the hospice nurse said: "Dying is just another way of living."
Some friends that are our age chose not to have children, and it seems that society as a whole is shifting or shifted in this area.
Interesting post. Traditions changing...

Originally Posted by lizardlady

This article comes from right here at PC. This is something that scares the poo outta me. I'm widowed with no kids and no close relatives. I worry who is going to see to it that I am properly cared for if I'm not able to do so for myself.

How have the rest of you dealt with this?

Childless Boomers at Risk of Becoming ?Elder Orphans? | Psych Central News

I agree with the thought that having children is no guaranty you'll be looked after. Both my parents were cared for and died at home. I saw what happened with some of my mom's friends though and it wasn't good despite having children.
It is an important point though. A living will and prearranged details is about all one can do. I bet you worry more about what happens to any remaining pets than what happens to you

[Gus1234U]

shoot, Liz, i went there in my 50's, it ain't so bad. i've been thru worse.
sometimes having kids who rip you off and break your heart is worse. i don't have human children, only foster - cats. when the day comes that i can't get to the bathroom or the kitchen it's "light's out" for me~

quality of life doesn't start when you're 65.

[lizardlady]

Oh, I'm well aware that having kids is no guarantee that someone will look after you. Can't tell you the number of folks in both the nursing home and assisted living facility Mom was in whose kid's dumped them there and never visited.

I was wondering if anyone here had made plans and what they were.

George, you mentioned pre-arranged plans. I know about preplanned funerals. Is there a way to preplan care? If so, please enlighten me.

And yes, I worry more about the critters than I do myself. Last year, when I got the kittens I realized they could outlive me. When I finally get around to having my will drawn up I plan to include care for the fur babies.

Possible trigger:

I've decided that if/when I reach the point I can't care for myself anymore I'm going to check out.

[Nammu]

Never thought I would live past my 20's much less past 50. I guess I don't much think about it cause I never think I'm going to have a future. I do have a daughter but she lives in another state. I don't talk with my sisters I'm closer to cousins but haven't talked to them in years either. This question makes me think about the past when relatives always took in their older and poor relatives...wether or not they were treated right was another matter. A lot of people think about assisted living homes but they are not licensed and nursing home which are can be nightmares. My biggest fear is losing control of my body but still having my mind and being unable to do anything about appalling conditions. If my mind goes I won't care.

Sorry for the rambling don't much like to think about this subject...but it does need to be talked about. Wish the U.S. Would wise up and let people have a choice about dying, ie assisted dying. I allways think about Soylent green, when the old man decided to go, it was so beautiful . Of course what happened after that wasn't so great but the way he was allowed to die with grace and dignity was so moving.

[Little Lulu]

Maybe you could visit an assisted living facility or nursing home and talk to an admissions person there about pre-arrangements. I have considered doing this myself. I am in my 50's, don't have children, and this issue is on my mind also. I have read about seniors in some areas forming groups to support one another as they age.

Right now I am going with the 'something will work out' plan, which I know is probably true but it might not necessarily be something I would have chosen.

Thanks for this thread.

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

I'm widowed with no kids and no close relatives. I worry who is going to see to it that I am properly cared for if I'm not able to do so for myself.

How have the rest of you dealt with this?

By stopping thinking about it.

Make such preparations as you can and then that's all you can do. I tell myself.

[JadeAmethyst]

There actually is long term care insurance available if you can afford it.

[dancinglady]

I think the preplanning is the best option. I think the study was done with how to get us to not utilize "expensive healthcare options". In other words society should find cheap options for us. I say no way - bring the $$$$ to help all of us. We worked hard and we deserve the champagne, medium rare steak, lobster etc. Even if it is in a IV.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Advances in robotics mean that soon we will be able to lease robot 'children' to care for us, provide company and keep us on the narrow/straight when we go gaga.

[SeekerOfLife]

My siblings live far away. My children care nothing about me. My plan is to start investigating options/ assisted living about a year before I retire. Life has been hard for me. I guess I do not expect being elderly to be any better.

[dancinglady]

Can you move closer to your siblings.