I am 62 years old, never married, no children, and no family other than my 93 and 94 year old parents. I left a great job 3 years ago to care for my mentally and physically declining parents. It has truly been 3 years of hell, but they are now secured separately in a skilled nursing facility and an assisted living facility, and my life is finally better.
This experience has certainly challenged me to look at my own future, and to ensure I have the proper legal documents in place in the event that I am no longer able to handle my financial affairs and make my own decisions regarding medical care.
Certainly, I have friends, but they are my age and older, and I do not expect they would be in a position to help me.
What do people do when they have no family to act on their behalf?
Thanks!
My question is not about finding facilities - there are plenty of them in the Dallas area where I live, but WHO would manage my finances AND healthcare decisions, assuming I have dementia? Would an eldercare attorney do that?
MishkaM, I'm impressed that you have thought so much about this yourself, at your young age, and I do understand why. I am encouraged by your thoughts that this issue is becoming more prevalent, and that solutions will evolve for those of us in this situation.
I am 41, married with one child but my daughter has a syndrome ( similar to Down's) and , realistically, will not be able to care for me or my husband as we grow older. Nor will we be grandparents, I think. As I try to balance the needs of my aging parents and my daughter I came to this conclusion and , well, it did kinda suck the wind outta me but I look to God for comfort and am trying to place this worry in His hands. BUT, I do find great comfort in Chicago1954's post!!- and , as I age, I will look into such places for my care. I have a few nieces and nephew's but do not want to count on them to take care of me.
Also, I think that there is a trend for people of my generation to not get married and have children as much as the last few generations. Many of my high school friends , at 40+, are not married ( my brother is single and plans to stay that way at 45 ) and do not have children so I hope there will be even more options down the road. And the friend's that do have kids have one or two only-usually. Who is to say the one child or even the two children will want to care for their parents. It is wise, I think, for anyone and everyone to prepare for their OWN care and not rely on their children. IMO. So, at 62, I would say you are ahead of the game. :0)
In IL. there is a wonderful organization called Concordia that has all levels of care. It is not too soon to get on a waiting list, there. You don't have to go, when you get to the top. But you don't drop off of the list, either.
I am determined not to leave my children property and real estate that they have to mess with. None of them live here and they are all employed full time.
So, if I am at all able, I will do it myself, even though I have relatives.