My parents moved 900 miles away to get away from all of us.
This turned out to be a not very good idea, as after my mother died and my father's Parkinson's with dementia got worse, it eventually became necessary for him to move into my house for the last months of his life.
The last few years that he lived on his own were pretty nasty for him. I was grateful that he had a little time with us where he was properly-fed, bathed, groomed, was able to make all his doctors' appointments and get proper medical care, got a little bit of exercise, lose some weight, become generally ambulatory again, wasn't getting cheated by folks who cheat old people, and got tucked into bed by his family every night.
Things would have been better if my parents hadn't had this big hang-up about becoming dependent on their children. Taking care of one's parents when they get old and need the help is part of the Commandment.
sitetest
My father is in a comfortable Alheimers Care home, and my mother, who lives in an “Independent Living” building just up the road, sees him almost every day. It’s a lot of work for her, but more manageable than having him in the apartment with her 24/7.
Staffing in care facilities is a big problem, and only going to get worse. My #3 daughter likes being with old people, and I’ve suggested she get Certified Nursing Assistant training as soon as she’s 16, for guaranteed work at better than average pay. Why be camp staff for sub-minimum wage, when you can work at the rehab center two miles away?
I imagine that my older children, in their successful later years, will contribute monetarily, while Mr. Clingy lets me hang around his house doing needlepoint until liver failure gets me.