Quote:
Originally Posted by MissSoBelle
Wow. I've spent most of my 60's being a caregiver for my mother and father. My father is gone now, but my 89 year old mother can't live alone. She is of sound mind (a tad forgetful) and gets around with a cane, but there are too many things that she cannot do. After all, they spent their 20's and 30's taking care of me.
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One has to draw lines in terms of what one will/won't do. I've been handling the finances/taxes/legal stuff for parents/inlaws for over a decade now. Have also dealt with many medical issues/conditions. Have also done things with them (lunch with my father - driving my late FIL around to see/do various things when he was a SNF resident - whatever). But I draw the line at being a maid/cook/personal attendant/etc. And I especially draw the line at taking care of anyone in my house (except for my husband - should that need never arise). I think these are very personal decisions - and this is my decision.
Note that both sets of parents had/have enough money to buy the personal care they needed/need. Don't know what I'd do if they couldn't afford to pay for these things (my husband and I each have 2 younger married siblings who have pretty much done nothing over the years - don't know whether they would chip in money to help our parents financially if they needed financial help). Robyn
P.S. My father is 96 - and could easily live to be 100+. Your mother is only 89. Think about how you might feel 5-10 years from now if you're in the situation you are today.
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