Elderly with no kids

RedJoker · #1 03-13-2018, 12:11 PM

The other thread made me think, I don't have kids so I won't have anyone to look out for me when I get older. I've had several people tell me that is one of the worst part of not having kids.

Some view that as extremely sad or scary while some view it as extremely liberating. My mom is an only child but Grandma handled all her affairs to the very end. She had everything planned out and put herself in a retirement village before she really needed to. Mom had to make no decisions for her.

It will be interesting to see what happens to me.

fitness1 · #2 03-13-2018, 12:29 PM

I will be alone as well. Not letting it bother me.

From the stories I heard at the nursing home Dad was in for 5 months (from workers and patients) most of the folks get very few visitors.

One lady my Mom and I have befriended has 3 sons that live within 25 miles and she rarely sees them.

Mom went in to feed Dad lunch every day, and I fed him dinner. The staff told us all the time how special that was.

In this day and age I don't think our elderly folks get near the respect they deserve, especially when they really need it.

PorkPieGuy · #3 03-13-2018, 01:00 PM

You should spend your time sitting around counting the money you saved by not having any!

I have three kids, and I'm not counting on any of them to look after me, and I'm going to do my darndest to not "guilt" them into visiting. I love all three of them equally, but I know in my heart of hearts that the place we live right now has such a horrific economy, I don't plan on any of them living close by.

I just try to hold them tight while they are young because I'm pretty sure that when they leave, they're gone.

rokdog49 · #4 03-13-2018, 02:49 PM

Haven't given it too much thought yet. We will see how things develop with our own situation. I do know my Dad greatly appreciates my brother and I having breakfast with him every Wednesday morning. I live 20 miles away but how big of a deal is it for me to do that for him? Not very big.

Shoreline Music · #5 03-13-2018, 03:34 PM

I thought this was going to be about visiting a Michigan guitar store without your family in tow.

ifret · #6 03-13-2018, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoreline Music

I thought this was going to be about visiting a Michigan guitar store without your family in tow.

That's what I was thinking too, being that Elderly is my FLGS!

HHP · #7 03-13-2018, 03:47 PM

I got it covered. Think teenage mail order bride from Russia.

H165 · #8 03-13-2018, 04:40 PM

It was not our choice, but, as noted above, I think I've saved $100k just on clothing by not having kids. Don't even want to think about food.....and housing.......and medical.....and education.....and toys....and music lessons....and (fill in fifty more blanks).

I hope I get my big wish........live happy and die fast

Mr. Jelly · #9 03-13-2018, 04:43 PM

Two of the things I have experienced is my brother passing at twenty two and he didn't have any life insurance. The other was my mom passing several months ago. My take away is be proactive and make plans for the inevitable. Where are you going to live when the need arises? Make and pay for your funeral and burial. Keep an eye on your end game for everybody's sake.

fitness1 · #10 03-13-2018, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H165

I hope I get my big wish........live happy and die fast

I tell people I'm going to be out west jogging up a mountain about about 90 years old and my heart is going to say "that's all folks"

Twelvefret · #11 03-15-2018, 05:02 AM

I thought this thread was about going to Elderly Instruments and leaving the children at home.

RP · #12 03-15-2018, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoreline Music

I thought this was going to be about visiting a Michigan guitar store without your family in tow.

Good one, John.....

Silurian · #13 03-15-2018, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHP

I got it covered. Think teenage mail order bride from Russia.

...until the money runs out.

Neil K Walk · #14 03-15-2018, 06:31 AM

I just persuaded my mother to move out here to my adopted home town. She's been retired for 15 years and has held out until now, but after her older brother and sister have been long gone and her surviving sister having a decline in health I think she's starting to re-examine her priorities.

Speaking of that aunt, my two cousins are childless and quite frankly I pity them. The riches of life are not measured in nickels and dimes and time is our more precious commodity.

As for me, I had kids about 10 years too late so that by the time I'm 60 my youngest will be in his early 20s. More concerning though is that my oldest will likely be living in assisted living because he is intellectually disabled. Thankfully, we have not been overly burdened with his various therapies and whatnot but care and feeding for such an individual has been very taxing on the checking account and the lack of sleep has caused me to age quicker than my years. I don't know what will happen to me in coming years but really I'm more worried about who will look after my eldest in this crazy world when I'm gone.

RedJoker · #15 03-15-2018, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

Speaking of that aunt, my two cousins are childless and quite frankly I pity them. The riches of life are not measured in nickels and dimes and time is our more precious commodity.

Just out of curiosity, did they actually tell you that they didn't have kids just so they could have more money? Do you think if only they had kids, their lives would be more meaningful and fulfilling?

I only ask because, since I don't have kids, I have to deal with similarly huge (and wrong) assumptions made about me. Maybe it's true for them, I don't know what they've told you.