Have NC for this and will try and keep it brief. This is not a stealth boast about what a good daughter I am and I hope it does not come across that way. I just wanted some opinions.
My parents, who do not live in the UK, are in their late 70s and have no pensions, savings or any other way to survive financially except for my dad's income (and I pay their medical insurance premiums). They just never provided for anything in their old age. That is the way they are. Never think about tomorrow.
My dad was working full time (own business) up until lockdown started (in their country they had a very severe first lockdown, he was not even allowed out of the front door so had no options). They had absolutely no income whatsoever and I am, at a pinch, in a position to support them, so since March I have been completely financially supporting them (the country where they live is much cheaper to live in than the UK, but it is still a bit of a drain, I have many other family committments including two stepchildren at university).
The lockdown in their country has eased quite a bit now and I have heard from my brother that my dad is doing some bits of work (using masks etc, as is mandatory where they live). I suppose he must be making a little bit of money at least. The thing is, that DH and I realised years ago that the time was going to come when we would have to financially support my parents, given their age and that they have no other form of income if my dad cannot work.
So, do we just decide that the time has come, speeded up a bit by the pandemic, and support them from now on? Or do I pull back a bit in the support for now, as my dad has some work. I worry about him working full-time (quite a physical job, with travelling) at his age anyway.