Those not wanting children, what’s your plan for old age?

[Katelyn88]

before people pounce on me:
I do NOT expect my children to be my carers, but I expect my children to ARRANGE care and keep an eye on the quality of care and finances.

Those not wanting children - who will supervise your care and finances when you are too weak/forgetful ?

It’s a genuine question. My parents both looked after their parents. Granny lived with us until she passed away. Me and my sister live within 5 miles from parents and inlaws live around the corner from BIL. I have no idea how childless people manage.

I don't really fancy being alive when I'm so frail I can't live in my own home without issues any more, so...

I’ll get live in carers or go in a home. I dislike the whole children should organise the parents’ care, unless the parents have lost their faculties.

I do have kids but I wouldn't necessarily expect them to do any of that anyway.
Honestly I'm naïvely hoping that, like my grandmother I stay active and independent right up until the point that I die in my sleep.

I don't know but I am imagining it will be some sort of living will drawn up ahead of time. Otherwise, if no next of kin who is capable, social services will step in.

Dignitas or similar before I am too frail

(Regarding above post) But I have dc and am not planing this.

Planning!

I have kids but I have never imagined them sorting out my care. I'll do that for myself I hope. One of my children is severely disabled so I hope to be able to continue caring for him as long as possible.
I don't think most people have children so that someone will sort their care in old age. Might be wrong though.

Power of attourney arrangements with solicitors, friends & siblings should my mind fail before my pension, savings, investments and retirement plans ensure I’m set til the end. Planning for live in care after downsizing. Family is more than just children (I arranged my great aaunts care etc)

What is it with the childfree being hassled on here today? Do all you parents not have nappies to change or something? You must be bored.

Having cared and nursed MIL for the last 5 years beforw her dearh this year I never, ever want to put my children through such an experience.
I hope, by the time I reach old age there will be a pill I can take when my health fails.

I had one child at 40, after planning not to have any, and my plans for my old age remain exactly the same as before I had him. Then again, I’m from a family where my siblings and I suffered because of both parents’ caring responsibilities for dysfunctional, unpleasant grandparents. My generation won’t be doing similar, and I certainly wouldn’t expect DS to live in the same country as me in adulthood — the world’s a big, interesting place. My siblings, cousins and I are pretty scattered around internationally.

I expect for some it would fall to other younger relatives. I have a child, but I also have a sibling ten years younger (unless their health meant they needed help before me) and a young nephew. I expect to be that person for my childless uncle, and possibly my aunt if her biological niece or nephew don't step in. They have been there for me more than my parents.

Why can’t you sort your own care out? I have children and I plan to make my own arrangements, if they end up helping then great, but you should plan based on arranging your own affairs regardless of wether or not you have children.

I have quite a few elderly clients without children who have planned ahead and appointed their solicitor as their attorney for property and affairs ( and sometimes health and welfare.) Where people don't plan ahead and end up needing care, social services arrange it in consultation with them if they have capacity, but can also arrange for a Court of Protection application to be made to appoint a deputy for property and affairs, either the local authority finance bod, or a solicitor from the Court of Protection panel.

What's your plan if your children will go NC like large part of MN seems to do?

You are assuming that adult children are capable of doing this, my siblings have children, they can’t organise their own lives let alone advocate for an ailing parent, they are lovely people but are pretty useless where things like that are concerned.

Whatever you ''expect'' might not happen.

Your children might decide to move to the other side of the world or have their own health issues to deal with by the time you require care and not be able to offer you even basic support for all you know...

they can’t organise their own lives let alone advocate for an ailing parent
maybe that's their plan for not getting 'lumbered'?

What's your plan if your DC move to Australia? Or there's a falling out? Or they have an accident and need help themselves?

I really wish people would stop acting as though child free people 'haven't thought this through.' Its a huge decision, I respect your decision to reproduce, please respect mine instead of trying to find issues that you can 'aha' us on.

I'll go where I'm put.

My three children each have Autism and my middle child will be in a home long before I am. I'll look after myself thanks.

My Mother has four adult children. Two of us have no contact at all with her, one emigrated to the other side of the globe and there is only one left. She will just have to manage - being an abusive bitch all your life has consequences.

I work in this area. Be warm and friendly to your nieces and nephews! Lots step up. They then inherit so it’s a quid pro quo. If they don’t often neighbours step in. One chap had basically been adopted by his work colleagues daughter. He had been kind to her as a child and she basically treated him like a second dad he clearly adored her and she was very present now he was elderly. So sweet.

My mother needs care, she acknowledges this but refuses to have anyone help her or to go somewhere where she can be cared for therefore it falls to me.
She only resents and does not appreciate the care I provide and has caused me endless sleepless nights.
I have children but will absolutely not put them through the same and make them responsible for me.
It has made me determined to be proactive and timely in planning for my old age myself

I couldn't have kids, despite many years of trying.
I expect to work until I die. Not really joking.....