Have you had to face your own fears about who is going to look after you?

I wonder about this too. I have on daughter. She lives 1000 miles away and is not all that receptive to taking care of people. I don't have much money and wouldn't be able to go to a nice assisted living center. I have step children. But why write about them, they don't even send their dad a birthday card. My niece lives a mile away from me and completely ignores me all the time. My sister wouldn't take the time to walk across the street to see me, so I am sure she would be out. I have some nice friends in my church. Esp a young couple who look after people. I used to worry about this but now try to go one moment at a time.

I heard from here from others to try n have long-term insurance if u can afford it. a nice retirement place sound great of course along the beach front. ;)

I have a 65 yr. old friend who is recovering from a brain injury. She has her husband to care for her (on FMLA) and good financial resources. But that's it, people are either too busy, sick themselves, too elderly to help, or just don't want to help. People they thought were friends didn't even visit her once in the hospital. Let's face what our society has become, your really on your own. Insurance doesn't cover a lot of necessary care. If you don't have money or someone able to really care for you, your really stuck in horrendous situation. Yes, it did scare me about if that would happen to me.

No. I don't need to. If I'm ever diagnosed with Alz, I off myself before I totally lose it. The end. I'd rather be dead than live with that, or put it on anybody else, especially my kids, through it.

im trying to simplify my life right now. living in the basement of my own home, have a renter upstairs. have thrown away everything but my clothes and tools / equiptment. im the opposite of a hoarder but just as crazy. aint going to live surrounded by plastic chinese crap. my son envisions a hardy row someday with his older brother when my estate of 10 bandanas and 5 beard berets is divided.

I honestly hope some of these responses don't happen. I have spent many years in the geriatric care field and usually when people get into their seventies psychologically they don't feel that they have reached old age yet and in fact the seventies are now still rather young as people these days are living into their nineties. For those who are talking about ending their life in their seventies, I believe (hopefully) that you will have a change of heart and find a better alternative.

Well, I am 54 and have no children,also I am an only child.After reading these comments I think in about 20yrs there is going to be an epidemic of seventy something women committing suicide.

Same here, but I have severe depression. I'm trying to figure out a way to take care of my Mom in another State. Neither of us have much money. Like Kedwards460, I will have to take matters into my own hands when the time comes. Roommate is not an option.

Macada,
You are so right! I have the bank representative to take care of both.

I'm with Jodysgirl. I have no kids, no money saved for a nice retirement community or anything close and I don't want to end up in some state run facility waiting for death to come and release me. I will take matters into my own hands.

igloo572 ,, I have always lived by myself and loved it, but the day is going to come when we need care and the choice of being on our own is not an option. I am going to try and pre-plan as much as possible I guess.

Im going to take a big shot of heroin at the age of 70

Whether your single or married, with or without kids, I think if you are female you have to plan on being by yourself if you live to late 80's or beyond. Being by yourself doesn't mean being alone and really you have to work to create new friends and interests as you age. It's important to - as KyCaregiver said - get a good advisor and do your paperwork.

Yoga, tai chi or pilates helps too!

What JessieBelle said. lol That's how I've always imagined things, too... :)

I don't have children either. People ask me all the time who is going to take care of me when I'm old. I have taken care of and still caring for parents and in-laws. I wouldn't wish that job on anyone! I do not want to be a burden on anyone!! Get a good advisor and do your paperwork. I will live in a senior home if unable to live on my own, although I hope to be a Golden Girl like JessieBelle :-)

OneMoreDay .. an executor is the person(s) who look after your estate after you die, the Power of Attorney is who looks after you while you are still alive.

Yes, I sometimes worry about this as I have no children. I have spoken to my niece and I don't really have confidence that she will be there for me so I have written my will so that my bank will be executor for my estate and that I will live with care givers until I must move to a facility, should I live that long. The fees are stiff to have a non-family executor, but I feel OK that I will be looked after.

My health is so-so, and I think I worry more about not outlasting my Mom.

Yes, I am in the same boat as you. I figured I would move to a senior community, maybe find some roommates and live like the Golden Girls. There's no reason that we old girls can't look out for each other.