Childless people who grow old and sick

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worry about this with my BIL. He has no spouse or children. We are his only family and live far away. Also, he has an extremely frustrating and obstinate personality so caring for him in his old age will likely be a thankless task.

I worry for his sake and also for ours. We only have one child and no way is she taking on her uncle in addition to her parents. We are working hard to make sure she does not need to care for us in our old age (plenty of money set aside for retirement and end of life, plus living wills and other things in place so she doesn't have to make decisions on her own. We don't want to burden her. But I really don't want her to wind up having to provide this kind of care to her uncle. I just don't know what to do about it.

+1. I have the same BIL. He is very difficult and wasn’t very nice to our only child so they have no relationship. He will have to pay for his old age care: He once told me his wish is to die broke so while he is wealthy now, he will likely have to spend it all on his old age. There is a family history of dementia and living into their 90ties so he will likely get his wish of dying broke…. And alone.