Submitted by VeronicaIsMe t3_zufcl7 in personalfinance
Let me start off by giving a quick rundown of my concerns:
I (F22) am an only child to my parents (Mom is 62 and Dad is 60) who got started late in life. We lived in a trailer until I was about 7 years old, and then we started renting our very first home. Fast forward to now, they bought a home 4 years ago after downsizing drastically but they still won't ever be able to afford it. (We live in the Seattle area if that helps paint a picture). They both work very laborious jobs (tades) and their health is getting quite bad.
My mom was in the hospital and had 2 emergency operations last month. Since then, they've been admitting to me how truly depressed and scared they are. Not just for themselves, but for me. I am dealing with my own health issues and lost my career due to being unable to work. I don't have any money now either and rely heavily on my parents as they are my only family and support system. My dad told me that he's deeply sorry he wasn't able to send me to college and that I will have to find someone who is willing and financially able to care for me soon, because my parents won't be around much longer.
I am so scared of the future, and I feel like I'm the only 22 year old feeling the pressures of taking care of her aging parents while having no money and poor health myself. I don't know what to do. I wish my parents could stay home and take it easy as they deserve... Any advice helps.
Edit: I'm very emotional reading these responses. Thank you so much to everyone below, I am trying to read every single comment and reply to as many as I can. I have so much new information now and a place to start!