My husbands parents have finally been convinced, perhpas coerced, into giving up the family home. They are both in their 80s. The big house is too expensive and too much to manage. The kids worry about what if. What if one should die, then the other clearly not manage alone in the big house. So they are looking to downsize most likely to senior housing of some sort.
The question is where should they relocate. The parents currently live in Maryland. My sister in law lives 20 minutes away. She is called on occassionally to drive to doctor appointments and help with other small tasks. The assumption is that they will move somewhere near her.
My husband and I live in California. My mother-in-law would love to live in California. She has friends here and the weather is much easier on her. My father-in-law will be happy where ever his wife is happiest. But my husband is reluctant to investigate this option. So here is my question.
Should parents locate near a daughter (my sisters say yes)? Are sons less capable of providing the kind of support parents need?
