For those with very small families

Worried_and_alone

Hello everyone, 

This might be a bit of a 'niche' topic, but I would like to hear from anyone who has a very small family. That is the situation I am in. My partner and I are both only children. We have no children of our own and are very unlikely to (we are on the older side).

I have a few friends, including one very good close friend, but that is all. 

I worry a lot for the future. If we face any issues as we age, there is nobody to help. Loneliness also seems somewhat inevitable.

I would just like to hear from anyone else in this situation. Is there anything specific you have done to address any concerns you might have. I try to save as much as possible to pay for any care we might need in the future, and for social connectivity, I am trying to make more friends, as well as being a good friend to others. I guess that's all we can do. 

El_Torro

There is support out there, either from charities or funded by the state. I have no idea how adequate this support is. For example organisations that arrange meals (especially for special occasions like Christmas). 

Short of going into a care home it is also possible to get help to visit you during the day, or even live in help if that's necessary. This isn't cheap if you have enough money to fund it yourself. 

There are also homes available for retirees. You buy the property and pay a service charge and in exchange people check up on you regularly and you can have communal meals with other retirees if you wish. From what I hear these tend to be very hard to sell, though if you're not too fussed about leaving an inheritance does it really matter?


So yeah, I appreciate that none of the above is ideal, though there are options for people who are getting older and don't have access to younger family members. 

Mands

Worried_and_alone said:

Hello everyone, 

This might be a bit of a 'niche' topic, but I would like to hear from anyone who has a very small family. That is the situation I am in. My partner and I are both only children. We have no children of our own and are very unlikely to (we are on the older side).

I have a few friends, including one very good close friend, but that is all. 

I worry a lot for the future. If we face any issues as we age, there is nobody to help. Loneliness also seems somewhat inevitable.

I would just like to hear from anyone else in this situation. Is there anything specific you have done to address any concerns you might have. I try to save as much as possible to pay for any care we might need in the future, and for social connectivity, I am trying to make more friends, as well as being a good friend to others. I guess that's all we can do. 

"I guess that's all we can do"

No, no it isn't. You could talk to a professional. As suggested, by multiple people on your previous threads. This obsession, calculating how many people might be at your funeral and similar, is absolutely not normal. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6596156/lack-of-family-and-fear-of-being-alone/p1

KxMx

I replied on your last thread, I do understand being in a similar position, and no things haven't gotten any better for me since then either! 

Bolstering your finances is a great positive, currently having a nightmare trying to get my Mum the care she needs as she has no assets. 

Unfortunately, I will be in the same position as I am unable to work. 

One thing I have decided on is to keep myself as healthy as possible within the context of my existing problems, so I can remain as independent as possible. 

I have also set up with local ambulance service the access code to my key safe. I believe this flags my address with the other emergency services too. 
It makes me feel safer being so alone.