Concerned About My Future

by Susan
(Raleigh, NC)

I moved away to pursue a career when I was 20. When I was 40, my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. My two siblings lived in the same town as my mother but would not take any responsibility to care for her. When my mom could not live alone anymore, I left my promising career and moved back home to care for her. That was 10 years ago and still no help from siblings who live within 10 minutes of us. We rarely see them.

I am now 56 and do not work. When my mom needed me, I came. I did not think about the impact this might have on my retirement if she should live a long time. I take good care of her and she is still very strong and healthy physically. I am now wondering if I'll ever get a chance to work again and if not, if I'll have enough from social security to take care of me.

I have no children and know no one here. No social life at all. We barely live off my mom's social security. My siblings are enjoying their free lives doing whatever they want. It's not fair but this is what I signed up for. I couldn't just throw my mom to the side the way they did. She was more than good to us...even into adulthood.

Oh, one more thing...siblings sponged off of mom until she ran out of money to give.