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August 12, 2011

Aging Without Children

How childless adults should approach their later years is a question that surfaces with some frequency among readers and commenters here. It’s true, as many attest, that being a parent doesn’t guarantee elder care. But it’s also true that the bulk of America’s old people are, in fact, cared for primarily by relatives: spouses first, then adult children.

“Children are a good insurance policy,” said Merril Silverstein, a prominent gerontologist at the University of Southern California. “In some other countries, that’s why people have children. Here, though it’s less certain, it’s still a pretty good bet.”

via Aging Without Children – NYTimes.com.

posted to Elder Care/Family Decision Making,Mediation @ 12:44 pm

1 comment

  • At 2:08 pm on August 29, 2011, Jeanne Gumbleton commented:

    It is definately something that needs to be considered. One of our bloggers has put considerable thoughts into not having children. There are many options for elder care as you get older. http://bit.ly/qJyQQ9

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Years Later, Divorce Complicates Caregiving | home | Some argue it’s time to legally recognize the bond of friendship