[quote=zzz]I absolutely agree you should take care of your parents when they are old. Sometimes its easier said than done. How do you do this if there are huge financial obligations that come with it? Let me pose a scenario. Lets say healthcare costs / illness has bankrupted your parents financially. How far do you go with your finances to support your parents? Do you allow their illness to bankrupt you? Short of bankrupting you, how much would you give up and sacrifice for them?[/quote]

Your parents can always go on Medical if they are staying in a nursing home and essentially live there for free. If they qualify for Medicaire, it pays for the first 90 days and then they become a Medical patient. As long as your parents have less than $1,000 in their bank account they qualify for free long term care. They actually have something called Medical spend down that helps patients spend a few thousand dollars if they are close to the $1,000 limit. They buy a flat screen for their room and then do not have to pay.
My husband runs the #1 nursing home in San Diego rated by U.S. News and World Report. They give great care and a few others out there do as well. Honestly my parents took care of their parents and that is what I plan to do. And will do everything I can to make that happen. But in a case where you really couldn’t afford to take care of them, or they need short term rehab the govt will step up and help out.
My husband is actually thinking of creating a website that outlines all of the possible options that you have from a cost perspective and a care perspective. There are Nursing Homes, Assisted Livings, Board and Cares, private in house, etc. I think it would be invaluable information for anyone who is planning on taking care of their parents.