Similar situation with me. My folks are 87 and 89 and will not budge from their home. My sister lives next to them and feels like a prisoner sometimes. I retired in June after 30 years of teaching elementary school. If I'm gone for just two weeks I hear about how lonely they get when no one is around, etc. I remind her that it was their choice to build a house back in the woods away from everyone. They traveled in a motor home for several years, a month or more at a time, and have been to several continents I will never make it to. I feel that it's now my turn but I get the guilt trip put on me when I leave. My partner and I bought a place in Florida four years ago and I'm determined to spend quite a bit of the winter there. I give my sister time away when she asks for it to try to be fair to her and so she can keep her sanity.
My mother claims that no one has to stay home on their account but they really are in assisted living - assisted by my sister and me. There is no other way they could still be at home. I don't feel too guilty leaving them, but I do feel guilty about my sister being stuck there. Don't know how long this will go on but I will just have to remind them that they had their turn and I need mine while my health lets me enjoy camping, other travel, and time in Florida. With my partner being 11 years older than me, I may have to be taking care of him in 10 years so I'll take whatever time I can get now. People tell me the same thing I've read here - go. I'll try to keep it balanced and keep everybody happy.
