My parents sold their house and now live in Airbnbs; I'm worried

Last fall my mother was diagnosed with cancer and, soon after, my father had heart problems and ultimately suffered a stroke. He had to retire while recovering in the hospital. Once they recovered, they sold their home in Florida and began staying in short-term rentals—first near my family in Texas in a long-term Airbnb and, over time, in 15 Airbnbs.

As an only child in the sandwich generation, I found myself juggling young kids and aging parents. I felt like their therapist, estate planner, realtor, and case manager as I tried to understand what would happen after they sold the house and when I pressed them to make a plan.

They say they want stability and roots, and they dislike living out of suitcases—often calling hosts to shorten stays or move because they don’t like an area. Yet they aren’t having the conversations with each other.

United States, Florida, Texas

airbnb, short-term rentals, aging parents, sandwich generation, caregiving, estate planning, stroke, cancer diagnosis, retirement, long-term stay