My husband & I are 80 & my 58 y/o Daughter is in final stages of liver & colon cancer. But she is still independent & does not want to go to a facility since she is so young...but is having problems getting approved for an apartment on her disability income, tho she would be able to afford the rent. They want a co-signer and we certainly cannot sign such, at our age! To add to the problem, our house is too small for her to live with us. Any suggestions would really be appreciated.
Is she on Hospice?
Who would provide care for her if she is in an apartment?
Is she being realistic about what her future holds?
My condolences on this diagnosis for your daughter. Best of luck
If the parents can afford to make the rent per the lease then cosign. If it would put you in a financial bind then do not cosign.
I am sure you're familiar with the saying, 'You can't take it with you'. It's true, you really can't.
You and your husband are 80 years old. What are you saving it for at your age?
Yes, you can co-sign for her. My father co-signed a lease for an apartment when he was 86 years old. He also co-signed a car loan for his girlfriend at the age of 89 because she had bad credit.
Lealonnie1 lower on the thread is right. What matters is your daughter's last wishes and how she wants to spend her last days on earth.
Co-sign for the rent.
Try to get an idea of how long this current situation will last. If you can find a short-term lease for that period (6 months?), guaranteeing it may not be a big problem.
Where is your daughter living now?
If she has Medicare and Medicaid under the circumstances she may qualify for Medicaid in a NH with Hospice. I agree, as she declines she is going to need help she may not be able to get in an apt. Hospice in the home someone needs to be there for her.
We say to Caregivers don't use your money to care for a parent, you may need it in the future when you are older. Now your saying to people who are 80 that they should co-sign for a child. This person is responsible for the daughter's rent if she can't make it. Where I live, a 1 bedroom could cost way over a $1000. If OP and husband live on their SS alone, this could be detrimental to them. Your assuming they have the ability to take on this debt.
I suggest your daughter go to Social Services and tell them her situation. I understand she does not want to go to a NH situation but seems like she has no one who can help. She needs to find out what her options are.
Please let me ease your mind though. No one is asking these two 80-year olds to empty out their bank accounts. Their cancer-stricken daughter can pay her own rent as the OP mentions, but needs a co-signer for her new housing.
I don't know if you have any kids, but I would move heaven and earth for my son now. If he was terminally ill and needed a place to live I'd fight down the Devil himself and so would his father.
Tchamp, I am so shocked by your response that I was near speechless. About the daughter likely dying before the apartment lease is up. OMG, dude you are truly shameless.
So what if her two 80-year old parents lose some money. God help us all with the responses on this thread. Absolutely disgusting.
Pay it anyway. I can't even believe this is even a question.
Also, if the two 80-year olds are so worried about the possibility of having to pay something, they should contact the American Cancer Society. They actually have programs to help pay rent and other expenses for people with cancer.
Myself personally, if I was 80 years old I'd be too ashamed to hit them up as a protection in case I have to shell out a dime for my dying child's housing. Who knows? Maybe the OP wouldn't have a problem doing that.
What about searching for more places that don't require so much income to qualify that a co-signer is needed? Or places with lower rents?
Where is/was your daughter living before this? If she still has a place, can she stay there? Does it cost more? How much more? If you add in the cost of moving (packing, cleaning, movers, security deposit for new place, etc.), perhaps it's better to stay put.