Great article! I have almost the opposite problem with my dad. My mom always did everything from looking after the money (bills, investments...) to all the housework, painting/decorating, buying furniture as needed, arranging for repairs... Mom developed vascular dementia and had to be admitted to a long term care home after an emergency hospital admission in 2013 and dad thought I (being the eldest & living the closest) would just take over everything! I had to have a serious talk with him when the decision was made that mom wouldn't be returning home. I told dad if he wanted to remain in their house it was with my (& my siblings) full support but he would have to be able to cope on his own with some help from us. I told him he would have to make or arrange for most of his meals and do or hire somebody for the housework/laundry because I was not going to keep up 2 houses 25 miles apart, while (at the time) working full time in a physically demanding job. I arranged for Meals on Wheels for his dinners 5 nights a week and a cleaning lady for 2 hrs a week who also strips his bed and washes the sheets and towels. He hired a guy to clear the snow and cut the grass when walking distances became difficult. I taught dad how to use the washing machine and dryer as well as the microwave and his George Foreman grill and wrote instructions out on how long and what temperature to cook his favorite dishes.
Now at 88 years of age dad is physically deteriorating but thankfully his mind is still sharp. I look after making sure all the bills are paid either electronically or automatically from his bank account. Dad is very careful with his money, always thinking of ways to save a dollar. He is very hesitant to replace things that are broken or worn out as he thinks he needs to save his money for the future! I keep telling him he has more than enough money with his & mom's pensions, their investments and the value of the house and the acres of waterfront cottage property they also own to last him for decades even if he needs to go into an extended care facility.
~Diane