Backstory: My MIL is a 62-year old, generally fearful (of all things), OCD, yoga-loving, first generation Chinese American. She immigrated to the U.S. (NYC) in her early twenties with her husband and had two boys (my husband and his brother - five years apart). Her husband basically abandoned the family when my DH was in middle school, leaving him to act as the "man of the house". Most of the paid work she has done has been under the table, but surprisingly (based on my understanding of her work history) she qualified for a minimum social security payment which she recently elected at 62 (approx. $400/mo). She speaks minimal English and although she has no verifiable (couldn't think of a better word) ailments, she is emotionally and physically frail (although she looks like a 40 year old fashionista).
About four years ago we relocated her from NYC to Portland, OR and got her set up in a cute little condo a mile down the road from our house. She was able to pay for the condo in cash (hallelujah!), but we provide her with an annual living stipend of $6K (she set the amount). My brother-in-law has also just recently started contributing $6K annually (he is younger and his schooling took longer). As annoying as my MIL can be, I love her to death for her frugal ways (I realize that may make me a bad person). She just today asked me to take her to the new senior community that is being constructed across the street from her, wanting to check out the prices. Sweet Jesus! A one-bedroom apartment for independent living is listed at $3K/mo; assisted living was listed at $3,500/mo.
Now to my question: anyone here financially supporting an aging parent? I'd love to hear what folks are doing in this regard as I'm largely unfamiliar with associated costs. This and healthcare are the big question marks in our otherwise nailed-down FIRE plan.