Exactly - Whatever people spend on their kids could instead be spent on savings for older age or care needs. And even if kids are around to do it, why would anyone want to do that to their children? It isn't like watching your parents deteriorate is easy, psychologically, and it often isn't easy for parents to accept that such a burden is now on their children, either. Add the intimate nature of care that is sometimes necessary (bathing, for example, or wiping), and a whole extra layer of mental anguish is added. It's kinder and far less awkward to have a professional do much of what some parents think their kids will do.