My sister who is 55 years old and suffering significantly from RA is now raising a step-great grandchild who is 3 or 4 years old.
Step-granddaughter caught into drugs, ultimatley heroin. Many opportunities to straighten up. Caught and arrested many times. My sister's husband paid over $10k for a rehab a year plus ago. She relapsed. Lost the kid and my sister and BIL are now attempting to raise a toddler. It is slowly killing both of them.
It is tough for a grandparent to find himself/herself in the position of surrogate parent when they are on the high side of 50, but the child is very lucky to have family members who care enough to step up and sacrifice themselves for the good of the child.
