Perhaps we just all got used to the world that we inhabited prior to the recent economy/job losses duo.Backed up by film tv soaps //I think here about Friends .

In my country many couples looked after aging parents..Many young people did not get married until a house was available to rent or stayed in the best room as lodgers within family here.until a downpayment was saved.Often moving to jobs where housing was a part of the deal..eg farming.. police... armed forces in order to marry...

in bygone days I note during geneaology research that once widowed the remaining parent was resident in a daughter or sons home.might be economic or infirmity but it is a repeating pattern..
house purchase is difficult for low wage earners so this may also be a factor.
adult family who never married stayed home becoming in turn carers.I can think of several older people in that catagory from church...lovely people of both genders