I don’t think Moonmad27 meant that comment as a put down just saying it’s a life long job, sometimes.
Moonmad27 is correct with some cases of downs. Know lots of them. One is a man with downs who is 50, his mom is in her 80’s. When she dies don’t know what will happen to him. He does great with her but who will care for him when she gone?
He will likely go to a group home and adapt more easily than you think. It’s not like he will become homeless. He is probably more well adjusted than the people with mental illness who live on the streets.
My brother was starved of oxygen after his birth by a drunk doctor who did not aspirate (I hope that’s the right word) the mucus from his throat. He adapted to my mom’s death by mourning and I stepped in to give support. I will take care of him until he dies or I die. If I die first then he will most likely go to a home. I think he will do fine. It’s not a life sentence to care for someone with a disability. It’s difficult but there are a lot of pluses too.