Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out with a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit. One of my really good friend’s mom, Barb, was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago. As the disease has progressed, it’s reached a point where she now requires consistent in-home health care to stay safe. She needs care to help with meals, making sure she is taking the correct medications at the correct times, basic household chores, and companionship. Barb is very uncomfortable alone and often gets scared, so we are trying to provide as much care as we can to make sure she is as comfortable as possible and well taken care of.

My friend, Tanya, has been doing everything she can—such as juggling a full-time job, caring for her family, and trying to care for Barb, all at the same time. But as anyone who’s gone through this knows, dementia care is emotionally exhausting and financially overwhelming. The cost of in-home health care is incredibly high, even short-term. In home health care is currently costing $35-$50/hour depending how long the caregiver is there. Tanya tries to have someone there a few hours in the morning and a few hours at night to make sure medications are taken appropriately. To have a caregiver there for three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening, seven days a week, the cost is $1,470. That's on top of Barb's rent, electricity, groceries, etc. With her inability to work, the cost has fallen on Tanya, Trista, Alec, and Barb's mom. All while having their own children and families to support. The cost of living is expensive enough for one household, let alone paying for two households.

She is currently in the process of getting long-term support in place, but right now, they’re in a gap period—and she needs help.

I’m humbly asking for any support you can give to help cover the cost of her mom’s in-home care over the next couple months. Every dollar will go directly toward Barb’s care, ensuring she gets the safety, dignity, and attention she deserves during this incredibly difficult stage. We are hoping to raise this money to just get them through the basic costs until there is availability in a skilled care facility.

If you're unable to give, please consider sharing this with others. And just keeping them in your thoughts means more than you know.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of Tanya and her family, thank you so much for your support and consideration.

Shannon