Hi, my name is Nick. I am the next-of-kin for my aunt and uncle who live in Richmond, IN. My aunt has advanced stage Alzheimer's/dementia and has been in a home since last summer. It was determined that my aunt and uncle had too many assets, so she was denied Medicare assistance. The cost of her care is $10,000 a month. They were not wealthy people. They lived in a small house which they did own and were on a fixed income. My uncle had talked about selling the house and living in his truck. They did not have any children. I am their closest living relative. My uncle passed away this past week. In large part, I believe, due to the stress of costs taking care of my aunt.

If I could have helped them I would. But I am a struggling (former) adjunct college professor, who like 70 percent of college professors in the States, was part-time which means there was no job security or benefits. There is also an enrollment crisis so I saw my annual class load go from 22 classes a year to eight. I watched my life savings evaporate before my eyes, and when I could no longer support myself, I moved from California where I had been teaching back to Denver to live in my best-friend's basement.

Last summer, I decided to take a risk. I took an early retirement so I could complete a teacher training course in the UK where they have a crisis of getting and keeping teachers qualified in the area I can teach, religious education, which is compulsory in UK schools. As an international student, I have had to pay for everything on my own, but I am attempting to make a new life for myself where I can support myself. My funds are incredibly limited. At the time of my uncle's death, I had $5,000 in the bank to cover me until I finish my program in July. That money needed to cove rent, food, and transportation.

My uncle did not have any funeral arrangements, so I had to pay for his cremation which was a little over $1,000. I did discover that my uncle had bought a single plot and headstone for he and my aunt, but it has an outstanding balance of $1300. As of last October, he owed the nursing home where my aunt is $40,000. According to his latest bank statement, he had $5,000 total in savings and checking. I am also the executor for their estate. Probate in Indiana requires that I hire a probate attorney which usually runs between $250 to $500 an hour. I do not have the money to cover the remaining balance on the headstone, the costs owed to the nursing home, or the cost of hiring a probate lawyer.

Since I am in London and on a student visa, I am unable to fly back to Indiana. There are strict governmental guidelines on attendance for international students. Plus, I cannot afford to fly back at this time anyway. My aunt and uncle's neighbor is helping as much as she can, but the house needs to be cleared out, assessed, and put on the market. It is a small house on the outskirts of Richmond, so I don't think it will sell for much. Eventually, my aunt should be eligible for Medicare to cover the cost of her stay in the home, but it will take time to get there.

So I need help. I need funds to help cover the costs of a probate attorney, the headstone and cemetery plot, and all other fees associated with the probate. I also need help getting money to pay what is owed the nursing home. I do not know as of yet what other outstanding bills they may have.

My aunt and uncle were good people. My aunt was a larger presence in my childhood than my own mother. Much of the man I am today is because of her. They were not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination and that they were denied Medicare for my aunt's care is criminal. This does not happen in civilized countries.

So please, help if you can. Any remaining funds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association.