Help a disabled vet with safe housing

Hi, my name is Stefanie and I am the daughter of Dan Dugan, a disabled USAF vet who suffers from chronic back pain and a progressive neurodegenerative disease called PSP or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

My dad served in 1980-1984 based mostly in Alamogordo New Mexico although he travelled the world in the Air Force. He was injured while loading a missile onto a plane, causing severe and chronic back and leg pain for the entirety of his life. This pain is making his current diagnosis that much harder to bear, with increased instability coupled with back pain and leg numbness, falls happen daily. What he would want you to know is his favorite thing to do in the whole world is go fishing and listen to rock and roll. My dad was once an awesome guitar player although he no longer has the dexterity to be able to play like he once did.

 

At the beginning of November, my father had a health emergency due to unsafe living conditions at home and was hospitalized for almost a month while trying to find safe housing for him. His PSP causes him to be incredibly unstable and falls happen almost daily. After weeks of working with a social worker at the VA hospital and being denied safe places to live that would be covered by the VA over and over, we ran out of options. After Thanksgiving, I decided to set up my home to take my dad in until we could find a longer-term solution.

We have had many instances in the home that highlight it is not the best setup for him and his safety, especially with it being a two-story home with showers upstairs. 

 

Prices of assisted living facilities range from 4k-7k+ a month. We have submitted to the VA a case in hopes to get dad to 100% disability and therefore have additional income, but currently, he is on a very limited income and unable to afford even the cheapest option, even with family support. The decision could take up to four months, but we'd like to get dad situated in a facility much sooner than that.

 

Our community has already supported us so much with cards, kind messages and a meal train. We appreciate all of you so much and thank you for taking a bit of the load off our family.