Help Clara stay in Memory Care

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Hi, my name is Ester, and I am fundraising for my elderly mother, Clara, to allow her to continue living in her current Memory Care facility.

Clara is 91 years old and has severe dementia and short-term memory loss. Our family went through many crazy, heartbreaking, and challenging struggles with her as her diagnosis worsened, but we finally moved her into a Memory Care facility nine months ago. Sadly, she is just about to run out of her entire savings to cover the monthly fees. We will be forced to move her in December if we can’t raise enough to cover her rent there.

As you might know, Memory Care in the United States is all private-pay, and the costs are prohibitive - anywhere from $5000 to $10,000 a month!! A colossal failure of the United States insurance system is the complete lack of memory care coverage. Private insurance does not cover any of the expenses. Medicare does NOT cover any of the living expenses. Long-term care insurance was only an option if one purchased it decades before having any medical diagnosis. We even tried four times to get Clara coverage for home health care and hospice care, and she was denied every time because of her excellent physical health. Memory Care, although debilitating, is just not covered.

My mom was an intelligent, adorable person with a wonderful sense of humor. Her laugh was contagious, her stories about growing up in Hungary are astonishing, and everyone who knew her loved her immediately. Dementia and memory loss changed her into an almost unrecognizable person, but her Hungarian strength and personality started shining again after two months of living in Memory Care. She finally gets the care and attention she needs at this facility. The caretakers are kind, patient, and professionally trained for precisely the kind of mental health care she needs.

When my mom runs out of money, she will qualify for Medicaid. But Memory Care facilities do not accept Medicaid, so she will be forced to move elsewhere unless she gets help with the monthly costs. The change will once again be devastating to her stability.

Once a person is on Medicaid, here in Texas the only option is Skilled Nursing, which is not the right place for her. Skilled Nursing is for severe rehabilitation or near-end-of-life care. Mom does not fit either of those categories. Despite her old age and memory loss, Clara is in excellent physical health - she walks without any assistance, dresses and feeds herself, and remains remarkably independent from nursing and doctor care. If it weren't for the cruel disease of dementia and memory loss, Clara would still be a vibrant, fun-loving, wise elder with so much more love to give.

It took two months, but she is finally more peaceful living at SoCo Memory Care. Moving her again would devastate her mental health and stability all over again, not to mention that forcing her to a new place unsuitable for her special needs feels inhumane.

All donated funds will be used exclusively to pay for the monthly fees at SoCo Memory Care, which are currently $4000 per month. It will allow Clara to stay in a place where she finally feels safe and finally recognizes as "home." The caretakers know her well and understand her now, so keeping her stable in this facility is the kindest, most respectful thing we want to do for her well-being and dignity.