My name is Stephen. This is my 87-year-old mother, May. My father passed away suddenly on January 24th, 2026. My parents were married for 67 years. They met on a blind date for a Valentine's Day dance in 1958. It was love at first sight, and they were married later that same year.

Sadly, my father was scammed out of thousands of dollars. He also did not save nearly enough to sustain my mother. She has no investments, minimal savings, and no equity in her home. Her caregiver expenses (even with some insurance) run into the thousands of dollars every month.

Mom suffers from MCI, a catchy phrase for dementia. She has no short-term memory. If someone gives condolences on the loss of her husband, I need to sit with her (every time) and painfully explain his illness, death, and funeral.

I would like to keep her in her home of 34 years, with her loving cat Mia of nearly 14 years, for the remainder of her life but her expenses cost vastly more than her meager social security income.

There has been much in the news about "wealthy seniors" and "generational wealth." The reality is more nuanced and frequently the opposite. Medications are expensive. Utilities are expensive. Insurance is expensive. For my mother in a condo, the HOA fees are exorbitant. She has nowhere else to live. I want to give her a minimal quality of life. When her time comes to leave this earth, I want her to die with dignity.

This fundraiser is a plea for whatever you can donate to help her and to help me. We are not looking to get wealthy. We are seeking to maintain a life with dignity.

My mother was a social worker for 30 years. She has a degree in gerontology. She spent her working life trying to better the lives of seniors and grant them the respect they deserve. I suppose it's a full circle now.

Thank you.

With gratitude,

Stephen