Oleish Abdullah is in hospice care, facing fast-progressing dementia. His son, Abdulrahim, has been his primary caretaker and has navigated a series of hardships since moving to the United States during the COVID pandemic. Abdulrahim was granted a green card in 2022, but soon after was diagnosed with lung cancer. The illness and subsequent surgery have left him disabled and unable to work, and his disability claim is still pending. Despite these challenges, Abdulrahim has continued to care for both his parents.
The family’s most urgent challenge is housing. Their lease expired on April 1, 2026, and Abdulrahim is behind on rent and attorney’s fees from a previous housing issue. A nonprofit aid organization has offered to help with future rental costs, but Abdulrahim’s landlord will only accept a new rental agreement if back rent is paid first. Without this, Abdulrahim could face eviction, putting Oleish’s hospice care and wellbeing at risk.
Oleish’s situation is made even more difficult by recent changes to Medicaid eligibility, which now prevent non-citizens from accessing full-time nursing home care. A nurse at Swedish Hospital shared that Oleish is the first person in the state to be denied care due to citizenship status.
The family expects Oleish has only a few months left, and Abdulrahim’s greatest wish is to secure a short-term rental so his father can spend his remaining time in peace and dignity. Your support will help cover the back rent and legal fees, unlock additional aid, and ensure Oleish can stay in his home with hospice care. Please help us give Oleish and his family the stability and compassion they deserve.
***

