Help Tracy and Richard Keep Their Home

My name is Tracy Cathers. I live in a rented home with my brother Richard, and until recently (May 2025), our mother, Maria Cathers.

Our mom was 83 and had Alzheimer's. She was being cared for by my brother, Richard. He was her official caregiver through the Pennsylvania Waiver Program which provides at-home care, services and supplies for sick or elderly family members. My brother was paid by the state to be her caregiver. She has had health issues along with Alzheimer's that required assistance standing and walking, bathing, changing her clothes and incontinence underwear. As her illness progressed in the current year, she became less able to do basic things such as feeding herself so we helped her with that. Her mind quickly declined until she no could longer remember our names and was unable to speak clearly. She started calling us by the names of her own siblings and sometimes regressed into her childhood. She became very fragile. Even though someone you love may become lost, confused and scared-hug them, let them know they are safe and loved where they are.

When she passed away, both my brother’s and her income were no longer there to pay for basic bills for the household. There is now only my income (Social Security) to pay for rent, utilities, gas money and food. Prior to our current home, our family had many instances of poverty and displacement. We don’t live in an extravagant home. It’s a very simple, small and modest rental. Even though we don’t own it, it is our home in every other sense of the word. We have been here almost 17 years and have been very fortunate to have a kind landlord. He probably wouldn’t like it but even he would have to evict us if we could not afford the rent anymore as he still has to pay the property and school taxes. We have always been hardworking and responsible–some of the values our mother instilled in us and have always covered our rent first thing each month.

We can rectify our income situation but it would probably take at least 3 months to do that. In addition to the basic bills, we also have to cover the funeral home bill ($2,870). If we had enough to pay for that and to cover the rent ($1,100/mo.) for three months, we would be able to make it and stay here. I think we could manage if we were able to raise $6,000. My mother did not have life insurance.

I’m terrified. So is my brother. We have experienced displacement and homelessness in our past only now we’re in our 60s and I don’t think we could recover if we lost this place.

I hate this. Not only do we very much miss our mother (she was a loving, nurturing and supportive person) but there are still bills to consider. I wish we didn’t have to think of money problems when all we want to do is to mourn her passing.

My mother experienced a great deal of difficulty and hardship in her life through no fault of her own but she was always there for us. No matter what was happening, no matter how much she was working and what she was handling, she spent time with us, taught us and showed us how to love. No one could ask for a better mother.

We love and miss you mom.