Hospice Care for Jim

Only a few short years ago, my stepfather Jim was diagnosed with a severely aggressive form of Alzheimer's. At only 67 years old, the disease has progressed quickly to the point that he is now unable to use his most basic motor functions and is bedridden in hospice care, no longer able to even remember his wife's name. He is now deep in the end stage of this disease and we are all heartbroken.

 

While caring for Jim, my mother Yvette has been dealing with her own share of medical issues. In May of last year, she was airlifted to an ICU where after suffering from septic shock, her heart briefly stopped. She is now dealing with her own medical recovery and a number of long lasting issues which have rendered her unable to currently lead a normal life - although she is much better from being on death's door, she still has a long journey ahead of her. Thus, she cannot work, and can barely get by, let alone afford the added assistance not covered by free hospice care provided by North Carolina where they currently reside. They do not qualify for Medicaid and have depleted their savings throughout this whole illness.

 

This has made it increasingly difficult to care for Jim in this final stage. It is imperative that my mom is able to make it to her doctors appointments in order to fully heal from her previous health crisis but it is becoming near impossible with needing to be by Jim's side all day.

 

We are all doing what we can. What we are asking for is financial assistance in hiring a full time home health care aide, because as his condition worsens, it is becoming more and more difficult for my mother to give Jim the care he needs with the dignity he deserves.

 

This is a cruel disease with no cure. We do not know how much longer he has with us, and he will need constant care as his condition worsens each and every day. All we can hope for is that his days in hospice are comfortable. The only solution at this point is extra outside help in the form of more aid than typical hospice allows, as he can not be left alone without supervision, and the assistance provided currently is simply not enough. My mom simply needs more help in caring for him, which is unfathomably costly.

 

Jim has given me decades of support and raised me, my brothers, and my step-siblings the best he could. He has been one of the greatest heroes in my life and I believe that I owe this to him.

 

I am humbly asking my community to help me give the same support and care to my Mom and Jim that they have given us since childhood. Any amount will go a long way.

 

Thank you for reading