Ever since I can remember, my mom (Diane Grothaus Jensen) has done what she can to take care of my sister and me. She worked hard to ensure we had what we needed even to the detriment of her own future. 

She now dedicates her time to being a care giver to seniors with Dementia. She loves her job and loves helping her patients. She has to work long hours and usually works 60 to 70 hours per week just to break even. She is paid only $10 per hour and; she does not get insurance, paid time off, a pension and does not make enough to build any savings. She also has multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. While her passion is commendable, I can see her body and mental fortitude declining due to stress and the long hours she works. It would be great if she could work less hours and lower expenses.

Currently she is close to 70 years of age, and the amount of the hours she works is not sustainable. She has had some rough times when her hours have been reduced due to a client passing or being moved to full time skilled nursing care. She grieves when she loses a client. During these times, on occasion, a few good friends or I have done what we can to help out until a new client come along. 

She lives alone with her 2 dogs, Lilly and Bella, and has few friends nearby, and I live about 150 miles south. I try to encourage and support her. I wish I could help her out more financially, however, I have my own family and expenses for which I am responsible. I worry about her quality of life as she gets older. 

She doesn't want to stop working (not that she can), but it would be great if she could work less hours. To do this, her expenses have to be reduced. She has an opportunity to move into a new low income community serving seniors that would provide many support services and offer a better quality of life. She'd have peers and community activities to help her remain social. Competition for these units is fierce. This may be her only opportunity to get in. There is an income threshold and she cannot exceed that income, but in order to pay debts she has to continue working many hours which puts her above the income threshold. She needs to greatly reduce her debts so that she can reduce her working hours.

I'm pleading for the kindness of others to help her. I'm trying to raise around $10,000 so that we could accomplish reducing her debts. This will also help to cover any moving expenses or fees associated with getting moved.

This move would not only provide her a chance to work less hours but also help to reduce her monthly expenses. Essentially allowing her to be semi retired. It would also allow her to take better care of her health and spend quality time with friends and family.

Everything that is good about me I feel I got from my mother. She has taught me empathy, pride in hard work, compassion, responsibility, etc. She deserves a break, a less stressful life, to be around her peers, and to do so in a safe, secure environment.

There is a meeting in 2 weeks to discuss if she can get into the community and where she will be on the waiting list. Units would be available in early 2018 so I'd assume funds would need to be paid by late November or early December.