Dear family, friends, and community,

It is not always easy to reach out to ask for help and currently our family is humbly seeking for your support to assist Jim. Typically, people may financially plan for when they pass away. In a case where one falls gravely ill, we do not anticipate the financial needs involved to recover. This is one of those times. Anyone who know Jim and Mary know they are very loving and supportive people to everyone in their lives. In Jim’s lifetime he has helped many people and now needs help. My brother and I are reaching out to you all now to ask for charitable support.

In short, Jim suffered from a brain aneurysm, stroke and broken femur. In total he was hospitalized for 44 days. In that time, he underwent many tests/procedures and two major operations. Upon release from the hospital, he still requires further 24-hour respite care before he hopefully can return home.

Once a hospitalized patient is no longer in critical care and their major health concerns are considered stabilized, they are released from the hospital. Their care would continue at home and/or other options such as entering a long-term care (LTC) facility. It was always our family’s wish for Jim to come home. However, realistically with him being bed bound with less than 5% mobility on his left side, we should have been looking into a LTC facility. Mary is not able to care for him alone without additional in-home support. Yes, there are personal support workers who come into the home, but that is only twice a day (maximum average 30 minutes a visit). Home patients also receive physio and occupational therapy in home, but this to is limited (only 17 sessions at 30 minute per session until used/average twice a week). After a stoke, within the first year is the most critical time for recovery.

The cost for respite care outside of the home is quite costly. Here is an idea of some of the current costs Jim & Mary need to cover:

Retirement home room rent $1920/month

Respite care at retirement home (includes assistance with mobility, on call doctor, RPN to administer medication, continence care & supplies, meals/delivery to room and assisted, hospital bed) $3247/month

Non emergency ambulance transfers for appointments (average one way) $145

Wheelchair rental $250/month etc...

Our family continues daily to give him extra rehabilitation support with his physical/mental health care. However, there is a long road ahead for us to get him what he needs. With your consideration for a charitable donation to Jim and Mary it will help with some of the financial burdens they currently face. Since Jim and Mary are both only receiving old age security and CPP our family is seeking your support in the form of a charitable donation to help cover additional costs until Jim can come home and/or enter a LTC facility. Donations can be made via Go Fund Me and/or directly to Jim and Mary (please contact me directly for their information).

With love and gratitude,

Jim, Mary, Tracy, Aaron, and family