Alzheimer's: A Long Goodbye to Mom
Donation protected
I’m appealing on behalf of my very brave friend Daryl and his mom, Gwendolyn, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in March 2011. Initially, the finances related to Mother Gwendolyn’s care were manageable with Daryl working two jobs and bearing sole responsibility. But due to Daryl having lost his job late last year, things have changed and the situation is now dire. Doors have been shut at every turn and options are seemingly non-existent. Both of their savings have been depleted. She doesn’t qualify for Medicaid. Charities indicate that they're able to only offer her placement on long waiting lists. Daryl continues to struggle to find work--hopefully enough to make ends meet as well as pay for a home attendant to allow him to do so. And, most importantly, the house is at risk of foreclosure.
After 22 years of Daryl living in New York with a solid career, Mother Gwendolyn started exhibiting signs of the disease in 2008. At that time, with her living alone in North Carolina and with very few surviving relatives, Daryl’s visits back home became more frequent and urgent. He took on a second job to help pay the bills she could no longer afford before finally moving home to take care of her full time. For the first year-and-a-half of returning home, he was able to commute to his job in New York for three days every week while paying 100% out-of-pocket all of his travel expenses and a home attendant while away. As his mother’s sole caretaker, he’s blogged about this journey here.
Because Mother Gwendolyn is Medicaid-ineligible (for both in-home attendant care and long-term nursing home stays), all expenses toward her care are to be paid solely by Daryl. He continues to look for work that’ll enable him to afford a sitter during his work hours since Mother Gwendolyn can no longer be left alone.
Worse, the County is threatening to foreclose on the house due to problems with the reverse mortgage company’s payment of the property taxes. Couple that with his mother’s 12-year-old car constantly breaking down and the two of them living ONLY on his mother’s meager monthly social security check, it is utterly amazing that he is able to lovingly tend to her Alzheimer’s-related needs while not outwardly panicking amidst this financial tsunami.
Any contributions will go immediately to three things:
1) the property taxes to avoid foreclosure.
2) defraying the costs of much-needed car repairs.
3) offsetting the costs of a temporary in-home attendant.
Your generosity, in any amount, is a blessing. However, if you are unable to assist financially at this time, we appreciate any resourceful information you might have. And we especially appreciate your prayers.
God bless,
Keith A. Randall.
After 22 years of Daryl living in New York with a solid career, Mother Gwendolyn started exhibiting signs of the disease in 2008. At that time, with her living alone in North Carolina and with very few surviving relatives, Daryl’s visits back home became more frequent and urgent. He took on a second job to help pay the bills she could no longer afford before finally moving home to take care of her full time. For the first year-and-a-half of returning home, he was able to commute to his job in New York for three days every week while paying 100% out-of-pocket all of his travel expenses and a home attendant while away. As his mother’s sole caretaker, he’s blogged about this journey here.
Because Mother Gwendolyn is Medicaid-ineligible (for both in-home attendant care and long-term nursing home stays), all expenses toward her care are to be paid solely by Daryl. He continues to look for work that’ll enable him to afford a sitter during his work hours since Mother Gwendolyn can no longer be left alone.
Worse, the County is threatening to foreclose on the house due to problems with the reverse mortgage company’s payment of the property taxes. Couple that with his mother’s 12-year-old car constantly breaking down and the two of them living ONLY on his mother’s meager monthly social security check, it is utterly amazing that he is able to lovingly tend to her Alzheimer’s-related needs while not outwardly panicking amidst this financial tsunami.
Any contributions will go immediately to three things:
1) the property taxes to avoid foreclosure.
2) defraying the costs of much-needed car repairs.
3) offsetting the costs of a temporary in-home attendant.
Your generosity, in any amount, is a blessing. However, if you are unable to assist financially at this time, we appreciate any resourceful information you might have. And we especially appreciate your prayers.
God bless,
Keith A. Randall.
Organizer
Daryl T Sturgis
Organizer
Winston-Salem, NC