My father's last days...

Hi, my name is Emily and I am creating this to help ease the financial burden that is coming with my father's end of life.

For a bit of background to those of you who might not know me directly- my parents have been divorced since I was 14 and since then my father has basically lived a very isolated and off the grid lifestyle (ie: no landline, no internet, no contact). He hasn't been doing well health wise for some time, but I was not privy to how severe it was until about one month ago. It has been clear to me from the moment I laid eyes on him that my Papa was not going to get better and needed to be on hospice but since I didn’t have power of attorney and other family was making decisions about his care I kept hitting many walls.

Yesterday at the 12th hour I was finally able to obtain medical power of attorney, stop yet another unnecessary surgery that he most likely wouldn’t have survived, and will be carrying out my fathers wishes which is to leave the hospital and go home on hospice.

My beautiful and amazing mother (his ex wife) has graciously stepped up to care for my dad during his last days. When we asked my dad if he would like to come home and have my mom take care of him he got the biggest smile and said “that sounds wonderful to be with both of you.” This is such a full circle moment for my mom and dad and I and despite the circumstances we are so honored to provide my father the dignity, care and love he deserves during his last days.

But this is where I need help. Costs are racking up quickly and my mom is putting everything on credit cards. I am so worried about the debt she is going to incur during this process when all she’s trying to do is out of the goodness of her heart. So far we have spent almost $1000 on notaries, the ambulance transport tomorrow to get him to us and supplies that hospice doesn’t cover. And this is just the beginning. Once he passes we will need to purchase a cremation plan as none of these things are in place and we had no idea this would fall on us.

I really have had to put my pride aside to ask for help, but I’m a single mom who simply doesn’t have the margin for all of this. My mom is retired on a limited income and already takes care of her mother who is 96 and has dementia, now adding her dying ex-husband to her plate of responsibility. Please help me help my mom. She deserves the world and my family will be eternally grateful for anything you can contribute. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts truly.

Emily