Donate to Support Dick and Jan's Care

Late last spring our father, Richard (Dick) Mason, entered hospice with an aggressive and very fast-moving form of dementia. Over the last twelve months, he has lost his ability to walk, reposition his own body, eat on his own, and talk. Since then, our mom, us girls and extended family have shown up to ensure he gets the most compassionate and humane care possible while he is at the Lutheran Home, being there for every meal and visits each day. The process has been heartbreaking, but it is the best way we know how to love and care for such a deeply generous and beloved husband, father, friend and community member.

Dick's care at the Lutheran Home is $14,400 per month and it's not covered by insurance. That's a cost of $172,800 per year. Further, this April, our mom, Janet Mason, will undergo a desperately needed knee replacement, and we are all praying this process goes well and her recovery is smooth and strong. She rarely complains despite enduring a great deal of pain and preferred to postpone the surgery in order to continue caring for our Dad, but the need is so acute now that she needs the surgery as soon as possible.

Throughout the course of their lives, both our parents dedicated themselves to the service of others. For our dad, Dick, this was in his work as principal of St. Anthony’s and Holy Wisdom–schools that served numerous immigrant and low-income families. These schools offered a solid and steady path to excellent education and were caring, supportive communities that grew under his leadership. In his retirement, Richard found so many ways to build community within his home parish, Mother of Good Counsel (MGC), encouraging community, care for others and often fundraising (a perennial favorite, the Living Well Project). In his final year or two before getting diagnosed with dementia, he was passionate about building an adult ESL program together with fellow retired educators at his parish.

In Janet’s career as a geriatric nurse she spent her life caring for the low-income elderly and disabled throughout Milwaukee. This was demanding and often very stressful work, and Janet met each day with high levels of compassion, professionalism and a genuine desire to help take care of others. She also finds joy and meaning as an active member at MGC, serving in a leadership role for their St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and offering her love in many ways to the broader community.

And in their retirement, both Dick and Janet have absolutely relished their role as grandparents finding so much love and joy caring for their little brood while supporting their adult children as we scramble between work, childcare and all the many needs of families with little ones.

As the family prepares for Janet’s surgery, we know that Richard’s nursing home costs (not covered by insurance) will be a financial strain. By donating to Richard’s monthly nursing home bill, it will help offset some of Janet’s surgery and post-op care needs during this time. Losing someone to dementia is a prolonged and emotionally painful process that has been compounded with the physical pain of needing a knee replacement. Her dedicated sister, Nancy will be staying with her for the month of April as her in-home caregiver while us girls, our spouses and Janet’s brother, Jim, tend to Richard’s daily needs.

Our family is so grateful for anything you can give to support in this challenging time.

With Love and Gratitude,

Rachel & Brandon

Angie & Craig

Paula & Roberto

Liz & Jordan