Kathy, Family Caregiver, 51 Las Vegas, NV

I don’t usually write letters like this, but I saw your post and wanted to share my story. It’s rough, and I don’t think it’s my fault. Two years ago, my mom had a stroke. I used all my FMLA time trying to take care of her, hoping she’d recover enough to live on her own again. She didn’t. When the leave ran out, I lost my job. Now I’m making about half of what I used to, and my husband’s income hasn’t gone up in years. We had to move her into our house, but we can’t give her the care she really needs. I’m trying to find assistance, but the costs are astronomical to get her into assisted living how does anyone afford that? My siblings live too far away to help, so it’s just me and my husband juggling her care, our jobs, and the bills. I hate to say it, but I don’t know how much longer we can support her and keep afloat.

Eli’s Response: Kathy, caregiving shouldn’t be a path to financial ruin. The fact that families have to bankrupt themselves just to keep loved ones safe is proof our system is failing. We need a national approach to long-term care, one that shares the burden, values caregivers, and makes sure families like yours aren’t left alone to figure it out.