Program Helps Woman Provide Elder Care

Why this is here: Tucker’s mother qualified for a program where co-pays were zero, despite receiving only $994 monthly from Social Security and having no savings.

Natalie Tucker of Maryland and New Jersey discovered a program offering free elder care for her mother in northern Virginia. Tucker worried about affording care after her mother fell multiple times and struggled with medication. Costs for in-home aides ran $34 to $38 per hour, while assisted living facilities cost $3,000 to $5,000 monthly.

Her mother, a retired cashier receiving $994 in Social Security, qualified for Cherry Blossom PACE, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. The program provides services like adult day care, medical care, and transportation.

Tucker reports her mother enjoys the program’s activities and feels a renewed sense of independence. The PACE program relieved financial and emotional stress for the family.

The article does not detail the long-term sustainability of the program or its availability in other locations. Continued support and expansion of such programs remain necessary.