Key facts
- Wendy Rowland, 53, is caring for her husband who has early-onset Lewy body dementia.
- Her husband is 59 and has been in a memory care facility for over two years.
- Rowland has exhausted her husband's 401(k) and sold their home.
- The monthly cost for his care facility is $6,750, with a price lock in place.
- Her husband receives $2,700 per month in disability payments after Medicare.
- Rowland returned to work after 20 years to help pay for care expenses.
Wendy Rowland, 53, has exhausted her husband's 401(k) and sold their home of over 20 years to cover the costs of his long-term care for early-onset Lewy body dementia. Her husband, 59, has been in a memory care facility for more than two years.
Rowland, who had been a stay-at-home mom, returned to work in her 50s to help manage the financial burden. The cost of the memory care facility is $6,750 per month, with a price lock in place. Her husband receives $2,700 per month in disability payments after Medicare deductions, which does not cover half of the facility's cost. Rowland also pays for his medicine, doctor visits, and personal care items not covered by Medicare.
She noted that information on navigating long-term care finances is scarce, often requiring consultation with an elder law attorney. Rowland expressed frustration with the situation, feeling angry about being in this position at her age, but acknowledged that resentment is difficult to change. She also highlighted the unpredictable nature of Lewy body dementia, which lacks distinct stages and can cause rapid changes in personality and behavior.
Rowland lives about three and a half hours away from her husband but visits him regularly. She has become more cautious about her own finances, recognizing the need for a nest egg, though she feels limited in her ability to prepare further at this stage of life.