1A Best Of: The Financial Burden Of Caregiving
Dec 24, 2025
Emily Peck, a National correspondent at Axios, discusses the alarming rise in in-home care costs significantly outpacing inflation. Financial columnist Beth Pensker shares her insights on the emotional and financial burdens caregivers face, recounting personal experiences with her mother's care. Dana Lynn Rutherford offers her unique perspective as a caregiver for her disabled daughter, revealing the challenges of navigating state support and financial planning. Together, they explore the systemic changes needed to ease the financial strain on caregivers.
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A Year Of Care Costing Nearly $300K
- Dana Lynn Rutherford described her daughter Millie's complex needs and the state's role in covering care.
- She reported total care costs near $293,000 for a fiscal year, mostly covered by California and Medicaid.
Escalating Weekly Care Bills
- Beth Pensker paid for 24-7 caregiving that began at roughly $3,000 a week and rose later.
- Long-term care insurance and savings covered much, but costs peaked over $4,000 monthly before her mother's death.
Keep Ready Funds For Immediate Bills
- Preserve emergency access to funds for urgent care-related payments like insurance premiums.
- Reimbursements can take months, so avoid tapping retirement unless absolutely necessary.