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[1] Could it work? - Here in rural Wisconsin? Chuck and Sharon Zimmer's plan for their golden years⁽¹⁾ was interrupted.
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[2] When the tech came out, she shook my hand and she said, "The doctor's going to call you." My gut was saying, "He's got Alzheimer's." - Anything else you want to do in between?
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[3] In 2018, the Zimmer's impending retirement was rocked by that diagnosis. Sharon left her job one year shy of⁽²⁾ her 65th birthday, determined to take care of Chuck at home.
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[4] "Everything that we worked hard for is going back into his care." - So you retired from your job to take on another job that is not paid? - "Correct, so we saw our savings dwindle and dwindle and dwindle."
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[5] Their financial burden is common, and top of mind for many voters in swing states like Wisconsin.
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[6] Where 580,000 unpaid family caregivers spend an average of $77,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs, according to AARP.
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[7] The tally is even higher for families caring for someone with dementia, more than $240,000 in the last seven years of life.
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[8] "Look at the bluffs way over there." - To say nothing of lost income when a partner like Sharon leaves a job to take care of a loved one.
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[9] "We're kind of like your one-stop shop." - Kelsey Flock helps families connect with local resources. - "If your loved one is diagnosed younger, they're losing their retirement, they're losing their income, maybe losing the primary caregiver's health insurance."
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[10] No wonder, among women voters 50 and older, the cost of living, including retirement savings and caregiving duties, tops concerns.
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[11] Six years since Chuck's diagnosis, the bills pile up. Medicare covers his medications, but not nursing home or in-home care.
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[12] They spend up to $1,440 a month for a private aide, but that's just three visits, three days a week. Then there's transportation and home security.
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[13] "If Chuck is out there getting the mail, and I'm like, that should be like a minute to come back in, and he's not, I can pull it up on my phone."
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[14] In fact, the Zimmers recently packed up the home they loved. They're downsizing to an apartment to save money. - "Put that in there."
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[15] But 41 years married. "What's this remind you of?" - "Golf." - They live without regrets."
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[16] "This was Kentucky Derby right after Chuck was diagnosed." - And they cherish memories as best they can.
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[17] "When the money is gone, and he passes away, and I did the best that I could, and I kept him home, I'm okay being broke. I'm okay saying the state's going to take care of you now, because I did the best I could."
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[18] Lester, Vice President Kamala Harris recently proposed expanding medicare to include in-home elder care.
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[19] And the Trump campaign says his economic agenda would lower prices and eliminate taxes on Social Security to help seniors and their caregivers.
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[20] A story that's going to resonate in a lot of living rooms tonight. Thank you, Christine.
