Woman returns to work to afford husband's $5,000 monthly stroke care costs
Brenda Eicher-Beard, a 70-something former teacher in Virginia, quit her job after her husband suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke in January 2023, following an atypical Parkinson's diagnosis. She returned to work full-time as a reading specialist in fall 2024 to afford private caregiving costs of about $5,000 per month. Medicare covered initial rehabilitation and therapy but stopped after June 2025, leaving her to pay privately for a certified nursing assistant, physical therapy, and multiple caregivers. She uses proceeds from selling their Maryland home to supplement costs. The care includes $110/hour for exercise physiotherapy three times a week and $20-$29/hour for home health aides. She manages care from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. while working. The article highlights gaps in Medicare coverage for long-term care and the financial strain on families.
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