The hidden price of dementia caregiving: $120,000 out-of-pocket

John Nuar cared for his father with dementia in Michigan from 2017–2019 at home before moving him to memory care; rising private-pay costs and limited public aid led them to pay about $120,000 out of pocket. After a period with relatives in Virginia, his father returned to private memory care in Michigan, where costs climbed from roughly $4,200 to $6,600 per month until his death in 2024. The piece highlights the emotional and financial toll of dementia care and urges proactive planning—maxing HSAs for long-term care, completing advance directives and wills—to prepare for future needs.