Caregiver Balances Full-Time Job and Stroke Recovery for Husband at Age 69

Carla Bacon, 69, recounts managing a full-time finance job in Oklahoma while serving as the primary caregiver for her 70-year-old husband, a stroke survivor. Both have experienced strokes; Bacon’s pontine hemorrhage occurred four and a half years ago, and her husband’s severe stroke happened two and a half years ago while he was at a cabin in Durango. She drove 14 hours to retrieve him, sold his cabin to cover expenses, and brought him home after a brief stay in a skilled nursing facility in Enid.

They now rely on outpatient therapy a mile from their house, but insurance only covers part of the cost, leaving them to pay a monthly copay and $5,000 for a CNA, plus $500 for supplies. Despite the financial strain and frequent appeals to insurers, Bacon continues to work, handle household duties, and provide evening and weekend care, hoping to reduce reliance on paid aides within the year.