Lana Mountford
Coverage of Lana Mountford in the Nexus archive.
- The cost of long-term care keeps going up, and it's a growing problem for Americans of all ages
Eldercare costs have skyrocketed over the last three decades, leaving millions of Americans unprepared to cover expenses like nursing homes and assisted living. The financial strain is depleting family resources, forcing some families to quit jobs or use home equity to pay for care. These escalating costs are worsened by a critical shortage of caregivers due to factors such as pandemic-related exodus and immigration restrictions.
- I tried assisted living for $7,000 a month, but felt it was way too expensive. I bought a small home and now live on my own.
Lana Mountford, 74, moved from an assisted living facility costing $7,000 a month to a two-bedroom house in 2024 due to rising costs and health challenges. She now lives independently in Bellingham, Washington, with part-time care at $35 per hour, managing health issues including a brain tumor and blood clots.