Miguel and his wife Irma live in Skagit County and have spent the past twenty-one years together. Three years ago, Irma broke one ankle and dislocated the other. Her ability to accomplish daily tasks has been affected ever since the injuries, and Miguel has stopped working outside the home so he can be her full-time caregiver. 

Before her injury, Irma had a variety of jobs, including as an agricultural worker and as a caregiver for both children and elderly adults. Miguel worked in maintenance at a refinery.

Irma needed surgery because of her injury and spent two months recovering at a nursing home. When she was finally able to return home, she required a wheelchair, which she still uses. Miguel left his job to care for her, and while he still volunteers as a local radio host, he’s considering leaving that too, to make sure Irma gets all the support she needs. 

“It's really hard and a big responsibility to provide long-term care,” says Miguel. Although he gets some caregiving support from Irma’s daughter (his stepdaughter), he is providing most of Irma’s care—helping her bathe, dress, and manage medications; taking her to various doctor appointments; and preparing meals for the two of them.

Luckily, Irma qualifies for Medicare and Medicaid, which has helped offset some of the expenses related to her care. Still, the rising cost of living is worrisome, and they have struggled to make ends meet, sometimes relying on food banks and rent assistance to get by.  “Everything requires dollars and cents,” says Miguel. 

Like many retirees in Washington who are living on fixed incomes and trying to afford the long-term care they need, Miguel and Irma are struggling. Miguel believes WA Cares will help people like them in the future access long-term care they otherwise couldn’t. 

“WA Cares will be a phenomenal help. A serious solution,” says Miguel.

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