The purpose of this fundraiser is to appeal to the hearts of empaths, to gather funds to keep Mrs. O living in the setting of her choice. Please read this story:

Mrs. O lives at Welcome Home, which is an assisted living home. There is round-the-clock care, and rotating staff. Being 101, Mrs. O needs this level of support. It is care that Laurie and Megan are unable to provide. Please know that Laurie and Megan considered everything to have Mrs. O live at home with them, but it was not feasible. People have suggested that she be placed somewhere where she'll have more income going in than coming out. In this small part of Vermont, that would mean a facility that would not meet her all of needs, would be an institutional setting, and might be far away considering what would be available. Mrs. O did spend some time in a setting like that once, and she was ready to die, in her own words. She told Laurie and Megan that she had no quality of life. It was true – she was eating, sleeping, and going to the bathroom. And her needs weren't being met. There was no life there.

Laurie and Megan found Welcome Home after quite a search! Mrs. O's quality of life soon peaked again, and she began to thrive. This has never faltered since she moved there in May 2017. Mrs. O, like anyone else, deserves to be happy and live her life the way she would like. This Home has been paramount to her health and happiness. Laurie and Megan just seek to keep her housed and happy there. Mrs. O has told them on many occasions that she receives good care and this is where she wants to live the rest of her life, and die peacefully someday. Knowing this, we can't take her from her home and put her in an institution because of financial problems.

When Mrs. O first moved in to Welcome Home, she had some of her own funds remaining to pay for her own cost of care. During this time, Laurie and Megan calculated how long her funds would last. During the entire time Mrs. O was paying for her own care, Megan started saving her income so there would be a pot of money, known as “Mrs. O's Care Account”, to help with payments. And so, when Mrs. O's money ran out, the new payment plan became this: Mrs. O's monthly income plus Megan's monthly income plus some money from the Care Account to cover the balance. In order to maximize Megan's income into the Care Account, Megan lives with Laurie. Laurie supports Megan so that Megan can financially support Mrs. O. While Megan and Laurie are quite good housemates, Megan at age 29 has not yet begun much of her adult life. This is because she cares more about making sure Mrs. O is supported and happy in her later years. Being older doesn't mean her life is worth anything less than those younger than her. Megan knows she has more life ahead of her, and can focus on herself after Mrs. O had lived out the rest of her life.

Welcome Home does not yet accept Medicaid/Choices for Care. The owner has been working hard to work toward state compliance regulations, and is in good standing with all the authorities on this matter. Until then, Welcome Home remains private pay.

At Welcome Home, residents' families and friends are always welcome. You can arrive at any time without notice, and never worry that you'll walk in and see your loved one neglected. There isn't a moment of that! It is constant care and love. That's all any of us could want, should we be so lucky to live as long as Mrs. O. And it's not just about living that long, because no one really expects to live to be over 100… it's about the love and quality of life that surround you. Not many older people have that. Mrs. O does. Please help us keep everything just this way.

The goal amount will help cover a significant amount of time at Welcome Home, to go toward her care and cost of living, besides what her small income and the family can provide.

There is no end date to this fundraiser, so please become a return donor! If you are able to contribute small amounts several times, that would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser publicly on your social media accounts in order to spread the word.

To help you get to know Mrs. O a little bit better, here is some information about her:

-- She enjoys visiting the local museum with family. She likes short walks, the outdoors, and has a very big appetite! Mrs. O loves to reminisce about her life with just about anybody! Her laugh is contagious, especially when she laughs at her own jokes or watches "The Golden Girls".

--In her younger years her hobbies included long drives, picking mushrooms & flowers, and cooking. She could also be found in her favorite chair reading biographies. Mrs. O has always loved nature and the animals that lived around her home, including moose, foxes, deer, and bears!

-- Mrs. O lost both her husband, Walter, and son, Dennis, to cancer. Her son's wife and step-daughter (Laurie and Megan) have always cared for her, even following her son's passing. Mrs. O has another living son who has abandoned her and refuses to help even though he is in a very good position to aid her financially.

Laurie and Megan gladly and lovingly continue to support Mrs. O emotionally as well, and have found her a home that does the same, and provides for her physical and medical needs too. Together, all three of them enjoy outings, dinner dates, and long visits.

Please help Laurie and Megan care for her. They promised her son, Dennis, that his mother would always be cared for and loved. They will never abandon Mrs. O, and your generosity will help to keep her life as good as it deserves to be.

On behalf of Mrs. O, the love and light of our lives, we thank you!

-Laurie Olszowy and Megan Durocher