The interview was conducted with John Nuar (34), who lives in Canton Michigan. Nuar, who lives in Canton, Michigan with his dementia-stricken father from 2017 until 2019, built his own home. He then moved in with his older brother. In 2024, he passed away after three years of living in memory care. The interview was edited to make it shorter and clearer.
In Michigan, I am a supply chain manager for an auto company. Since my early 20s I’ve been caring for my dad. Around 2015, when my dad was nearing the end of his 60s, he began to have memory problems. In 2017, we decided that he would need more help and wanted to move in with me, my wife, and our son. Due to hip problems, he couldn’t climb stairs. He was fine with my dad moving in. It was important to make it clear that we didn’t want him losing his independence and that he could still do the difficult things.
The builders said it would be six or seven months before they finished. My wife and me signed a contract in January 2017 for the current house. Our other home was sold at the end August so we had a full month to prepare for our move. The house wasn’t finished when we moved in, so I, my wife and our dogs lived with my sister, her children and my father, who was constantly getting lost.
In a few cases, we noticed that he had been on the opposite side of Detroit while his phone was being tracked. When I called him to ask where he was, he didn’t know. He said that he would return home.
I moved my dad in with me
In late October, we finally moved into our home.
He would have breakfast with us in the morning and dinner at night. During the day, he was on his own. Our team was on top of all his medication, as we filled his pillboxes regularly and monitored everything.
He hit our garage in March 2019 and did not tell us. My wife confronted my husband about this while I was away on business. My wife decided it was no longer safe for him drive, and took away the keys.
Public transportation is scarce in our city. He would forget that the bus was going to pick him up when we dropped him at the church. We had to call an Uber. If I had known what I know now, we would have never bought our house.
He was caught on camera.
Both of us were at work the entire day, so we used as much technology as possible to enhance things. In the house, we’d install cameras so that we could watch what he did. We could remotely unlock his door if he got locked out. He had an automated door handle. He wandered three times, the last being 15 miles. I was called to pick him up by a church friend.
We realised that he would not be able to live with us and not be at home all the time. Our options were investigated. There’s a voucher system in Michigan but his income was too high to be eligible. The PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which is funded by Medicare and Medicaid did not work for us. It would have been helpful to know how Medicaid is treated in different states, as it could have affected where we lived.
Some nursing homes were too expensive for us
We hadn’t discussed what would be done with his end of life care early in his career, and so were unsure about his wishes. It would have been better if I’d done it before the crisis became more severe. With advanced dementia, I tried to communicate with him in a way that was easy to understand.
We didn’t want to put him into a nursing facility, so we had no choice but to pay privately for all of his expenses. The money he had left was also not a lot. He was unable to find a nursing home that could take him. The higher-rated homes didn’t offer Medicaid beds, so we were forced to pay $10k a month for a bed.
My aunt and uncle in Virginia agreed to house him because their home is in an area that’s easily accessible. It was summer 2019. They got him an assistant after two months. Then another one as he became increasingly confused. The two-year stay was not unusual. Both are in the medical profession, yet they deferred all medical and financial decision-making to me. They did walk me through many decisions.
We tried to take my aunt and Uncle out for a weekend at least once a month. In early 2021 they told me that he had passed the stage where homecare was no longer a viable option.
In the end, we put him into a memory care facility in Michigan that was only available to those who paid. We found one offering generous incentives for people because it was the peak of the pandemic. We paid the difference in cost between his $300/month pension and Social Security.
Overall, the facility was good. In his first year, he was constantly falling. He became wheelchair-bound after that. We were under a great deal of pressure and anxiety every time the facility called.
After our daughter was born, six months after he was there, there was constant tension in asking, “Should he be put into a State facility?” Does he get any benefit from memory care? He was there just over three years when he passed away.
I paid out $120,000 of my own pocket
My wife and I have paid a total of $120,000 in cash. Initially, this was around $1,500, and then it grew to $3,500. It was initially $4,200 per month when he started memory care. However, this increased to $6,600 by the time he finished. It was partially due to the rising cost and partly his increased care. His wheelchair was rented for $175 per month and his Medicare Supplement cost $326.
We didn’t need to adjust our parenting because our income increased during his time with us. Family members helped us a great deal with the childcare. It was a constant source of anxiety for me to not save this money. I would calculate that if I had saved $3,000 today, it would have been worth $80,000 after 30 years. But I would not change anything.
The number one thing I tell people is to max out their HSA for long-term care expenses. The first thing I tell people to do is maximize their HSAs for long-term expenses. Our kids should not have to experience the same thing as we did with my father.
We both have wills and advanced healthcare directives that are fully completed. This way, we know what to do if anything were to occur. Also, I am preparing myself for the possibility that I may not be able to work at 50 due to a disability. We have both been frugal.

Bryan Johnson, a former CEO of a tech company who is now famous for biohacking, claims to have autoimmune gastrotritis. He says his stomach “eats itself”.
Johnson shared a post on social media June 30 revealing he had been diagnosed with the disease in May, but he is not sure how long it has lasted.
He said that no condition is incurable just because nobody has tried to treat it.
Johnson updates his followers regularly with the latest techniques for delaying death and decreasing biological age. Critics question the methods, which include daily supplements, a hyperbaric chamber at home, and other methods costing $2 million per annum.
What you need to know about this condition
What is auto-immune gastritis (AG)?
According to Mayo Clinic, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach’s lining) is a form of gastritis. It occurs when the body attacks the cells of your stomach’s lining.
The clinic explained that “this reaction could wear down your stomach’s protective layer.”
Gastritis symptoms
Mayo Clinic says that while gastritis may not always be accompanied by symptoms, it can cause:
Feeling full in the upper abdomen after eating
Intense indigestion or discomfort in the upper abdomen, such as a burning or gnawing pain
Nausea
Vomiting
What is autoimmune gastroenteritis?
According to the Global Autoimmune Institute the exact cause is not known, but it appears that genetics, age, and gut microbiome play a part.
According to Mayo Clinic, autoimmune gastroenteritis can be more prevalent in those with autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s disease or type 1 diabetes. It is also associated with a vitamin B-12 shortage.
Johnson stated in his blog that he had a past history of thyroid autoimmune disease.
Can you treat autoimmune gastritis?
A cure is not available for autoimmune gastroenteritis. Johnson writes that “medicine treats it as a condition to be managed, not solved.” He adds, however, that he and his colleagues “will try to solve” this condition using “experimental methods we intend to create”.
Global Autoimmune Institute confirmed that there is no cure currently for autoimmune gastroenteritis. The organization states that treatment is focused on relieving symptoms, regulating anemia and changing lifestyles.
The organization says that researchers are working on new treatments to prevent stomach inflammation and atrophy, as well as reduce their progression.

State health officials issued new recommendations for preventing foodborne illness as cases of parasites continue to increase rapidly in Southeast Michigan.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported that the number of cases of cyclosporiasis rose from 170 in June to 572 on July 4.
Monroe, Lenawee and Washtenaw counties continue to have the most cases. Shiawassee County, Jackson County, Oakland, Livingston, Jackson and Livingston are also amongst those with more. MDHHS has been working to find a cause.
Michigan Health Official Breaks Down the Scope of the Fast-Moving Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
What is the cyclosporiasis disease?
The small intestine is infected by the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis.
A stool sample can be tested by healthcare providers to diagnose illness.
Infected people can experience diarrhea that is watery and may be accompanied by frequent, explosive bowel movements.
If the disease isn’t treated, it can last anywhere from a couple of days to a whole month. The symptoms could return.
The average time between becoming infected and becoming sick is one week, but it can vary from as little as two days up to two weeks.
In the US outbreaks of Cyclosporiasis are linked to fresh fruits and vegetables. Cyclospora can be transmitted more than one time.
Click here to learn more about cyclosporiasis. Michigan Health officials are investigating an outbreak and trying to identify the symptoms.
According to health officials, the food items listed below have previously been linked with Cyclospora outbreaks across the United States and Canada.
Bagged salad kits and mixes (pre-cut blends of lettuce with romaine iceberg red cabbage carrots).
Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves)
Basil fresh
Raspberries
Snow peas
Green onion (scallions).
If you have symptoms of cyclosporiasis, it is important to consult your healthcare provider.
Make recommendations
MDHHS published a list on 6 July of recommended practices for preparing, processing, or serving raw fruits, in restaurants, and commercial kitchens.
Officials from the Department of Health advised that you should take these steps to minimize your exposure risk:
Leafy greens/lettuce: Purchase whole heads of lettuce instead of prewashed or bagged salad mixes. Remove the outer two layers of the leaves, and then wash the inner leaves with running water. Cooking is the best option for leafy greens.
Cilantro and basil: Separate the leaves under running water. Cooked is the safest.
Wash thoroughly with running water. Trim off the roots and the outer layers. Cooked onions are safer.
The parasite may hide in tiny crevices. When cooked, they are safer (pies and jams). You can also use frozen raspberries (freezing will reduce parasites, but not eliminate them).
Snow peas should be washed under running water. Rub the surface. Cooked snow peas are the safest.
MDHHS stated that the recommendations were essential for those who are at a greater risk of dehydration, or have an immune system that is weakened, including patients on chemotherapy and organ transplants, as well as infants, young children, and older people.
Food practices and general rules
Officials from the Department of Health said that the best way to prevent the disease is to wash and cook all produce, including fresh fruit, under running clean water.
Reminders about food safety
According to MDHHS, here are some food safety reminders:

It can be difficult to navigate the aisles of your local pharmacy or grocery store after you’ve done some doomscrolling (not the best thing to start with). Can you find anything that won’t increase your cancer risk on the shelf? Is it possible to feel confident in your skin and not worry about cancer?
Yes, you should, but having the right information is still crucial so that your decisions are based not on fear, but rather facts. The world is not the best place to get accurate, nuanced health advice.
“With the abundance of information across social media and the entire internet, real scientific evidence can be diluted across the multitudes of opinion and misinformation,” Dr. Adeel Khan, MD, an academic hematologist/oncologist and epidemiologist in Dallas, tells Parade.
There’s not much that you can do about your cancer risks, but understanding what you can control can make you feel empowered.
Dr. Khan says, “There are things that we can and cannot control.” Dr. Khan says that modifiable cancer risk factors include the avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and industrial chemicals as well as radiation.
According to him, while age, genes, race, and ethnicity, or previous exposures are not under our control, there may be some future exposures lurking around our bathroom. The one product that oncologists urge people to get rid of, along with healthier alternatives.
Sign up for Parade’s Health Newsletter to receive expert-approved health tips and news, as well as healthy eats and exercises.
Cancerologists are begging you to throw out the one item in your bathroom cabinet.
Three oncologists are in agreement that talc powders should be avoided, as they can cause cancer, particularly if they contain asbestos. Talc, a mineral that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust, is composed of magnesium silicon and oxygen.
Parade reports that “it has been used in baby powders, deodorizing powders, and body powders for years because it reduces friction, absorbs moisture and gives a smoother texture.” Dr. Sudarsan Kollimuttathuillam is a medical oncologist with City of Hope Orange County.
He also adds that talc powders can be found in blushes, eyeshadows and face powders. In 2024, the World Health Organization classified talc’s carcinogenic potential for humans as probable.
The evidence is sufficient for scientists to study the risks. Dr. Kollimuttathuillam clarifies.
It’s not the talc that’s the problem, it’s how and where (and when) it is mined.
The primary controversy around these powders is that they can contain asbestos naturally, which is a carcinogen. This occurs because the minerals are mined close together. Dr. Ami Vaidya MD, co-chief at John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, says.
It can be difficult to choose products because of the contamination risks and even regulations regarding labeling. According to Dr. Khan, there is “no safe dosage” of talc powders. He says that cosmetic-grade talc should be asbestos-free. However, contamination is documented and any presence of asbestos causes concern.
The Oncologists are urging people to stop doing this one thing in the shower
How can talc powder affect your body?
The biggest worry for oncologists about talc powders comes from the fact that the mineral is frequently contaminated by asbestos due to the proximity of the mines. Asbestos is known to be a carcinogen, says Dr. Vaidya.
“When inhaled, these asbestos-contaminated particles can lodge in the lungs and cause inflammation that leads to mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer for which the link is very strong,” Dr. Vaidya says.
Dr. Vaidya also adds there is a concern over the possible link between ovarian and asbestos-containing powders.
The connection between genital contact and ovaries is still debated, but Dr. Vaidya says that the theory holds true.
Vaidya also notes that there is a less conclusive link between endometrial and lung cancer, which mostly affects talc workers. Still, she points out that the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies asbestos-contaminated talc as “carcinogenic to humans” and the genital use of talc as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
This sounds frightening, particularly if you have been using powders based on talc for many years.
Khan, Dr. says, “you are not the only one who has used talc powder. It was popular for many decades.” Dr. Khan says that previous exposures are irreversible, but you can avoid future ones. If you still use talc powder it might be worth reconsidering.
Cancer doctors are urging women to stop using this common hair product
Other Alternatives to Talc Powder
It’s impossible to change the past and stop using talc powders. But you can choose what products you apply on your skin in future. Dr. Vaidya offers a list of alternatives to talc powders which do not appear to be cancer-causing.
Cornstarch. The fine powder that is produced from the corn endosperm. It’s inexpensive, easy to buy and absorbent. Dr. Vaidya agrees. It is the main and most direct replacement for talc both in commercial baby powders as well as body powders used by adults. She notes that it effectively prevents chafing and keeps the skin dry.
Arrowroot powder. This plant-based powder, which is light, soft and fine, is loved by many for its gentleness and absorbency. Many natural and organic products prefer arrowroot because they perceive it as more “natural” or premium than cornstarch, he says. It also has a smooth, silky texture.
Powdered rice starch. This fine powder, as its name suggests, is milled from rice. It has been used in Asian beauty rituals for many centuries. It is great at absorbing moisture and oil, so it is often used in makeup finishing powders. It leaves the skin with a matte, smooth finish.
The Next Step:
Cancer doctors are urging people to throw out this common laundry product
Sources:
Dr. Adeel Khan, MD, an academic hematologist/oncologist and epidemiologist in Dallas
Ami Vaidya is the co-chief at Hackensack University Medical Center’s John Theurer Cancer Center of the division for gynecologic cancer.
Dr. Sudarsan Kollmuttathuillam is a medical oncologist with City of Hope Orange County.
Volume 136. Talc and Acrylonitrile. International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Mesothelioma: Causes, risk factors, and prevention. American Cancer Society.
IARC Monographs assess the cancerogenicity of acrylonitrile and Talc. IARC Monographs Volume 136.
Cancerogenicity of Talc and Acrylonitrile Lancet Oncology.
Talcum Powder Cancer American Cancer Society

Links in this article may be sponsored by Yahoo and Parade Pets.
Parents dread receiving a call from their child or a note. You are being informed by the school administration that your child has acted in a certain way. You must now address the issue to stop it happening again.
The same things can happen to our pets when they’re at “school” and on play dates. Moose, the Golden Retriever, got into some trouble, both literally and figuratively. It was all because of a daycare pool.
In @madelinecw_’s TikTok, Moose looked into the camera and seemed to be saying, “I didn’t do anything wrong.” The video revealed the real truth.
The on-screen message explained: “Gotta get a note from my dog’s daycare report card that he had fought with his buddies today to share the pool,”
The evidence was in the form of several photos that showed the greedy Golden occupying the whole length and breadth of the pool. From the sidelines, his friends realized that they would not be getting their turn. Moose showed no remorse in his expression.
Moose, despite being chastised by his parents for his selfishness at school, continued to play around with his friends and family. He broke a common rule.
The caption said: “This is also kibble in bed when sheet washing day comes.”
Followers rushed to defend Moose, believing he had been unfairly treated.
He’s an old boy. That’s rude. “Body shaming doesn’t need to be done,” an opponent argued.
Another person said, “Not his mistake. He’s innocent. The pool needs to be larger.”
A follower said, “In his defence, I can see other pools open in the distance.”
Someone suggested, “He has a pool reserved for him.”
They didn’t show that anyone was waiting for it. Why would he have to leave? A fan made the point.
Related: Golden Retriever puppy turns into a “sleepy marshmallow” when it’s time for bed
What To Look For In A Good Doggie Daycare
Make sure you consider some important factors when choosing a dog daycare. Included in the questions to ask are:
It is clean and well organized.
Is it a secure fence?
Are there any dangerous objects in the room, such as electrical wires or damaged toys?
Is it a good size with minimal smells, and at the right temperature?
Does the staff have enough time to provide daily mental and/or physical stimulation for all dogs?
Are they able to offer regular communication with you?
How much training did the employees receive?
You should consider these factors before making a final decision. Moose seems to be quite happy at the doggie daycare, even if it does need a larger pool.
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