A daughter’s story

Robert Murdock ranched in a beautiful and remote Wyoming valley near the Idaho border about 70 miles south of Jackson Hole. For many years, he was the main caregiver for his beloved, chronically ill wife, Betty. A housekeeper helped out, but there were few elder services available.

Their daughter, Shauna, provided long-distance caregiving while her mom was alive, helping out when her dad needed respite or other support. But soon after Betty died, Murdock developed dementia. When Shauna realized her dad needed round-the-clock care himself, she moved to the ranch to become his full-time caregiver.

For more than two years Shauna devoted herself to keeping her dad safe and happy. During that time, she attempted moving with her dad to her brother’s empty condominium in Fort Collins, where needed services were available. It took 18 months of ferrying Murdock back and forth before the move became permanent, because Murdock would threaten to “hitchhike back home” to Star Valley — and Shauna knew he would die trying.

Throughout this period Shauna tried to get elder-care services and medical programs to help out. Her dad was assessed countless times by assisted living facilities, Medicare, Medicaid and hospice. Each time he didn’t qualify for the services she was hoping for.

“He had dementia, but he was physically healthy, and could put on a show for the 30 minutes-or-so of an assessment. After the assesser left, he’d collapse — have a mini-stroke, or just sit in his recliner for three days,” says Shauna.

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