Her heart must go on
The cost of elder care has skyrocketed. Medicine, health aids, hospitals, physical therapy, convalescent homes and in-home all have to be accounted for. Thus, it’s expensive to be old and have any of the inevitable health issues that come with the golden years. Unfortunately, all of this comes at a time when America is made up of the highest percentage of people over the age of 55 in its history, this appears to be an inopportune trend. I foresee more payday loans and debt relief than ever.
But America isn’t the only place where elder care costs are astronomical. England is suffering, and Millvina Dean is one of many feeling the sting. Fortunately for her, she has Leonard DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in her corner.
Millvina Dean is the last Titanic survivor
Marion McMullen reports for the Coventry Telegraph that actors Winslet and DiCaprio, who co-starred in the 1997 James Cameron film epic “Titanic,” have contributed money to help Millvina Dean pay her nursing home fees.
Oscar winner Winslet, 33, and DiCaprio, 34, were approached by a charity to help the 97-year-old Dean. James Cameron also made a donation. Dean was nine weeks old when the liner sank in April 1912. More than 1,500 lives were lost.
It is believed that the trio have donated $30,000 toward Dean’s bills
See? I told you it’s expensive
Since injuring her hip a few years ago, Millvina Dean has lived in a nursing home. In April, as things bills began to stack up, she auctioned off some of her personal belongings and memorabilia from the Titanic disaster. Yet that wasn’t enough to pay her $4,537.80 per month nursing home bill.
Winslet, DiCaprio and Cameron’s money has helped launch the Millvina Fund. The main office is in Belfast, Ireland, the city where the Titanic ocean liner was built.
The gauntlet has been thrown down
Irish author Don Mullan, a friend of Millvina Dean, approached the stars for their support. He’s also produced a limited edition photograph which depicts Millvina signing a small card for an collector. The photograph is selling for about $665, and all proceeds go to the Millvina Fund.
“I laid down the challenge to the Titanic actors and directors to support the Millvina Fund, and I was delighted with the generosity they have shown in meeting that challenge. To date, 30 copies of the print have been sold and I am confident that the support of stars such as Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio will help boost interest in the prints and ensure they will sell. I am also determined to enlist the support of Celine Dion, who sang the theme tune from Titanic.”
A person in history
Millvina Dean was the Titanic’s youngest passenger. Her father died saving the lives of his wife and two children. The family returned from New York to Southampton, where Millvina has spent most of her days.
Belfast Titanic Society member Una Reilly added:
As the last living survivor from the most famous ship in the world, Millvina Dean has a very special place in the annals of Northern Ireland’s history and, indeed, across the globe.
We are delighted to officially launch the Millvina Fund today. We felt it was an important initiative after hearing from Millvina how the stress and strains of having to pay her nursing fees was forcing her to sell Titanic memorabilia to raise funds.
The kindness of celebrities can be a blessing, but we can’t all depend on such things. It’s heartwarming to know that Millvina Dean will remain in good care as she lives out her days, but what about us? What role will payday loans and debt relief play in our future? Will we turn to them when it comes time to help a loved one in need?
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What a wonderful thing they’re doing. I am definitely touched. Our elders are in need of help. Many retirees are returning to work (if they’re lucky) and/or are selling everything they own to make it to the next month, just to end right back where they started. There seem to be no stable grounds for retirement anymore.