At 80, he’s still working—just to pay his late wife’s $80,000 hospital debt
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At 80 years old, Gary Saling should be retired.
Instead, he bags groceries at a local store to pay off $80,000 in medical debt.
The bills stem from caring for his late wife, Carol, who died after battling a rare form of dementia.
Gary’s story highlights the growing crisis of medical debt in America—and what it could mean for your future.
Carol was diagnosed with Sundowner’s syndrome in 2017, a severe form of dementia that worsens in the evening.
Gary promised to care for her at home, never placing her in a facility.
“There is no way I’m a hero. I am not an angel, and I’m certainly not a saint. I made the promise to keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home because I took vows,” Gary told KSBY News.
While Medicare handled Carol’s neurology appointments, it didn’t pay for home care, medications, or other essentials.
The out-of-pocket costs mounted fast, leaving Gary with $80,000 in unpaid bills after her death.
“The neurology was covered by Medicare. What wasn’t covered was the promise that I would keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home,” he said.
Gary’s work ethic started early—he held three jobs in high school, including grocery bagging in Laguna Beach.
He rose to become an architect on Architectural Digest’s top 100 list, designing multi-billion-dollar projects. After Carol’s death, he returned to the grocery store, this time out of financial necessity.
Also read: This mother's airline experience will make you rethink air travel with medical needs
“I saw Gary bagging groceries, and I thought, ‘What’s this guy? Why is this elderly man still here?’” said Duana Johnson, a local shopper who met him at the store.
Johnson launched a fundraiser to help Gary retire. “I’m trying to raise enough money for him to be able to retire and not have to worry about working anymore,” she told KSBY News.
The campaign has raised around $2,000 so far but needs more to erase Gary’s debt. The community is now rallying to give him the peace he deserves.
Gary’s story is one example of a national trend.
Many skip care or go on long-term payment plans just to manage. Costs often remain unclear until it’s too late to prepare.
Medical bills can be negotiated, and itemized bills often reveal errors. Experts recommend asking about discounts and explaining your financial situation.
“Many hospitals open to negotiation, and you can request a discount based on your financial situation,” said Andy Schoonover, founder of CrowdHealth.
It’s also worth applying for payment plans and charity care under the Affordable Care Act.
Also read: On Medicare and headed out of town? What to know before a medical emergency hits
Don’t overlook Medicare, Medicaid, or local aid programs.
Contact your Area Agency on Aging or a Medicare counselor to check eligibility.
“People are encouraged to look into programs like Medicare and Medicare which may cover a significant portion of your expenses,” Schoonover said.
Taking the first step can make the burden easier to manage.
Read next: Is your credit score suffering? Here’s how Biden’s new rule could help wipe out your medical debt!
We want to hear from you. Have you or someone you know struggled to pay off hospital bills or long-term care expenses? What tips or resources helped? Share your advice in the comments below—your experience might help someone else get through a tough time.
Instead, he bags groceries at a local store to pay off $80,000 in medical debt.
The bills stem from caring for his late wife, Carol, who died after battling a rare form of dementia.
Gary’s story highlights the growing crisis of medical debt in America—and what it could mean for your future.
Carol was diagnosed with Sundowner’s syndrome in 2017, a severe form of dementia that worsens in the evening.
Gary promised to care for her at home, never placing her in a facility.
“There is no way I’m a hero. I am not an angel, and I’m certainly not a saint. I made the promise to keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home because I took vows,” Gary told KSBY News.
While Medicare handled Carol’s neurology appointments, it didn’t pay for home care, medications, or other essentials.
The out-of-pocket costs mounted fast, leaving Gary with $80,000 in unpaid bills after her death.
“The neurology was covered by Medicare. What wasn’t covered was the promise that I would keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home,” he said.
Gary’s work ethic started early—he held three jobs in high school, including grocery bagging in Laguna Beach.
He rose to become an architect on Architectural Digest’s top 100 list, designing multi-billion-dollar projects. After Carol’s death, he returned to the grocery store, this time out of financial necessity.
Also read: This mother's airline experience will make you rethink air travel with medical needs
“I saw Gary bagging groceries, and I thought, ‘What’s this guy? Why is this elderly man still here?’” said Duana Johnson, a local shopper who met him at the store.
Johnson launched a fundraiser to help Gary retire. “I’m trying to raise enough money for him to be able to retire and not have to worry about working anymore,” she told KSBY News.
The campaign has raised around $2,000 so far but needs more to erase Gary’s debt. The community is now rallying to give him the peace he deserves.
Gary’s story is one example of a national trend.
Many skip care or go on long-term payment plans just to manage. Costs often remain unclear until it’s too late to prepare.
Medical bills can be negotiated, and itemized bills often reveal errors. Experts recommend asking about discounts and explaining your financial situation.
“Many hospitals open to negotiation, and you can request a discount based on your financial situation,” said Andy Schoonover, founder of CrowdHealth.
It’s also worth applying for payment plans and charity care under the Affordable Care Act.
Also read: On Medicare and headed out of town? What to know before a medical emergency hits
Don’t overlook Medicare, Medicaid, or local aid programs.
Contact your Area Agency on Aging or a Medicare counselor to check eligibility.
“People are encouraged to look into programs like Medicare and Medicare which may cover a significant portion of your expenses,” Schoonover said.
Taking the first step can make the burden easier to manage.
Read next: Is your credit score suffering? Here’s how Biden’s new rule could help wipe out your medical debt!
