Sixty-four-year-old Myra Solano Garcia has a beautiful story about living with early-onset dementia and being an advocate for others, such as raising awareness for Latinos and other minorities with dementia.
Myra also volunteers at Hillcrest, a remarkable retirement community in La Verne. Hillcrest is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that encompasses many levels of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care, making aging in place a convenience for seniors.
Myra regularly visits and leads memory care residents in music therapy sessions inside the community chapel. Hillcrest holds a special place in Myra’s heart, as she was formerly the Chief Philanthropy Officer of the company until Oct. 2021, when she had to quit working.
The following quotes come from a feature article about Myra in AARP, published on Nov. 16, 2022: ‘“I sing for them and with them,” she says of the memory care residents. “I feel they’re my people. They’re way further along than I am, and it brings me joy to be able to help them.”
At times, when she’s with them, Garcia sees a reflection of her future.
“It’s going to be me … there’s no doubt,” she says. “We’re all going to go. It’s just a question of when and how, and this is my how. I don’t need to know the when. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and trying to be as viable as possible.”
In California, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to increase from 690,000 in 2020 to 840,000 in 2025, a 21.7% increase within five years. This statistic is an estimate from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Communities like Hillcrest Senior Living are looking to combat this statistic and provide an all-encompassing resource for families who are battling dementia.
Are you ready to find help for your loved one?
Contact us today to see how Hillcrest is leading the way as a continuing care retirement community in La Verne, CA.
