Marisela Diaz was a caregiver long before her mother-in-law, Concepcion Ochoa de Diaz, was diagnosed with Alzhiemer’s in 2017.  She’d previously taken care of her aunt with cancer, her mother with diabetes, and an older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Friend, with dementia. When her mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Marisela felt she was the most obvious choice to stay home and take care of her. “At the time, everyone else in the family was working, so we brought her into our home, and I took on the role of primary caregiver.”  

Marisela and her husband, Julio, have been married 43 years and have three adult children with families of their own.  She credits the resources made available to her through Alzheimer’s Los Angeles for helping her understand how to better take care of Concepcion. “I learned so much from Angie Moran, my care counselor. We went to all the classes and workshops – I participated in everything I could.” 

Marisela brought that same energy to her cohort at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles. “Marisela has gone above and beyond,” says her Care Counselor Angie Moran. “She would take it upon herself to take additional classes offered by her doctor’s office and share that information with her support group members.  She helps other caregivers with resources when applying for conservatorship or with insurance issues and is a fierce advocate for Alzheimer’s Los Angeles in the community.”  

When asked about this, Marisela said “I’m the type of person that – if I have knowledge that is helpful for others – I will make sure to share that information with them.”  In fact, she credits her husband for his willingness to learn how to be a better care partner and supporter for his mother. Eventually, with her help, he was able to step up to help take care of Concepcion. “He became a better person when he learned how to take care of his mom.”  

Even when they were able to receive support from other family members, they found it difficult to disconnect from their responsibilities at home. “We’d go out to dinner or to the movies, but it wasn’t comfortable to leave the house and be worried. It was like our bodies were out at a restaurant, but our minds were always back at home.”  

When Concepcion sadly passed away in December 2022, Marisela was approached by the union to continue doing similar work.  She now provides caregiver services for up to two hours a day for another local family that needs help. 

“There are things I learned through Alzheimer’s Los Angeles that I wish I’d known before. I could have helped others more than I did, but now I help Mr. Gonzalez and his family. They see the effort I put in and it’s very meaningful for me to be of service.”