Page 7 - Visionary-Womens-Afternoon-Tea-2023-tribute-journal

CARING HEARTS AWARD
MARISELA DIAZ
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.”
Marisela
and her
husband
Julio
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.”