Life Before Alzheimer’s San Diego
Nerin Gonzalez joined our team in the spring of 2024 – her decision to join Alzheimer’s San Diego was influenced by her experience in caregiving and administration. She also wanted to “continue supporting the geriatric community, and this role provided an opportunity to do so in a new context beyond facilities and homes.” She has lived in a variety of areas throughout San Diego during her lifetime, and her favorite feature of the city is the food – “whether you’re craving lumpia, carnitas, congri, pad thai, ramen, sushi, pupusas, shawarma, or roll tacos, San Diego has you covered!”
Face of the Organization
Nerin has two decades of experience working with older adults and through hands-on experience has gained “valuable insights into dementia,” while also honing her skills for helping people living with memory loss and their families.
Her role includes serving as the first point of contact for those coming into our office or those calling our main line for support. Whether over the phone or in person, Nerin directs people to our Clinical Care Coaches who offer expertise on all aspects of dementia and resources available in San Diego County. She also helps our other departments with administrative duties in the office.
Nerin’s Perspective
Nerin used to help care for her grandmother and notes that “despite her complete loss of speech due to dementia, she remained consistently complacent and easy to care for.” During this time she formed close bonds to others also living with the disease. Nerin now has new bonds with those who come into our office for social activities on Fridays, and shares that she enjoys “greeting them and hearing about their plans, their past experiences, cracking jokes, and seeing them smile.”
She encourages people looking for support to reach out – she says, “just as it takes a village to raise a child, the same applies to caring for people with dementia.”
Call us at 858.492.4400, where Nerin will likely be on the other end, and speak with one of our dementia experts who are here to help San Diego County residents and/or those caring for someone living in San Diego County (Spanish speakers available). Also check out our free education classes, social activities, care partner support groups, & more.
By Braulio Ambriz
RECOMMENDED: Meet Beth Shoemaker, Clinical Care Coach!
Posted on August 15th, 2024
