Page 34 - summer book

The Making of Mama Martha’s Resident Care Center

by Nicole Cougher
My mom moved down to San Felipe with us about 8 years ago. Over the past 5 years
she slowly slipped into the grips of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It was a very difficult
time. I quickly learned I couldn’t care for her alone. I started with helpers coming into her
home several hours a day, to eventually round the clock. After many doctor visits, and
some frightening and scary situations, it was time for a residential care facility. My only
option was to take her back to the USA for care. I didn’t
want to do that, I didn’t want her that far away. One
of her caregivers, Marisol Aguirre Cordero, and I put
together a plan to start a care center in San Felipe. We
started it in Marisol’s home. Realizing the need in the
community, we looked for a bigger location and found
the perfect place right in the middle of downtown San
Felipe. With over 10 years of caregiving experience,
this has been a dream of Marisol’s for years, and I am
so proud of her, and so happy we made it happen! We
partnered together and opened Mama Martha’s Care
Center, named after Marisol’s
beloved mother. In just over a
year, we now have a licensed, full time care center right here in
San Felipe. It is the first of its kind. We have a trained staff of 11
people, caring for 11 full time residents 24 hours a day, and sever-
al at home residents. With some additional work and support, we
will have room for 6 more full time residents. The loving care each
resident receives is incredible! It’s so genuine, it truly is a fam-
ily experience! There is
something fun and new
going on every day;
singing and dancing, art classes, manicures and
pedicures and hairstyling, game days, birthday
parties, etc. Mama Martha’s care center has
really changed lives. Giving people the option to keep their loved ones nearby is truly a
blessing. With options ranging from full time, day care, and vacation care, we can help. If
you would like some more information, or have any questions, please feel free to reach
out, phone numbers are printed in the ad on the facing page. Of everything I’ve learned
through this whole process, the most important is that you can’t do it alone. Take care of
yourselves and each other. Have a beautiful day. It really does take a village!