Approximately six and a half years ago, Ron began noticing small changes in his wife, Virginia, affectionately known by family and friends as “Gingi.” The couple had built a life together in Santa Cruz County, but increasingly, Ron saw signs that something was changing. Gingi was beginning to show early symptoms of dementia.
Their longtime physician recommended a formal evaluation, and while they waited for answers, Ron and Gingi began exploring what the future might look like. They visited senior living communities and started attending a local support group for individuals living with dementia and their loved ones. Though neither knew exactly what lay ahead, they were determined to face it together.
Finding the Right Community
As they considered their options, Ron and Gingi toured several senior living communities near their home in Santa Cruz County. While each offered something different, none felt quite right.
Their two adult daughters, who lived in the Bay Area, had also noticed changes in their mother’s health. Wanting to be closer and more involved in their parents’ lives, they encouraged Ron and Gingi to look at communities nearer to where they lived.
The recommendation that ultimately changed everything came from one of their daughters, a nurse at a local hospital. She had cared for a patient from AlmaVia and suggested they schedule a visit.
From the moment they walked through the doors, Ron and Gingi felt something different.
The staff welcomed them warmly. The location made it easy for their daughters and grandchildren to visit, and the community offered both assisted living and memory care under one roof.
While Gingi did not yet need memory care services, Ron understood that dementia was a journey, and planning ahead mattered. AlmaVia offered something many communities could not: the opportunity for them to remain together while ensuring Gingi would have access to additional support when the time came.
Five years ago, Ron and Gingi made AlmaVia their home.
Facing the Next Chapter Together
After moving to AlmaVia, the couple continued attending a local dementia support program. Gingi participated in a group designed for individuals experiencing dementia, while Ron joined a separate group for spouses and care partners.
The meetings became an important source of connection. They provided both Ron and Gingi with opportunities to share experiences, ask questions, and spend time with others who understood the challenges they were facing.
As the years passed, Gingi’s dementia progressed. Eventually, discussions between her family and healthcare providers led to the difficult decision that she would benefit from the specialized support available in Bridge Haven, AlmaVia’s memory care neighborhood.
Ron moved into a smaller apartment within the community while Gingi transitioned into memory care.
Like many families navigating dementia, the change was emotional. Yet because they remained in the same community, they were able to preserve many of the routines that mattered most.
“I see Gingi on a daily basis, usually for lunch,” Ron shared.
Those daily visits continue to provide comfort and connection. While Ron remains active in the broader AlmaVia community, Gingi receives personalized support from caregivers who know her well. Team members also keep Ron informed, helping him stay involved in her care and informed about any changes.
As Gingi’s needs have evolved, additional support services, including hospice care and counseling, have become part of their journey. Ron regularly attends a weekly support group for spouses at AlmaVia and meets with a professional counselor who helps him navigate the emotional complexities of loving someone with dementia.
These resources have helped him better understand what Gingi is experiencing, how their relationship continues to change, and the importance of caring for himself, too.
“Their support has been very precious,” Ron said.
Holding Onto the Moments That Matter
Despite life’s challenges, Ron and Gingi have continued finding joy in the moments they share.
In the years following their move to AlmaVia, they often took walks around the community and visited a nearby lake. One of their favorite destinations was the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization located just across the street.
During the holidays, AlmaVia residents would visit the organization to gather around the fireplace, enjoy hot chocolate, meet staff members, and spend time with the dogs. What began as a simple outing soon became something much more meaningful for Ron and Gingi.
Inspired by the organization’s mission, they eventually volunteered at guide-dog graduation ceremonies.
These celebrations honored individuals who are blind or visually impaired as they completed training with their new guide dogs. Ron and Gingi served as ushers, welcoming guests, assisting attendees, and helping support graduates during one of the most important milestones of their lives.
For the couple, volunteering became another way to stay engaged, contribute to the community, and continue sharing meaningful experiences together.
Finding Strength Around the Breakfast Table
Today, some of Ron’s greatest sources of support come from life’s simplest moments.
Every morning, he sits down for breakfast with the same group of four men. Two have spouses currently living in memory care, while the other two have already experienced the loss of spouses who once lived there.
What started as casual conversation has grown into an unspoken support group.
Together, they share stories, listen without judgment, and offer one another understanding that only comes from walking a similar path. The conversations are not structured or formal, but they provide something invaluable: companionship, empathy, and reassurance that no one has to carry the weight of this journey alone.
Around that breakfast table, Ron has found people who understand the unique blend of love, grief, hope, and uncertainty that often accompanies dementia. Their friendship serves as a reminder that support can sometimes be found in the most ordinary places.
A Community That Walks Beside You
For Ron and Gingi, AlmaVia has become more than a place to live.
It is a community that has helped them navigate one of life’s most difficult transitions while preserving what matters most: their connection to one another. Through compassionate care, meaningful relationships, supportive programs, and everyday moments shared together, they have continued to find purpose, comfort, and belonging.
Their story is a testament to the power of community and a reminder that even when life’s path changes unexpectedly, no one should have to walk it alone. At AlmaVia, Ron and Gingi have found people who continue to walk beside them every step of the way.