Volunteer Brings Joy to Dementia Care Residents as She Prepares for Medical School

During her two years as an undergraduate lab professor, she launched a volunteer tutoring program to support under-resourced communities in Los Angeles.

For the last year, she has focused her efforts on memory care at The Courtyards at Mountain View.

Her inspiration for working in memory care is rooted in personal experiences.

Combining Expertise With Experience to Bridge Generations

As a child, Sierra fondly remembers her six-year-old twin brother encouraging their grandmother, who had dementia, to say his name. He rewarded her efforts with her favorite treat — See’s chocolate. Though Sierra was too young to grasp the complexities of dementia fully, she vividly recalls the joy her grandmother experienced during these moments, as well as the warmth shared by family and caregivers. Today, as a memory care volunteer, she is able to relive those powerful moments of connection and create new ones with residents.

Memory Care Director at The Courtyards at Mountain View, Molly B. Clancy, praised Sierra’s contributions by saying, “Sierra is a very kind person with a great smile. She loves working with the residents in memory care, and we are lucky to have her.”

Sierra’s experience as a volunteer has provided her with invaluable insights into patient care that will serve her well as she embarks on her medical career. The intergenerational relationships she has formed at The Courtyards at Mountain View demonstrate the positive impact that young volunteers can have on older adults, while also allowing her to build meaningful connections that inform her understanding of compassionate care.