St. Peterburg, Fla. —July 29, 2026 — Assisted Living Locators of Clearwater honored St. Petersburg caregiver Jess Villaray with the Loved01 Cares “Live Like a Legend” Caregiver Recognition Award during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, recognizing her extraordinary perseverance and advocacy while caring for her father, Peter, who is living with dementia.
Kristin Downer, owner of Assisted Living Locators of Clearwater, selected Jess after helping her family navigate one of the most difficult chapters of their caregiving journey.
“When Jess first contacted me, her family was exhausted and heartbroken,” Downer said. “They had done everything they could to care for Peter, but the memory care community they had trusted wasn’t meeting his needs. Jess never stopped advocating for her father, and her determination ultimately changed his life.”
Before reaching out to Assisted Living Locators, Jess had cared for Peter in her home while raising her three young sons. As his dementia progressed, the family made the difficult decision to move him into memory care. Unfortunately, Peter’s condition deteriorated, and the family was repeatedly called upon to assist with his daily care.
Downer recommended Arden Courts, a community specializing in dementia care and caregiver education. Peter was admitted the following day.
The difference was immediate.
Within days, Peter was participating in activities, dancing, enjoying time outdoors and receiving compassionate, person-centered care. His family found renewed peace of mind, allowing them to focus once again on spending meaningful time together instead of worrying about his daily care.
“Helping families find the right memory care community can completely change their journey,” Downer said. “Jess’s strength and unwavering love for her father inspired all of us. She truly represents what this caregiver recognition is all about.”
Assisted Living Locators of Clearwater and Arden Courts continue to partner on Brain Bingo programs for independent living communities and educational caregiver workshops designed to help families better understand dementia and prepare for future care needs.
The Loved01 Cares “Live Like a Legend” initiative recognizes exceptional family caregivers during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and celebrates those whose compassion and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
For more information about Assisted Living Locators of Clearwater, visit https://clearwater.assistedlivinglocators.com/ or call (727) 608-8959.