Published June 22, 2023

By Natalie Taylor

Growing older brings inevitable changes. Some are minor and can be handled while at home. However, some illnesses or disabilities require round-the-clock care, temporarily or permanently. If we live alone, or if our loved one is unable to provide this care, we need to look for alternatives. Full time care at home is ideal, but if that is not an option, it might be necessary to look for a facility that can provide what is needed.

There are several convalescent homes around town, but Sofy Cares is different—it is a residential boarding care center for the elderly. Sofia Toledo Soto has been involved in health care for many years. She was a nurse in California, and started a personal care home for the elderly, with just six residents. With the support of a medical staff, she provided round the clock care, and ran this center for many years until moving to San Miguel de Allende.

Using the same concept, she started Sofy Cares, remaining faithful to the California model—a small number of residents with a high caretaker ratio. She has three separate locations, but each of them maintains a ratio of one caretaker for every three residents. Other convalescent homes may have much higher resident to caretaker ratio; it is something you should always check when making an evaluation. The Atascadero facility I visited has five bedrooms on the main level, an inviting, open communal space consisting of a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. Landscaped grounds are filled with greenery and flowers. Each of the five residents have their own room, and there are currently four caretakers, in keeping with the facility’s commitment to personalized care. Some residents have grave illnesses that may not allow them to ever return home. Others are only here temporarily—recovery from surgery, for example; but still need round the clock care, even if for a short time.

The residents receive 24-hour care and supervision, with transportation for any visits to a doctor or hospital, or any other necessary trips. Three meals a day are prepared on the premises, and snacks and drinks in between are also provided. There are several television sets, games, and books; and visits from friends and family are encouraged. Additional services, such as beauty care and massages are available, though not included in the total fee. The idea is to give residents a comfortable, home-like atmosphere, with medical staff at the ready.

Sofy Cares has now been approved as a non-profit organization—an AC, which will allow funding from the government. It will benefit those individuals who may not be able to pay the full amount. It is important not to confuse Sofy Cares with another with a similar name—St. Sofia. That is an entirely different facility, with no connection to Sofy Cares.

For additional information or questions, you may call Sofy Toledo at 415-117-7643 or email her at sofycaressma@gmail.com

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