KINGMAN – Twenty years to the day, as of February 24, Sarina Ledford, a nurse at The Lingenfelter Center for Alzheimer’s Care, began a career, and a partnership of care with Maria, a 93-year-old Alzheimer’s and dementia patient and resident.
One of her first patients, and one of many through the course of two decades.
Ledford, 45, mother, grandmother, wife, moved to Kingman with her family from Southern California in 2005. She began a nursing escapade at The Lingenfelter Center in 2006 as a nursing assistant.
She immediately applied to the center’s certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, attended classes at Mohave Community College (now Mohave College) and gradually made her way up the ladder, becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in 2011 and registered nurse (RN) in 2012. She recently completed a wound care certificate (WCC) in 2025. All those steps were made possible courtesy of The Lingenfelter Center’s nursing program.
“I just always loved taking care of people,” she said.
Ledford helped in the medical field in her teens and into her early 20’s while working as a waitress and other retail gigs. She didn’t have a clear idea of what types of nursing jobs were out there, but knew she wanted to get on the field.
“I didn’t know anyone who had gone to college and had very little resources or mentors to guide me toward any career path,” she said.
She took a break for a while to raise her kids, moved to Kingman and got back on track.
“When I moved here, I started looking for an opportunity to get back into healthcare,” she said.
She applied to the CNA program February 24, 2006. It’s taken off from there.
Since Ledford has been at the center, she’s worked her way up from with working with individual residents such as Maria, and on to levels of higher responsibility.
She’s always stayed in touch on a regular basis with Maria and all the residents.
Here it Goes
Maria, one of the 88 residents at The Lingenfelter Center, was admitted the same day Ledford started her journey.
Ledford’s first day was a dash of chaos with a sprinkle of humanity.
It didn’t involve reading regulations and taking notes.
It involved a mix of emotions, remembering notes from nursing classes and getting ready to get dirty.
“I was so nervous, but also excited,” Ledford said.
It took a few minutes for reality to set in.
“The day was so busy, so many people needed help and so much to do to make sure everyone’s needs were met,” said Ledford. “But most of all, I remember feeling sad. Sad for the residents we were caring for. They seemed so helpless and confused.”
‘Dementia is an awful disease’
Ledford described a few minutes of the experience. It only took a few minutes to soak in the reality of the job.
“One resident was crying because she wanted her mom,” she said. “Another resident was distraught because she needed to get her kids off the school bus.”
Neither of the women knew who their mothers were or would still be alive or have school-age children.
“Dementia is an awful disease,” Ledford said. “And something I knew very little about.”
Can You Really Do This? Take the Leap.
Ledford encourages those looking for a long-time goal and solid career to take advantage of the center’s nursing programs and benefits. They got her to where she is today.
The Lingenfelter Center management looks for long-term commitments from applicants. Working with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is a relationship building experience.
There are opportunities.
“They really like to grow people through the company, especially in nursing,” said Ledford.
Stephanie Cobanovich, Administrator for The Lingenfelter Center, is well aware of the commitment.
“The relationships they build with their patient and resident creates a platform for the nurses to continue to grow,” she said.
Ledford has held almost every nursing position during her 20-year stint.
CNA, LPN, RN, and Assistant Director of Nursing, Infection Prevention, wound care treatment nurse.
Kristen Ott, Chief Executive Officer of Creative Care, sees the necessity of helping those who need it the most.
“What we do is truly a blessing for our community,” she said. “Being a long-term nurse is so important.”
Who Comes to Visit?
The average resident doesn’t have people to call or check on them.
“Due to the nature of this progressive disease, the residents that admit to The Lingenfelter Center will typically complete their earthly journey here,” said Cobanovich.
“For the majority of the residents, we are their family,” Ledford said.
The absence can be for different reasons.
“Sometimes it’s just hard to see them like that,” she said.
Every Moment Counts
Any moment is a good moment.
A few seconds in between chaos and boredom can make a difference for both the nurses and the patients.
Dances, dolls, smiles, music, puzzles, old movies, nostalgia.
A sliver of a memory.
“Each resident is unique and different,” Ledford said. “They all need compassion, attention and purpose. Those are the moments that make the job rewarding and fulfilling.”
Nursing programs are available.
Take a swing at it.
Aaron Ricca
