By TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON
Special to the PRESS
Music filled the air as waves lapped the shoreline. At the Sandpiper pavilion, clients from Epoca De Oro danced, enjoyed a beachside picnic, and dipped their toes in the surf, their smiles lighting up the day.
Photos shared by the daycare captured laughter and joy, marking a cherished moment.
Ricardo and Lily Benitez, owners of Epoca De Oro LLC in Mission, have made these outings a beloved tradition. “We love camping at Isla Blanca’s RV park with our family, so we wanted to share the joys of
South Padre Island with our clients,” they said.
The couple runs three adult daycares serving elderly and disabled clients, offering pavilion picnics and dolphin-watch cruises for the past five years.
“Seeing their eyes light up as they feel the surf, savor a freshly grilled burger, or ride a boat for the first time is unforgettable,” the Benitezes shared. For many clients, whose families face time or financial
constraints, these outings provide a rare chance to connect with nature and community.
The name Epoca De Oro, meaning “The Golden Age,” reflects their mission. “Our clients have worked hard their whole lives. Now it’s our turn to give them joy in their golden years,” they said.
The Rio Grande Valley, encompassing Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties, had a population of approximately 1.3 million in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with projections suggesting
growth to 1.4 million by 2025, according to RGV Health Connect.
The region’s senior population, aged 65 and older, comprised about 12.5% of residents in 2020, or roughly 162,500 individuals, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and is likely closer to 13%, or approximately
182,000 people, by 2025 due to aging trends in the population, according to the Texas Demographic Center.
Economic challenges are significant for RGV seniors. In 2021, about 24.7% of families in the RGV lived below the federal poverty level, nearly triple the national average, according to Border Health. In Hidalgo
County, home to McAllen, 33.5% of residents lived in poverty in 2016, according to Texas Health and Human Services.
While specific senior poverty rates for 2025 are unavailable, estimates suggest 20–25% of RGV residents aged 65 and older live below the poverty line, compared to Texas’s state average of 10.7%, according to the
Kaiser Family Foundation. These economic realities highlight the importance of initiatives like Epoca De Oro’s, which offer free, communal experiences to seniors who might otherwise lack access.
This Independence Day, island music, sizzling grills, and ocean breezes brought clients together for a celebration of life. For the Benitezes and their clients, the day was more than a holiday—it was a heartfelt
reminder of the power of shared moments and simple pleasures in their golden years.
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