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“Bring a compass, it’s awkward when you have to eat your friends,” writes Richard Stockton in his hiking column in this issue. Luckily, he has some advice for how not to fall prey to the dangers of hiking, something people of every age should consider.
Stockton’s tip is to use hiking poles, which we are seeing on more and more trails around the county. I never thought of using two poles until I read Stockton’s piece, but now I’m convinced. You use 90 percent of your muscles with the poles, particularly on the top of your body, which hiking might otherwise ignore.
That’s a tip worth the price of admission to this section. There are also tips from a centenarian, a local 105-year-old with plenty to say. And a must-read story about about scams geared toward people over 50 and how to prevent them.
Thanks for reading.
STILL STANDING
Falls are the biggest killer. P6
MARCH UP THE MOUNTAINS
Hiking poles are a great, safe workout. P10
A CENTURY AND COUNTING 105 is the new 80. P14
PUBLISHER
Dan Pulcrano
EDITORS
Brad Kava
Sharan Street
CONTRIBUTORS
Richard Stockton
Tarmo Hannula
Kristen McLaughlin
June Smith
Jeffrey R. Smith
Danielle Ratliff
PHOTOGRAPHER
Tarmo Hannula
DIRECTOR OF
CREATIVE SERVICES
Cindy Couling
CREATIVE SERVICES
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Deb Fisher
BRAD KAVA | EDITOR
DON’T FALL FOR THESE Scammers target seniors. P16
A GUIDE TO 50+ RESOURCES IN SANTA CRUZ
From activities to local services, find everything you need. P18
EDITORIAL PRODUCTION
MANAGER
Zk Bradley
ASSISTANT EDITORIAL
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Haley Tweedell
EDITORIAL DESIGNERS
Haley Tweedell
Jax Vuckovic
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Jennifer Meyer
Jackie Mujica
Elena Razgonov
Rowdy Tompkins
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Debra Whizin
ADVERTISING REPS
Lisa Buckley
Kate Kauffman
Sue Lamothe
Danielle Ratliff
ACCOUNTING
Aurene Pokorny
OFFICE MANAGER
Danielle Ratliff
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Shannen Craig
COVER DESIGNER
Haley Tweedell
COVER PHOTO
BearFotos Shutterstock
BY JUNE SMITH AND JEFFREY R. SMITH
With a knit cap covering up a scalp rendered hairless by chemotherapy, my roommate stood at the foot of my adjustable bed, imploring me to answer whether I have decided that I want to live. “I want to live,” she asked, in a very serious tone. “Do you want to live?”
I know that she urgently wanted me to answer, and normally I would have been happy to oblige, but frankly, I felt as if I did not understand the question—or perhaps I did not understand the reasoning behind the question.
My way is to put my affairs and my problems in God’s hands, to go with the flow, as they say. My mind was certainly not focused on questions of life and death. I was preoccupied with how to get in and out of bed with the minimum amount of pain shooting through my leg, how to use my walker to struggle over to the bathroom just a few paces away, an attentive nurse’s assistant watching my every move and ready to catch me if I faltered.
Still, I feel a bit of regret that I never answered the question my roommate felt was all-important. When I bought my Apple Watch with the “fall detection” feature a few years ago, I had no idea I would ever use it for more than a clock. Then, early one March afternoon, I was moving my office chair out of the way in my condo so I could take my favorite online dance/exercise class led by local instructor Stephanie Golino. I lost my balance and fell, and as soon as I hit the floor, I could tell from the intense pain in my hip that I was badly injured. Astonishingly, I found that in no time a voice was speaking to me over my watch.
ROAD TO RECOVERY Even serious injuries from a fall can be overcome with the right care and attitude.
It was a fireman asking about my condition and then asking me for my address. He said help would arrive immediately, and I felt that our conversation had hardly ended before they were on the scene. The Apple Watch’s fall detector had worked!
My front door was locked, so the firefighters came in through a window. They lifted me carefully onto a stretcher for a trip to Dominican Hospital, where I had surgery on my broken femur the next day. I knew I was in good hands, as I had had surgery there in the past.
I was glad the hospital room was equipped with a recliner chair, because my daughter and her boyfriend agreed that one of them would stay with me through the night each of the four nights I was there. They tell me that I said some crazy things while I was under the influence of the pain-relieving drug Dilaudid.
On the fourth day after my fall, I was transferred from Dominican to Pacific Coast Manor (PCM), a skilled-nursing facility not far from my home.
Staff members at PCM were efficient, friendly and quick to answer when I used my call button. Certified nursing assistants Eloy and Mark not only lifted my spirits but physically lifted me into bed when severe pain prevented me from scooting myself into a proper position. Luckily, I only weigh about 85 pounds, less than my age (93)!
My diminutive size made it difficult to cope with the huge meals I was presented, especially the breakfasts—a mountain of scrambled eggs—that arrived at 7:30 every morning, well before my normal breakfast time. Because I hate wasting food, I struggled to cope with the generous portions; luckily, the food came with sturdy covers that kept it warm until I was more ready to eat it. I found myself looking forward to the daily protein drink, which tasted like the malted milk I remember from my childhood.
Sharing a room in a skilled-nursing facility means adjusting to roommates, and as my first roommate frequently voiced her exasperation with a stay that
had extended much longer than she had originally thought, our first days were not as pleasant as they could have been. After she met several members of my family, she softened quite a bit, and when she was finally released to go home, she told me I was the best roommate she had ever had. She even copied by hand a book of her own poems as a parting gift for me.
My four children, aged 58 to 63, did their best to provide me with company and advocacy 24 hours a day. Eventually, their schedules did not permit them to stay overnight in a cramped recliner, so I would spend the night from 10pm to 9am on my own, with my sleeping roommate and the nursing staff. I was thankful for timely responses when I used the call button to request medication to ease the pain that worsened at night.
During my stay at PCM, I received medication three times a day and as necessary during the night. I received both physical therapy and occupational therapy. The physical therapists would help me walk with my walker down the crowded corridor of the facility, a little farther each day, and they would coach me on stair-climbing technique and on pedaling a stationary bike. The occupational therapists would show me how to use a handy gadget for putting on my own socks, something that is hard to do when you have broken the largest bone in your body.
I also occasionally participated in some of the group activities offered by the facility. Though I did not get to play bingo, I did enjoy the “dinner and a movie” activity one night, thrilled that the feature, Return to Me, starred David Duchovny, one of my favorite actors.
Most people will not be surprised to hear that falls are the most common cause of injuries among older adults. My experience, however, shows that a serious injury suffered in a fall can be overcome with the right care and attitude. I am writing this seven weeks post-injury and after being home for almost four weeks. I am still enjoying the company of my grown children, one of whom is always here to help me to the bathroom at four in the morning when necessary.
So, to answer my roommate’s question, yes, I do want to live. And I am grateful for modern technology, medical care and family.
June Smith has written for publications for many years in Santa Cruz. Her son, Jeff Smith, helped with this story.
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On the Fall Creek Trail in Henry Cowell State Park, I am passed by an older guy who is using trekking poles. His T-shirt says, “Bring a compass, it’s awkward when you have to eat your friends.”
He deftly glides over the roughest part of the trail, planting his right pole in the earth as his left foot touches the dirt. His arms are bent to form right angles with his forearms level to the ground, his pole straps come up over his wrists. You can see him use the straps to push harder down through the pole and he appears to float over an eroded section of trail. I try to catch him, but he is gone.
He used the trekking pole form I saw demonstrated by REI trekking pole salesman Steve, who shows me how to use the walking pole strap. Steve says, “Bringing your hand up from the bottom lets you press more of your body weight down through the strap, rather than maintaining a death grip on the pole.” Using this grip on trekking poles is like doing high rep sets of upper body workout; 10,000 steps might lead to 5,000 reps of lat pull downs. You too can have perfect pecs like Steve.
Steve demonstrates how you put your hand through the loop up from the bottom and then grip the pole handle.
Nordic Walking UK founder Martin Christie says that when we walk with poles, we use 90% of our muscles, including latissimus dorsi, the large muscle that runs from the armpit down the back, muscles in the shoulders, muscles in the chest, along with rotator cuff and bicep muscles. Christie says, “a simple hike can give an all-over workout.”
If you put your hand through the loop from the top, it can keep you from losing your pole, but you’ll miss using the strap to take weight off your body. Put your hand in from underneath.
A grip with the hand inserted from the bottom up lets you put a lot more weight on the pole, and will help relieve your left knee. Not only will trekking poles save your knees, they can keep you from falling. Hiking challenges you to move against gravity. If you’re just starting out or prefer exercise options that are low-impact—walking with trekking poles makes it easier on your joints.
The 93-year-old who is walking with me on Pipeline Road in Nisene Marks State Park is legendary marathon runner and hiker Katherine Beiers. She can keep up with everyone in our hiking group and can walk away from most. When I wish Katherine a happy 93rd birthday, the word “93rd” comes out louder than I had wanted. Katherine smiles, leans on her trekking pole and says, “Richard, the whole idea with longevity, the one essential thing we have to do to survive: don’t fall down. Falling down is the beginning of the end.”
When walking the longevity trail and you encounter stairs that have a handrail, use it. Verywellfit.com says that to use trekking poles on stairs, place the poles on the step below you and step down, or put the poles next to your feet to step up. Keep the poles in front of you and push your weight through the poles.
When you go downhill, lengthen the poles by 5 to 10 centimeters and plant the poles slightly ahead for a braking action. Go down with small steps, keeping your knees soft. Verywell.com says that trekking poles are a standard hiking accessory for anyone who needs more balance and stability. Maybe that will be the epitaph on my tombstone: “Balanced and stable at last.” Poles or a staff will help absorb the impact of the body with each step as they shift the weight to the upper body.
At REI, these $80 poles are the cheap ones. They offer poles from $80 to $200 and up.
Trekking poles are adjustable, usually aluminum, but some higher-end designs are made with carbon fiber. I use a wooden staff.
I was loaned two poles for a hike on a steep mountain trail, and they made me more stable around rocks and roots. The poles were a little lighter than my staff and I could adjust the poles to different lengths (longer going downhill, shorter
uphill). They did not have a rubber tip like my staff, they had spikes, and both hands had straps for reducing grip strain. At the end of the day, they folded together in two-foot sections.
So, why do I continue to use my staff when in the mountains? One reason I stay with my single wooden staff is because I’m trying to keep my credit card in my pants at REI. Costco has some cheaper trekking poles that look sturdy enough.
The main reason I continue to use my staff is the Wizard Effect—with my staff I get to pretend to be Gandalf. My staff is mostly white, just like his. “The staff of Gandalf the White is of Elvish design, given to him by Galadriel in Lothlorien and enhanced his powers,” says the site lotr.fandom.com.
Gandalf, largely credited with having the brains to tap into to save Middle Earth, used his staff to illuminate dark places, like in the Mines of Moria. He could channel magical energies to attack his enemies with a blast of light. Gandalf’s staff had a nail in the bottom—it is more like a trekking pole in that regard—but overall, I am just more Gandalf with my staff.
Like Gandalf, I hike to overcome darkness, in my case the darkness of my own demons. And the staff helps me embody Gandalf’s role as the deus ex machina to resolve hopeless situations. “Walk it off” may sound like the hook of a Taylor Swift song, but moving to clear my head is what this is all about.
I was not given my staff by an elf, but by a crusty Vietnam vet who said he made walking sticks for vets. I told him I’m not a vet, but he wanted me to have it anyway—and he would not let me pay him for it. The pole is light and strong, with a rubber foot on the bottom. He said, “You can use it to fight a dog, a person, a coyote or a mountain lion, but don’t use it to fight a bear.”
There are black bears in the Santa Cruz Mountains; some wander north from Big Sur. They don’t seem to bother us much, but you are not going to outfight them, outrun them, or outsmart them. Try not to annoy them.
If you have issues with your left knee, put your staff in your right hand and plant the staff when you step with your left foot.
I also like pulling myself up with two hands on the staff when the going gets steep. As I lift my left foot forward, I push the staff into the ground to my right. My left hand pushes down on the top of the staff and my right hand grips the staff about two feet down. This lowprofile pole vault takes a lot of weight off my left knee. I am slow, but even when my left knee is screaming at me, I can scrabble up a steep incline like a threelegged crab. I’m not cranky, I’m crabby. Heads up: if you use trekking poles or a staff when you have a condition that affects balance, discuss it with your doctor or physical therapist.
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She’s made it through World War II and 19 presidential administrations. She lived in Germany under the Nazi regime and immigrated to the United States after the war, arriving here as a young mother.
And she is one of a few centenarians within Santa Cruz County. Helga Schmidt celebrated her 105th birthday on March 12 with friends and family at her Seacliff home. Perhaps the most amazing part of her story is that while so many of our elders move to assisted living, Helga is still spry, with a sharp mind for someone her age, walking to the beach daily and living in the same house in Aptos she once shared with her late husband, Lukas.
Born in Hamburg in 1920, Helga has three daughters—Heig Beck, 80, Fro Schmidt, 79, and Hibbe Jones, 75— who help manage her care. Jones, the youngest, is a former librarian at New Brighton Middle School, and she lives two houses away. Jones gets regular support from her two sisters, who visit often.
So how does a centenarian keep mentally and physically fit for 105 years? “I walk every day,” Helga says. Pushing a walker with wheels, her constitutional is about six blocks round trip to “the bench” overlooking Seacliff Beach and the cement ship. There, she enjoys socializing with neighbors, sometimes counting boats or
watching seagulls. “And we have a nice bench to sit on,” Helga says. “People come by and want to sit next to us on the bench and tell us their story. This whole neighborhood, they all go to the beach.”
Helga was a regular at Mid-County Senior Center exercise classes until she was thwarted by two knee replacements. “I feel as if I’m guilty if I don’t walk,” Helga says. “Other than that I don’t have any complaints.”
As for longevity, she has always been in close proximity to plants and keeps a colorful flower garden at the house. “I have always had plants and flowers, since I was a baby,” Helga recalls.
“My father had rows and rows of carrots, potatoes,” along with cabbage, flowers, snap peas and strawberries, Beck adds.
As Helga reflects back on her childhood in Germany, Hitler’s policies did not have a profound effect on her, though it did bring employment to her father, who was in a work group organized to engineer cement and concrete for Hitler’s new superhighway system, known as the Autobahn.
Meanwhile, Helga spent her childhood summers in a Schrebergärten, a traditional countryside community garden. Her father built a little cottage with a ladder and sleeping loft, she remembers. About 80 families lived in the
Schrebergärten. “It was a very healthy upbringing,” she said. “There were no political undercurrents. My parents were not interested in politics.”
Her sister, Hildegard, eight years younger than Helga, became caught up in the Hitler youth movement, a subtle form of propaganda. Hildegard ended up moving into a converted nunnery to join the movement. Years later, Hildegard would give speeches opposing the indoctrination of children.
“I don’t think you dared take a side,” she explains. “You just kept quiet, and we didn’t have any news either”—unless someone received a black-edged letter notifying them that a family member had died in the war.
Trained about four years as a draftswoman, Helga met husband Lukas at work. They married in a civil ceremony in Hamburg in 1942.
The decision to leave Germany was prompted not by Nazi policy, but by a neighbor who was already settled in America. “They said, ‘you should come here,’” Helga said. “They said it’s really a wonderful place.”
But first Lukas went by himself. “My husband was so systematic,” she said. Lukas was completely organized, and he would work everything through so it would make sense. Says Helga, “we had decided there was something crummy in Germany.”
They soon learned they could get
X Speak up about the transportation needs of
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X Guide and review planning, policy, and funding for transportation programs
X Communicate with public and private agencies, service providers, and community members about transportation needs
For information on membership positions, view the membership application at www.sccrtc.org/edtac-app or contact the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission at info@sccrtc.org
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission delivers transportation solutions for a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable community. 1101 Pacific Ave., Suite 250, Santa Cruz, 95060 www.sccrtc.org, info@sccrtc.org, (831) 460-3200
« 14 STAYING FIT Aptos resident Helga Schmidt walks every day to Seacliff Beach.
permission to leave Germany after the war to stay with relatives in America. They arrived in Dumont, N.J., in 1953.
Language was not a challenge in the states, as British English had been part of the curriculum in German schools. A neighbor showed Helga how to make an American Thanksgiving. “Immigrants were polite and followed the rules,” she says.
She accompanied Lukas as he drove across the country for a job opportunity at Schlage Lock Co. in San Francisco. Since Helga had trained as a draftswoman, she went back to work after Lukas retired, working at the Burroughs Corporation for many years.
Although she did return a few times to Germany, she never had the desire to move back. Staying in Santa Cruz makes her happy as long as she is united with her daughters, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
As for loved ones left behind, there was a grandmother, Oma Auguste, and halfsibling Heidi, a gymnastics professional, both of whom have since passed. “We always combined our trips to Germany with visits to relatives,” Beck says.
In fact, she feels no sentimentality for Germany these days. “We don’t have much contact because everyone came here,” Helga says.
With the sun breaking through the morning fog, we moved to the garden, a colorful array of lilies, poppies and geraniums. Does Helga have a message for the younger generation? “I wish that the younger generation, after 18, would get more into politics, and really see what’s there,” she said. “Not just listen to it and see who gets the most applause. And see how they can make life simpler.”
One final question, when asked how she feels about the current state of politics in America: “I don’t even want to believe it,” Helga says.
Tips on how to keep your money safe
BY TARMO HANNULA
Just last week a young man approached our home and knocked on the door. When my wife answered the door he handed her a new cell phone in a box and said, “Here’s your new phone.”
We never ordered a new phone. When she told him so, he asked if she was on Medicaid. She refused any of it and closed the door. It turns out several people in our neighborhood had the same experience.
“In my experience, very rarely—if ever—do I see someone show up to my door where some kind of transaction is going to happen,” Santa Clara County Sheriff Chris Clark said. “It’s all done online. That corporations are sending people out to your neighborhood, to your door for something that can be done online makes no sense.”
That advice was dispensed earlier this year at a presentation given by Sheriff Clark along with Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell and others from the Sheriff’s Office for a presentation that brought local seniors up to speed on a number of current scams, from phone and text messages, attempts through the U.S. Postal Service, and even door-to-door methods.
The town hall meeting at the Community Room in Pajaro Village explored issues such as the signs of a scam, what scammers want and what to do in the event of a scam. Clark pointed out that if someone is trying to make a transaction over the phone or at your door, ask to meet at a police station or the sheriff’s office lobby.
“If it’s a legitimate transaction—and it’s all in good faith—they’ll have no problem showing up at our lobby. And I’ve seen this happen many times.”
Rosell spoke of complications that can arise from having contractors perform work at your property, and they suffer an injury and if they lack workman’s compensation.
“Make sure you get a licensed contractor and that they have their own coverage,” Rosell said. “You can always ask to see their contractor’s license.”
Rosell emphasized typical scams that come over the phone.
“If you don’t recognize the number, hang up,” he warned. “Guard your card; don’t give out your personal information.”
He went on to warn of people posing at government agencies.
“If it’s the government, it is not dot com (.com) or dot net (.net).”
He stressed that debit cards are not as secure as credit cards. Police say to refuse any unsolicited offers from people who come to your door, and to take photos and gather as much information as you can.
Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Fraud & Environmental Protection: 454-2050 or santacruzdistrictattorney.us.
Victim Witness Assistance Program: 454-2010. The office is at 701 Ocean St., Room 200, Santa Cruz. Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 877-382-4357. The Victim Witness Assistance Program office: 701 Ocean St., Room 200, Santa Cruz. 454-2010. Free information packets are also available to the public at the Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St. Contact all three credit bureaus online or by phone Equifax.com: 800-685-1111
Experian.com: 888-397-3742
Transunion.com: 888-909-8872
There are many types of senior housing options, ranging from residential facilities and assisted living homes to independent living and retirement communities. Learn more about the differences and search for options near you at eldercare.gov (800-677-1116) or seniorfacilityfinder.com.
ALEXANDRIA VICTORIA
226 Morrissey Blvd., Santa Cruz, 429-9137, alexandriavictoria.com
DOMINICAN OAKS
3400 Paul Sweet Rd., Santa Cruz, 462-6257, dominicanoaks.com
LA POSADA
609 Frederick St., Santa Cruz, 429-9230, laposadaretirementcommunity.com
THE MAPLE HOUSE I & II
410 Pennsylvania Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-6347, themaplehouse.com
2000 Brommer St., Santa Cruz, 476-6366, themaplehouse.com
OAK TREE VILLA
100 Lockewood Lane, Scotts Valley, 205-7363, brookdaleliving.com
PACIFIC COAST MANOR
1935 Wharf Rd., Capitola, 476-0770, paccoastmanor.com
PARADISE VILLA
2177 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-1380, paradisevillaassistedliving.com
SUNSHINE VILLA
80 Front St., Santa Cruz, 291-4672, sunshinevillaseniorliving.com
TWIN LAKES MANOR
777 Volz Lane, Santa Cruz, 477-1100, twinlakesmanorseniorcare.com
VALLEY HAVEN
2266 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 818-8372, valleyhavencare.com
VALLEY HEIGHTS
925 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 722-4884, valleyheights.com
WESTWIND MEMORY CARE
160 Jewell St., Santa Cruz, 854-9346, westwindmemorycare.com
ACADEMY OF MARTIAL & INTERNAL ARTS
1570 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 475-1429, reelingsilk.com
AWAKENING CHI
1060 River St., Ste. 111,Santa Cruz, 334-7757, awakeningchi.org
BRIDGE OF HOPE
P.O. Box 576, Soquel, 464-2362, bridgeofhopefoundation.org
CHAIR YOGA WITH SUZI Grey Bears, 27 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, suzimahleryoga.com
CITY OF CAPITOLA
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
4400 Jade St., Capitola, 475-5935, cityofcapitola.org/recreation
CITY OF SANTA CRUZ PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
323 Church St., Santa Cruz, 420-5270, cityofsantacruz.com
DOMINICAN HOSPITAL’S PERSONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-7709, dominicanhospital.org
DOWNTOWN SENIOR CENTER AT LONDON NELSON
301 Center St., Santa Cruz, 420-6180, cityofsantacruz.com/seniors
LENZ ARTS
142 River St., Santa Cruz, 423-1935, lenzarts.com
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
PARKS DEPARTMENT
979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 454-7901, parks.santacruzcountyca.gov
SCOTTS VALLEY SENIOR CENTER
370 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley, 438-8666, scottsvalley.gov/569/Senior-Center
SIMPKINS FAMILY SWIM CENTER
979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 454-7960, parks.santacruzcountyca.gov
BAY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Multiple Locations, 479-6000, bayfed.com
CANDACE EBERT & CO.
749 37th Ave., Santa Cruz, 316-1106, candaceebert.com
EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS
Multiple locations, edwardjones.com.
MAIN STREET REALTORS
2567 Main St., Soquel, 462-4000, mainstrealtors.com.
Ohana Wealth Management 2901 Park Ave, Suite B1, Soquel, 216-5519, ohanawealthmanagement.net
PACIFIC INLAND FINANCIAL INC.
5161 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 475-2600, pacificinland.com
PAMELA MORGAN, LDA 421-1234, Paralegalpam.com
RETIRED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA 476-2960, rpeasantacruz.org
SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
324 Front St., Santa Cruz, 425-7708, scccu. org
TERRY BALLANTYNE BREZSNY/SERENO GROUP
REAL ESTATE
720 Front St., Santa Cruz, 588-8485, brezsnyassociates.com
AGRI-CULTURE
141 Monte Vista Ave., Watsonville, 722-6622, agri-culture.us
GREY BEARS
2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 479-1055, greybears.org
CARNATION CAFE SENIOR LUNCH AT LOUDEN NELSON COMMUNITY CENTER
301 Center St., Santa Cruz, 427-0901, cityofsantacruz.com
CINDY’S CELEBRATIONS, INC.
320 Carrera Circle, Aptos, 479-7509
COMMUNITY BRIDGES ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM
519 Main St., Watsonville, 688-8840, communitybridges.org
HIGHLANDS SENIOR DINING CENTER AT THE SENIOR CENTER OF SAN LORENZO VALLEY
8500 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond, 336-8900, highlandsparkseniorcenter.org
HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
1020 Emeline Ave. Bldg. B, Santa Cruz; 18 W. Beach St., Watsonville, 888-421-8080, santacruzhumanservices.org
LA MANZANA COMMUNITY RESOURCES
521 Main St. Ste. Y, Watsonville, 724-2997, communitybridges.org/lmcr
LIVE OAK FAMILY RESOURCES
1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 476-7284, communitybridges.org/locr
MEALS ON WHEELS FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Contact Community Bridges f or meal times, locations and drop-off information: 464-3180, communitybridges.org/mealsonwheels
MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY RESOURCES
6134 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-6600, communitybridges.org/mcr
ONE SOURCE
COMPOUNDING PHARMACY
104 Whispering Pines Dr., Unit 105, Scotts Valley, 535-6864, onescrx.com
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
800 Ohlone Parkway., Watsonville, 722-7110, Food hotline: 662-0991 thefoodbank.org
SCOTTS VALLEY
SENIOR CENTER
370 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley, 438-8666, scottsvalley.gov/569/Senior-Center
WATSONVILLE
SENIOR CENTER
114 E. 5th St., Watsonville, 722-1333, watsonville.gov
ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
1400 Emeline Ave. Bldg. K, Santa Cruz, 454-4170, santacruzhealth.org
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT)
1400 Emeline Ave. Bldg. K, Santa Cruz, 454-4101, santacruzhumanservices.org
AIMÉE GOULD SHUNNEY, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor. 740 Front St. #130, Santa Cruz, 465-9088, drshunney.com
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CARE CENTER AT ELDERDAY
100 Pioneer St. Ste. C, Santa Cruz, 458-3481, communitybridges.org
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
GREAT WEST REGION
90 New Montgomery St. Ste. 710, San Francisco. 888-391-9389 ext.13, arthritis.org
CABRILLO COLLEGE STROKE & DISABILITY LEARNING CENTER
6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 477-3300, cabrillo.edu/stroke-disability-learning-center
CAMILLE ELLIS, CERTIFIED LIFE COACH 246-1038, yourcoachcamille.com
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH
1600 Green Hills Rd. Ste. 101, Scotts Valley, 430-5500, thealliance.health
COASTAL VITALITY MD
2112-A Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, 400-5665, coastalvitalitymd.com
DIABETES HEALTH CENTER
85 Nielson St. Ste. 201, Watsonville, 726-4267, pvhealthtrust.org
DOMINICAN HOSPITAL
1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-7700, dominicanhospital.org
EYECARE AMERICA SENIORS
EYE CARE PROGRAM (877) 887-6327, eyecareamerica.org
GOLDEN STATE
ORTHOPEDIC & SPINE
4140 Jade St. Room 100, Capitola, 475-4024, goldenstateortho.com
HARBOR HEALTH
4450 Capitola Rd. Ste. 105, Capitola, 325-0202, Harborhealthcenter.com
HEALTH PROJECTS CENTER
9000 Soquel Ave. Ste. 103, Santa Cruz, 459-6639, hpcn.org
HEARING AID HELPLINE (734) 522-7200 ext. 2, ihsinfo.org
HEARTS & HANDS, POST
ACUTE CARE & REHAB CENTER
2990 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 479-9000, heartsnhands.us
HOMELESS HEALTH PROJECT
115-A Coral St., Santa Cruz, 454-2080, santacruzhealth.org
HORSNYDER PHARMACY
1226-A Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-1400, horsnyderpharmacy.com
HOSPICE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, 430-3000, hospicesantacruz.org
KATZ CANCER
RESOURCE CENTER AT DOMINICAN HOSPITAL
3150 Mission Drive Fl. 1, Santa Cruz, CA, 462-7770, dignityhealth.org
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
111 W St John St, San Jose, 800-955-4572, lls.org
MEDI-CAL
1020 Emeline Avenue, Building B, Santa Cruz, 888-421-8080, benefitscal.com
MEDICARE
800- 633-4227, medicare.gov
MENTAL HEALTH CLIENT ACTION NETWORK
1051 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, 469-0462, mhcan.org
OPTIMAGE HEALTH INC.
930 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 421-0197, optimagehealth.com
REJUVENATE MEDI SPA
1595 38th Ave, Capitola, rejuvenatemedi-spa.com
SANTA CRUZ AIDS PROJECT
716 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 427-3900, encompasscs.org/santa_cruz_aids_ project_english
SANTA CRUZ CORE FITNESS AND REHAB
317 Potrero St., Ste. C, Santa Cruz, 425-9500, santacruzcore.com
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
3150 Mission Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-7770, scprostate.org
SANTA CRUZ LIGHT THERAPY
540 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 387-9401, santacruzlighttherapy.com
SANTA CRUZ
PARKINSON’S COMMUNITY
708-2906, easepd.org
SANTA CRUZ VET CENTER
1350 41st Ave. Ste. 102, Capitola, 464-4575, santacruzhumanservices.org, va.gov
SENIOR BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES
64 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 661-0700, seniorbenefits.care
SUTTER MATERNITY & SURGERY CENTER OF SANTA CRUZ
2900 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 477-2200, sutterhealth.org/smscsc
VISTA CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
3315B Mission Drive, Santa Cruz, 458-9766, vistacenter.org
WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
75 Nielson St., Watsonville, 724-4741, watsonvillehospital.com
WATSONVILLE PHARMACY
1433 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 728-1818, watsonvillerx.com
WESTSIDE PHARMACY
MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND GIFTS
1401 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 423-7175. westsidepharmacyrx.com
WOMENCARE
2901 Park Ave. Ste. 1A, Soquel, 457-2273, womencaresantacruz.org
BAY AVENUE SENIOR APARTMENTS
750 Bay Ave., Capitola, 464-6435, firstcommunityhousing.org
FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY OF THE CENTRAL COAST
104 Walnut Ave. Ste. 208, Santa Cruz, 423-9444; 11 Alexander St. Ste. D, Watsonville, 728-9970 (24-hour multi-lingual crisis line), fsa-cc.org
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, MY HOUSE MY HOME
108 Magnolia St., Santa Cruz, 469-4663, habitatmontereybay.org
HOUSING MATTERS
115-A Coral St., Santa Cruz, 458-6020, santacruzhsc.org
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
2160 41st Ave., Capitola, CA, 454-9455, hacosantacruz.org
MOBILE HOME COMMISSION
701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 454-2772, sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/mhc/ index.html
MOBILE HOME OMBUDSMAN’S OFFICE
(800) 952-8356, hcd.ca.gov
MONARCH SERVICES
1685 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, 425-4030; 233 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, 722-4532, (888) 900-4232 (crisis line), monarchscc.org
THE SHELTER PROJECT OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD
406 Main St. Suite 207, Watsonville, 763-2147, cabinc.org
CARE FROM THE HEART HOME SERVICES
4769 Soquel Dr., Soquel, 476-8316, carefromtheheart.net
COMFORCARE HOME CARE
100 Doyle St. Ste. F, Santa Cruz, 920-4929, comforcare.com
COMPANION FOR LIFE / LIFELINE PROJECT
234 Santa Cruz Ave., Aptos, 688-0400, seniorscouncil.org
DAMIANS LADDER
200.1376, damiansladder.org
DOMINICAN HOME HEALTH
2045 40th Ave. Ste. A, Capitola, 465-7988, dominicanhospital.org
FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
2901 Park Ave. Ste. C3, Soquel, 480-3990,
HELPING HANDS SENIOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
427-5070, scvolunteercenter.com/ programs/elderly-disabled/helping_hands
HEARTLAND HOSPICE
824 Bay Ave. Ste. 40, Capitola, 476-2158, heartlandhospice.com
HOSPICE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, 430-3000, hospicesantacruz.org
IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES (IHSS) PUBLIC AUTHORITY
1400 Emeline Ave. Bldg. K, Santa Cruz, 454-4101; 12 W. Beach St., Watsonville, 763-8800, santacruzhumanservices.org
LIFESPAN CARE
WELL-BEING PROGRAM
600 Frederick St., Santa Cruz, 469-4900, lifespancare.com
SAFE AT HOME SENIOR CARE
3335 Soquel Dr., Suite A, Soquel, 462-3500, safeathomeseniorcare.com
SENIORS HELPING SENIORS
117 Camino Ramon, San Jose, 515-8747, santacruzgilroyshs.com
SENIOR NETWORK SERVICES REGISTRY
SEA SPIRIT MEMORIAL
333 Lake Ave., Suite H, Santa Cruz, 336-2244, seaspiritmemorial.com
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
740 Front St., Ste 155, Santa Cruz, 464-8691, santacruzmentor.org
CASA
813 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 761-2956, casaofsantacruz.org
DOMINICAN HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER SERVICES
1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-7964, dignityhealth.org/bayarea/locations/ dominican
GREY BEARS
2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 479-1055, greybears.org
PEACE OF MIND DOG RESCUE 615 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, 718-9122, peaceofminddogrescue.org
SENIORS COUNCIL OF SANTA CRUZ AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES
234 Santa Cruz Ave., Aptos, 688-0400, seniorscouncil.org
SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICE
104 Walnut Ave. Ste. 208, Santa Cruz, 423-9444, fsa-cc.org
VOLUNTEER CENTER OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY’S RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 771-9272, scvolunteercenter.org/programs/rsvp.
1777-A Capitola Rd., Santa Cruz, 462-1433, seniornetworkservices.org
SUTTER CARE AT HOME
2880 Soquel Ave. Ste. 10, Santa Cruz, 477-2600, sutterhealth.org/scah
VISITING ANGELS
5274 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 430-0616, visitingangels.com/centralcoast
This was my second time on the Sea Spirit Memorial, and I can’t say enough wonderful things about the crew. The staff was incredibly nice, professional, considerate, and well-organized. They were attentive, helpful, and thoughtful of our family’s needs. It was a special day that we will hold in our hearts forever. Thank you for a lovely experience. I would recommend it to all my friends and family!
”
Sea Spirit Memorial specializes in personalized ocean memorials, offering private full-body burials and ash scatterings aboard a dedicated 50' motor yacht from Santa Cruz, CA.
We provide a serene and intimate experience for up to 38 passengers, ensuring comfort and security with various packages available. Operating exclusively for memorial services in the Monterey Bay, our compassionate team supports families with diverse preferences, from simple ash scatterings to full-service ceremonies with catering and floral arrangements
We are committed to creating a dignified farewell, guiding you through every step with exceptional customer service. Trust Sea Spirit Memorial to honor your loved one’s legacy with grace and respect.
Honoring those we’ve lost while serving the needs of us left behind
