50Up Lifestyle Magazine 2025 Santa Cruz

2025

g n i c n a l a B Acts Keep moving, stay fit... and get back up if you fall down

1 50up 2020

+ PLUS A GUIDE TO RESOURCES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

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EDITOR’S NOTE “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.

BRAD KAVA | EDITOR

CONTENTS STILL STANDING

DON’T FALL FOR THESE

MARCH UP THE MOUNTAINS

A GUIDE TO 50+ RESOURCES IN SANTA CRUZ

Falls are the biggest killer. P6

Scammers target seniors. P16

Hiking poles are a great, safe workout. P10

In-Home Care Services for Seniors by Seniors Proudly Serving Seniors in Santa Cruz County

A CENTURY AND COUNTING 105 is the new 80. P14

CREW PUBLISHER

Dan Pulcrano

Zk Bradley

CONTRIBUTORS

Haley Tweedell

Richard Stockton Tarmo Hannula Kristen McLaughlin June Smith Jeffrey R. Smith Danielle Ratliff

PHOTOGRAPHER Tarmo Hannula

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From activities to local services, find everything you need. P18

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g n i d n Sta A wake-up call after a fall

BY JUNE SMITH AND JEFFREY R. SMITH

W

ith 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.

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ROAD TO RECOVERY Even serious injuries from a fall can be overcome with the right care and attitude.

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CALL 911 The Apple Watch’s fall detection feature can be a lifesaver. PHOTO: HALEY TWEEDELL

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.

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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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WALK THIS WAY Double poles, single poles or a stout wooden staff—all will help hikers maintain balance. PHOTO: RICHARD STOCKTON

g n i d n e t e Pr f l a d Gan to be

How to use trekking poles and walking sticks BY RICHARD STOCKTON

O

n 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.

USE MORE BODY 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.

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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.”

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STAIRS, INCLINES AND DECLINES 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.

POLES VS. 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

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TAKE A POLE A pair of these will help walkers save wear and tear on the knees. PHOTO: RICHARD STOCKTON 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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Daily beach trek ranks high for Helga Schmidt BY KRISTEN MCLAUGHLIN

ADVICE FROM A CENTENARIAN MEMORIES Helga Schmidt (at left) departed from Germany in 1953 and found a new (and long) life in the United States. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

S

he’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.

KEYS TO LONGEVITY 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

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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.

THE THIRD REICH 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.”

16» They soon learned they could get

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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

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DON’T GET RIPPED OFF Tips on how to keep your money safe

STAYING FIT Aptos resident Helga Schmidt

BY TARMO HANNULA

walks every day to Seacliff Beach.

PHOTO: KRISTEN MCLAUGHLIN

«14 permission to leave Germany after the war to stay with relatives in America.

They arrived in Dumont, N.J., in 1953.

LIFE OF AN IMMIGRANT 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.

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CALLER ID ‘If you don’t recognize the number, hang up,’ says DA Jeff Rosell. PHOTO: FIZKES SHUTTERSTOCK

J

ust 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.

RESOURCES 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

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SENIOR GUIDE LIVING FACILITIES 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

WESTWIND MEMORY CARE 160 Jewell St., Santa Cruz, 854-9346, westwindmemorycare.com

CLASSES & ACTIVITIES 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

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

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

18 50up 2025

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. PAMELA MORGAN, LDA

PARADISE VILLA

80 Front St., Santa Cruz, 291-4672, sunshinevillaseniorliving.com

BAY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

CITY OF SANTA CRUZ PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT DOMINICAN HOSPITAL’S PERSONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

SUNSHINE VILLA

FINANCIAL SERVICES

5161 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 475-2600, pacificinland.com

PACIFIC COAST MANOR

2177 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-1380, paradisevillaassistedliving.com

979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 454-7960, parks.santacruzcountyca.gov

4400 Jade St., Capitola, 475-5935, cityofcapitola.org/recreation

323 Church St., Santa Cruz, 420-5270, cityofsantacruz.com

1935 Wharf Rd., Capitola, 476-0770, paccoastmanor.com

SIMPKINS FAMILY SWIM CENTER

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

FOOD AND NUTRITION 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 20»

Protect What You Love for Future Generations

Connecting Our Community to Nature Since 1978 www.landtrustsantacruz.org To include the Land Trust as a beneficiary of your will or trust: The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, a California non-profit corporation, with Business address of 911 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95050.

Our taxpayer identification number is 94-2431856.

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MCSC Mid-County Senior Center

831.476-4711 829 Bay Ave, Capitola

mcsc-capitola.org

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«18 WATSONVILLE

SENIOR CENTER

114 E. 5th St., Watsonville, 722-1333, watsonville.gov

HEALTHCARE & HEALTH RESOURCES 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

EYECARE AMERICA SENIORS EYE CARE PROGRAM

REJUVENATE MEDI SPA

GOLDEN STATE ORTHOPEDIC & SPINE

SANTA CRUZ AIDS PROJECT

HARBOR HEALTH

SANTA CRUZ CORE FITNESS AND REHAB

(877) 887-6327, eyecareamerica.org

4140 Jade St. Room 100, Capitola, 475-4024, goldenstateortho.com 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

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

HEARTS & HANDS, POST ACUTE CARE & REHAB CENTER

SANTA CRUZ LIGHT THERAPY

HOUSING MATTERS

HOMELESS HEALTH PROJECT

SANTA CRUZ PARKINSON’S COMMUNITY

2990 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 479-9000, heartsnhands.us 115-A Coral St., Santa Cruz, 454-2080, santacruzhealth.org

HORSNYDER PHARMACY

1226-A Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-1400, horsnyderpharmacy.com

540 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 387-9401, santacruzlighttherapy.com

708-2906, easepd.org

SANTA CRUZ VET CENTER

1350 41st Ave. Ste. 102, Capitola, 464-4575, santacruzhumanservices.org, va.gov

HOSPICE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

SENIOR BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES

KATZ CANCER RESOURCE CENTER AT DOMINICAN HOSPITAL

SUTTER MATERNITY & SURGERY CENTER OF SANTA CRUZ

LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY

VISTA CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, 430-3000, hospicesantacruz.org

3150 Mission Drive Fl. 1, Santa Cruz, CA, 462-7770, dignityhealth.org

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

DIABETES HEALTH CENTER

20 50up 2025

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

750 Bay Ave., Capitola, 464-6435, firstcommunityhousing.org

habitatmontereybay.org

MENTAL HEALTH CLIENT ACTION NETWORK

1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-7700, dominicanhospital.org

317 Potrero St., Ste. C, Santa Cruz, 425-9500, santacruzcore.com

BAY AVENUE SENIOR APARTMENTS

3150 Mission Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-7770, scprostate.org

MEDICARE

DOMINICAN HOSPITAL

716 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 427-3900, encompasscs.org/santa_cruz_aids_ project_english

HOUSING

(734) 522-7200 ext. 2, ihsinfo.org

2112-A Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, 400-5665, coastalvitalitymd.com 85 Nielson St. Ste. 201, Watsonville, 726-4267, pvhealthtrust.org

1595 38th Ave, Capitola, rejuvenatemedi-spa.com

800- 633-4227, medicare.gov

1051 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, 469-0462, mhcan.org

OPTIMAGE HEALTH INC.

930 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 421-0197, optimagehealth.com

64 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 661-0700, seniorbenefits.care

2900 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 477-2200, sutterhealth.org/smscsc

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

108 Magnolia St., Santa Cruz, 469-4663,

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

IN-HOME SERVICES 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

WOMENCARE

2901 Park Ave. Ste. 1A, Soquel, 457-2273, womencaresantacruz.org

22»

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LIFELINE PROJECT

234 Santa Cruz Ave., Aptos, 688-0400, seniorscouncil.org

DAMIANS LADDER

200.1376, damiansladder.org

FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

2901 Park Ave. Ste. C3, Soquel, 480-3990, fshomecare.com

740 Front St., Ste 155, Santa Cruz, 464-8691, santacruzmentor.org

HELPING HANDS SENIOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM

CASA

HEARTLAND HOSPICE HOSPICE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

GREY BEARS

2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 479-1055, greybears.org

IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES (IHSS) PUBLIC AUTHORITY

PEACE OF MIND DOG RESCUE

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

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

831-855-8168 THEPORTERATSOQUEL.COM 5630 SOQUEL DRIVE, SOQUEL, CA Lic# Pending

2025 22 50up 2022

1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-7964, dignityhealth.org/bayarea/locations/ dominican

940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, 430-3000, hospicesantacruz.org

SENIOR NETWORK SERVICES REGISTRY

Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care

813 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 761-2956, casaofsantacruz.org

DOMINICAN HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER SERVICES

824 Bay Ave. Ste. 40, Capitola, 476-2158, heartlandhospice.com

Call Lisa at 831-855-8168

333 Lake Ave., Suite H, Santa Cruz, 336-2244, seaspiritmemorial.com

VOLUNTEERING

427-5070, scvolunteercenter.com/ programs/elderly-disabled/helping_hands

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING TOUR RESERVATIONS

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DOMINICAN HOME HEALTH 2045 40th Ave. Ste. A, Capitola, 465-7988, dominicanhospital.org

OPENING SUMMER ‘25

MEMORIAL SERVICES

5274 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 430-0616, visitingangels.com/centralcoast

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.

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