Aging is as enriching as it is transformative. It brings new opportunities, evolving priorities, and a deeper appreciation for the moments that matter most.
In today’s ever-changing world, staying informed and engaged is essential to living life to the fullest. From health and finances to travel and community connections, each aspect plays a role in shaping a vibrant and fulfilling senior lifestyle.
Noozhawk’s Senior Life: Living Well and Aging Wisely section is dedicated to celebrating this stage of life and providing valuable resources to help our readers navigate it with confidence. Our goal is to equip older adults and their families with insightful information, expert advice, and inspiring stories that enhance their daily lives.
Through interviews with local professionals, in-depth features, and expert contributions, Noozhawk delivers practical guidance on living well, staying active, aging wisely and making informed choices.
We believe that by sharing knowledge and experiences, we empower our readers to embrace this chapter with purpose and joy.
In this interview Noozhawk spoke with Tammy Westwood, Executive Director of Solvang Friendship House to learn more about how her business supports seniors in the community.
Solvang Friendship House
Question: What year was your business established?
Answer: 1978.
Q: What inspired you to start your business, and how does it cater to the needs of the 55+ community?
A: Solvang Friendship House is committed to providing secure, state-of-the-art residential and non-residential memory care services and programs in a warmly supportive environment that fosters a sense of individual happiness, self-fulfillment, and connectivity.
The story of Friendship House begins in 1978 with one man. Dr. Louis H. Netzer, a visionary, who began the journey of this special home while working in the Santa Ynez Valley as a country doctor making house calls.
Along with friends in the community he made his vision a reality, never letting a lack of funds deter his dream. It was his primary concern that the rates be affordable, and that the residence be as home-like as possible.
In the early 90’s Dr. Netzer felt a pull to fill the increasing need for an Alzheimer’s and dementia residence. There were no facilities of this kind in the immediate area, and families were being forced to continue to care for their loved ones at home or send them to facilities a considerable distance away.
Again, the community was asked to help. Funds were raised, and a building especially designed for the special needs of this unique population was built in record time.
In 2010 Friendship House opened the Life Enrichment Day Program in the Netzer Center, serving dependent seniors who do not live at Friendship House but in the Santa Ynez Valley and surrounding areas.
The day program provides supervision, activities, meals, showers, incontinent care, transportation, health monitoring and a fun social environment for the participates to get out of the house, out of sitting in front of a tv all day and allows caregivers a much needed break to relax or to go to work.
Today Friendship House is home to 40 residents and can serve15 participants daily in its day program, which offers to drop-ins the same services it provides to residents— from meals, companionship, and activities to bathing assistance. Since 2017 Friendship House has been exclusively a memory-care facility.
Q: Can you share a success story or testimonial from a senior who benefited from your services?
A: Around this time last year, I began noticing Bob’s Parkinson’s progress aggressively due to the extreme interrupted life change, if you will. I could see his lack of purpose and his depression as the result, which was isolating him, and of course, it would, but I knew I had to get him into a program to help him, by socializing with others who are on similar journeys, so he can glean off their coping skills, to help him develop his.
Thank goodness I found The Friendship House, almost a year ago, because I was desperate to get him into a safe, supervised, positive, social, healthy and energetic environment. The Friendship House offers an Adult Day Care program, and it is incredible.
It was a life saver for Bob, and a life saver for me and our family. I began Bob in their Adult Day Care program with their half days, and now he is in the full days program, and I love it, and he does too. The terrific staff, have been such a blessing and relief to Bob, myself, and our entire family, and I can’t thank them enough.
The lovely Cape Cod cottage home structures and the gardens on the property, along with a vintage courtyard, make the property feel peaceful. Bob loves the great stimulating activities that the staff are always providing for the group, and also engaging in them, with the group. Bob especially loves the great lunches that they provide sharing conversations with the others.
I am hoping this review for The Friendship House and their Adult Day Care program, will help direct those who have family or friends that need a place of solution, with sincere care and self-worth, for those in their lives that are suffering with Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Parkinson’s. Kat A., family member of an active participant in the program.
Q: What trends are you seeing in the senior market, and how is your company adapting to meet those needs?
A: The demand for specialized Alzheimer’s and memory care is increasing. By 2050, it has been estimated that 27 million older adults in the United States will require care and assistance in the home, community, or institution—almost a two-fold increase since 2000.
Support for people living with Alzheimer’s is demanding, and family members often put their own health and well-being at risk. Families need community-based support services to continue to help provide care safely at home and when needed 24 hour residential care.
Friendship House directly impacts the undeserved Alzheimer’s population and families by providing a dementia capable neighborhood that provides specialty Alzheimer’s/dementia residential homes and services with 24-hour care and supervision, a day care program open to all seniors in the community, overnight respite care available to any senior living at home with a caregiver, caregiver support groups, hospice care and community education.
Q: How does your business prioritize accessibility, affordability, or personalization for older adults?
A: Our Life Enrichment Day Program prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and personalization in several ways:
Accessibility:
Location & Transportation – Centrally located within the community and we offer wheel-chair transportation services to help seniors attend easily.
Flexible Hours – Offer part-time or full-time options, allowing caregivers flexibility.
Trained Staff & Specialized Care – Staff are trained to handle dementia-related behaviors, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
Physical & Sensory Accommodations – Facilities are designed to be dementia-friendly, with clear signage, open spaces, and safety measures to prevent wandering.
Affordability:
Discounted fees for low income seniors and Personalization.
Individualized Care Plans – Participants receive tailored activities based on cognitive level, interests, and health needs.
Small Group Activities – Programs often include art, music therapy, and reminiscence activities that engage memory and personal history.
Dietary & Health Considerations – Meals and snacks accommodate special dietary needs, and staff monitor conditions like diabetes or mobility challenges.
Caregiver Support & Feedback – Regular communication with family members ensures care is adjusted to meet evolving needs.
Q: Are there any specific programs, events, or offers you’d like our readers to know about?
A: We have two annual fundraisers, Wine Women and Shoes and Nashville Nights. Both sell out each year.
Q: How can readers learn more about your business or get started with your services?
A: Visit our website here or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To schedule a tour give us a call at (805)688-8748.
Q: What programs or resources does your organization provide to support seniors in the community?
A: Our core services include:
Memory Care– Residents receive 24-hour care in a homelike setting; they receive three meals a day, recreational and social activities, housekeeping and transportation. Trained CNA’s, caregivers and nurses provide supervision and assistance with medications, bathing, dressing, and cooking. An R.N. coordinates services with healthcare professionals and monitors residents’ health and wellness. Friendship House focuses on person centered care which respects the values and uniqueness of each individual.
Life Enrichment Day Program– a senior day program for elders affected by memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s or who are medically frail. Friendship House provides a safe and stimulating environment where each day is filled with conversation, music, activities, and laughter.
The caring staff strives to pamper and entertain the participants with activities customized to their individualized interests and abilities. A nutritious lunch is served along with morning and afternoon snacks. Most importantly, participants find socialization and acceptance in a homelike setting.
Friendship Houses’ unique services also cater to the caregivers, providing them the flexibility and support they need to care for their loved ones at home. Flexible schedules and affordable rates are perfect for caregivers who work or need respite from their care schedules.
The Life Enrichment program is unique in the Santa Ynez Valley as it offers extended hours of operation: Monday-Friday 7am-7pm (as needed) and Saturdays 9am-5pm (as needed) and provides shower/grooming assistance.
Respite Services– we offer the option of a stay overnight, for a few days or a few weeks. Overnight care allows caregivers caring for a loved one at home to take an extended break or vacation while the person with dementia stays in a supervised, safe environment. All services and amenities offered to permanent residents are offered to respite residents.
Hospice Care– for those in the last stages of life.
Support Group– Facilitated by the Alzheimer’s Association, groups are open to the community and meet twice a month. Free senior day care is provided to the caregiver attending the support group.
Community Education– Lead by local physicians and specialist in Aging, Wellness, and Nutrition are offered free to the community.
Q: How can seniors or their families get involved in your nonprofit initiatives?
A: We are always looking for volunteers to visit, share a hobby or musical talent, walk with residents, assist with art or music classes.
Q: What resources do you offer to support caregivers of seniors?
A: Assisted living is typically not an option for the vast majority of older adults as insurance will not cover assisted living service and it is not currently covered by Medicare or Medi-Cal.
24-hour caregiving can be very expensive, most of older adults and their family members prefer to age in their own homes and, if care is needed, prefer to have those services delivered in the home or in community settings.
Our Life Enrichment Day meets this need by providing day services at an affordable fee, $10 an hour for 8 hours a day. Much lower than that of in-home caregiver services and full-time residential care.
Our day program supports the health, nutritional, social, and daily living needs of seniors with functional limitations and dementia in a group setting during daytime hours. We also support family caregivers by enabling them to remain in the workforce and receive respite from caregiving responsibilities at an affordable fee.
Click here to learn more about Solvang Friendship House.