Inside the Santa Ynez Valley Magazine Spring 2003 Edition

Solvang Friendship House
By K. Reka Badger

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Celebrating 25 years of service to the people of the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang Friendship House (SFH) stands as a living monument to the power of one man's selfless vision. The fact that the facility thrives and continues to grow long after its inception illustrates the potency of community action when focused on a vital cause.

Founded in 1978 by the late Dr. Lou Netzer, Solvang Friendship House is a state licensed, residential facility that offers senior citizens a range of services, including assisted living and full-time care for patients struggling with dementia. The facility's Alzheimer Residence is the only dementia care unit in the Valley and one of just a handful on the Central Coast.

We were built by the community, says Barbara Allen, Executive Director of SFH. Dr. Netzer had a dream and asked the community to help him. He put an ad in the paper saying we're trying to build this, can you help?' and people sent in money!

Originally envisioned as an assisted living facility, SFH cared for its first residents in a rented bungalow on Duff Mesa. When demand outstripped available space, the facility was relocated to its current site just off Highway 246, on a cul-de-sac aptly named Friendship Lane.

Nine residents moved into the converted ranch-style house, immediately filling it to capacity. When a lack of space forced staffers to turn away applicant Betty Parks, the determined senior funded construction of a second building just so she could live there.

SFH volunteers eventually rebuilt a nearby house to meet the needs of patients with Alzheimer's disease and, in 1995, purchased a neighboring bungalow as an independent living residence, dubbing it the Netzer House. Today, SFH includes six residents receiving special care, nine in assisted living, 15 in the dementia care unit and three living independently.

Barbara Allen, whose own mother was able to live and die here with great peace and dignity, describes life at SFH as very homelike. When they're not enjoying a concert, stroking a visiting pet or making handicrafts, residents watch TV, work crossword puzzles, play games and read. They roll bandages for Direct Relief, the ladies get their hair done each week and once a month the assisted living residents attend a meeting where they choose activities for their weekly outings.

Barbara grins as she reveals, They like going to the Ninety-nine Cent store and Wal-Mart. They love to shop. Sometimes they go to Lake Cachuma, or Gaviota to see the ocean, and recently there were some buffalo in Ballard Canyon.

Twice a month Arts Outreach stages concerts at the facility on the outdoor patio when the weather cooperates, or in the crowded great room, when it doesn't.

It's wonderful, Barbara exclaims, even those [residents] who are having trouble with confusion and loss of memory remember the old songs.

Framed photographs, knickknacks and cozy quilts from home adorn each bedroom at SFH, reflecting the personality of its occupant.

Residents can bring their own beds, pictures and furnishings, explains Tiffany Hegarty, SFH's Director of Development. We encourage family members to help them decorate their rooms, it gives them a sense of ownership.

Members of the community pitch in to keep SFH running smoothly, donating goods and services, as well as their time. The Ladies Auxiliary provides household items and buys birthday and Christmas gifts to enrich the residents' lives; Los Olivos Grooming keeps the house dog, Buddy, washed and clipped, while Dr. Bertram keeps him healthy; Anke Haas tends to the gardening and thoughtful locals keep the ladies' nails done and the firewood bin full.

Eleven volunteers serve on the board of directors of SFH, and after Dr. Netzer left the country in the early 1990s, they registered Solvang Friendship House as a foundation charged with fundraising.

When Lou was here, we operated on a wing and a prayer, Barbara remembers. One [board] member did the cooking, others cleaned the toilets, one wrote out the electric bill. What we're trying to do now is ensure that Lou's vision for affordable care for our seniors continues.

We started with nine residents, Tiffany adds, and we're now serving 33. Our buildings have been used and abused for 25 years. To really serve our residents we need to upgrade the facility.

To that end, the Board of Directors has initiated a $1 million capital development program to build a much-needed community center for SFH. The center will include a centralized kitchen equipped to handle industrial-sized equipment, a communal activity room, an expanded dining area and outdoor patio, laundry room and beauty shop.

On May 4, the Solvang Friendship House Ladies Auxiliary presents its annual Spring Fling at Gainey Vineyard. This year's event features an al fresco concert performed by the Valley Wind Ensemble, as well as gourmet goodies from area restaurants. Tickets cost $35 and the proceeds go directly to support the senior care efforts of SFH.

Nashville Nights, a gala held each August, was added to the roster of SFH fundraisers when Anna Green, country music star Marv Green's grandmother, moved into the facility and Marv offered to play for the residents and community. A group of Valley musicians donated their talents to the evening's entertainment and joined with Marv to create an eagerly anticipated, annual event.

Solvang Friendship House cares for Valley seniors with loving sensitivity, meeting their needs and enriching their lives in a warm, supportive environment. Twenty-five years after opening its doors, it serves not only the residents, but their families, friends and the very soul of the community.

Tiffany Hegarty sums up local sentiment about Solvang Friendship House and salutes Dr. Netzer's vision when she declares, It's so great to know a place like this is here.