Ann Lindsay MD was Humboldt County Public Health Officer from 1993 to 2011. She and her husband, Alan Glaseroff MD, shared a family practice in Arcata for 28 years and raised their two children here. They were recruited to Stanford University in 2011 to establish a primary care clinic for Stanford employees and dependents and their families who have multiple chronic health conditions. The clinic was able to improve care, lower costs and achieve top rankings in patient satisfaction with adoption of a new model of team care. The lure of life in Humboldt brought them back north in 2017. They cherish the fabulous community of people here and the natural beauty.

Why Life Plan Humboldt is Important To Me

As a family practitioner in Arcata, I made home visits to elderly patients, some living alone in their two or three bedroom home having outlived their family. I was struck by the profound social isolation they experienced, even with a helper coming into their home. This type of “aging in place” did not seem appealing to me. In 1974 I had visited a new Kendal life plan community in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. I was impressed that it resembled a college campus for elders, fun and stimulating. Once you move to a life plan community you can “age in place” surrounded by friends, activities and supportive services. I could live to be 100, so I realized I better get set. Since there is no life plan community within 200 miles of Humboldt County, I got busy working on a local offering, Life Plan Humboldt, so I can stay in Humboldt for the rest of my life and thrive.

Enticed by friends and searching for eternal spring, Pat Girczyc packed up her experiences as a nurse, educator, and public health professional, left Chicago and moved to Humboldt County in 1980. Along with raising her daughter and son, she worked part time as nursing faculty at Humboldt State University (HSU) while returning to school to earn a family nurse practitioner license. Pat spent 5 years as a family nurse practitioner and held the position of Director of Community Health and Wellness for United Indian Health Services. The majority of her career was spent educating nursing students at College of the Redwoods, HSU, Sonoma State University; and as an administrator facilitating both health career advancements and innovations in teaching. Pat still craves deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and continues to cheer for the Cubs, forty years after leaving her native Chicago.

Why Life Plan Humboldt is Important To Me

My husband and I were raised around multiple generations of family. Our “greats and grands” told stories of experience and adventure. They also shared skills as bakers, fly fishers, tinkerers, and farmers as well as their experiences, thoughts and adventures. I have always been drawn to elders. Early in my career I worked with the elderly in hospitals, at home, and in the community. As a nursing faculty, my content expert was in. gerontology. I learned to respect and be wonder-filled in the presence of elders.

…… Now, I am one!!… and so are most of my friends!

I believe that the developmental stages of aging are rich and can be enhanced with planning, social connection, age appropriate health care, safety and security. We have often joked about living in an “elder commune” with our local community of friends. It turns out that there are successful models that enhance and ease the experience of aging by providing private living space, support for daily activities and additional services to support memory, dementia and physical care needs.

I want to put energy into creating a model that embodies the reasons to choose the Northcoast as a place to age.

JoAnn Schuch has been a resident of Humboldt County for over 30 years, working as a custom furniture and cabinetmaker and designer. She has been active in organizations like the Humboldt Woodworkers Guild and Redwood Coast Village.

Why Life Plan Humboldt is Important To Me

I became interested in the issues of aging after being the primary caregiver for three adults in my family. As I helped my mother, father, and aunt up to the point of their deaths, it was a crash course both in basic nursing and in negotiating the complex world of elder care. Knowing I could inherit my mother’s condition of memory loss and dementia made me think of what kind of care I myself might need in the future.

While my parents lived with me, I saw that Humboldt County had some great agencies and businesses for older adults. But there were options lacking, including a local life plan community. This model encourages residents to have an active, independent lifestyle while being able to access support if they need assisted living, memory/dementia care, or advanced nursing. All this in one location, with a trained staff.

I want Humboldt to be a great place to grow old in and I support building a life plan community here for three reasons.

I have witnessed some of my older friends leave Humboldt County to join life plan communities in other areas. This meant people with deep connections to the North Coast were leaving behind the social support they had built over the years. We have also lost their commitment to community organizations, their skills, historical knowledge of the area, and the financial resources they offered. As people bought into Life Plan communities elsewhere, jobs that could have been created here are also lost.

I really want a better model of skilled nursing locally. People need to see that advanced nursing can be done in a compassionate and humane way, and hopefully that would influence a change in the existing Brius-run skilled nursing facilities.

I can also see people from other areas coming to a life plan community here, especially if they have adult children living locally. This is a benefit to our economy, and a way to create another source of employment with jobs for managers, gardeners, maintenance and food service people, as well as caregivers and medical professionals.

The beaches, rivers, and forests are my salve… as are my deep friendships. This is my home, and I don’t want to leave. I am committed to helping create a Life Plan option on the North Coast.

Marc Chaton has been a Humboldt County resident for over 40 years having been transplanted from Southern California. He has started numerous businesses including photography, a coffeehouse, a Mexican restaurant and a computer store. For the last 20+ years he has been in IT Management and is currently the Network Administrator at Redwood Capital Bank. Marc and his wife of 33 years, Beth, are about to retire and move into a new phase in their life in Humboldt County. Projects at their home in Humboldt and travelling about in their newly acquired travel trailer are high among their priorities. And yes, helping to build a community where they can live out their retirement years in Humboldt County.

Why Life Plan Humboldt is Important To Me

I am still relatively young, however, my wife and I know that we want to retire and live out our days in Humboldt County, our home for the last 40 years. Not having any children or family to think about spending our senior years with, the idea of creating an intentional community with a chosen family of friends is very appealing. We have 40 years of friends, associates and local resources we have grown to appreciate and rely upon in Humboldt County. We currently live on acreage with lots of space to work and play. But at some point, we will want to downsize and living with other friends and neighbors in a community where there are support, activities and services to live as we age will be a blessing. I wanted to be a part of the formation of this community as I saw my friends come together with similar ideas of what they wanted their living future to be. We each have our own notions of what we want our homes to be, and Life Plan Humboldt is the perfect opportunity to create a life plan community where we can bring the best ideas of what aging in place can look like in Humboldt County.

Patty Berg moved to Humboldt County January 1, 1974 with her husband Patrick Murphy MD. Through the Center for Community Development at Humboldt State University, she was influential in the startup of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in 1975. From there she moved to the Public Health Department where she developed California’s first K-12 comprehensive family life/sex education curriculum for public Schools which became a national model.

Why Life Plan Humboldt is Important To Me

Life Plan Humboldt is like the answer to a prayer for those of us who love the beauty of Humboldt County, consider it our home, and do not want to leave as we grow older simply because supportive housing with universal design is not available to us.

My husband and I moved here in 1974. I am fortunate to have an existing support group of close friends that I love, and professional local resources that I know and trust. Nearly all of my close friends are aging (I will be 78 in June). Some of us now live alone and we have large homes and property to manage. At this point in my life, managing a large house on acreage requires help. I also have to drive everywhere due to the fact that anything I might need or want to do is not within easy walking distance.

With the time I have left, I want to live my life to the fullest, surrounded by a supportive community of friends, amenities and the luxury affording the mind of remaining independent in a safe environment. I do so with the full knowledge that I am doing so on my own terms, for the right reasons and I am doing it for the rest of my life here in Humboldt County.

I have been involved in the planning of Life Plan Humboldt since the beginning. I strongly endorse and support the Mission, Vision and Core Values of our nonprofit resident-led life plan community and cannot wait until it is a reality. It is indeed the answer to a prayer.

Gregory Orsini has lived in Humboldt county for over 30 years. He moved to McKinleyville shortly after arriving in the north coast with his family. All three of his children were raised in McKinleyville and attended grade school in Arcata and high school in McKinleyville.

He has been an employee of McKinleyville Community Services District (MCSD), for nearly 30 years. His responsibilities at MCSD have ranged from working in the field maintaining the water and sewer systems all the way to executive management as the MCSD General Manager. He holds various certifications for the operation of water and wastewater systems in California and has 40 years’ experience in construction, design and planning for those systems.

Why Life Plan Humboldt is Important To Me

I believe that seniors in our community should have more choices when it comes to maintaining their independence. Living in a conventional residential house or a nursing home might not fit with current or future lifestyle choices for many in our community transitioning to the next phase in life.

The Life Plan Humboldt project’s intent is to offer a novel paradigm for living conditions in Humboldt County, from maintaining independence to potential assisted living, to advanced support. A person can spend the rest of their lives within this community, accessing higher levels of care as needed while having a feeling of place and familiarity of surroundings.

Our community has benefitted from the level of service available here and it only stands to reason that the fastest growing demographic should have the same opportunities. I personally think it unimaginable that as we age, we might have to consider leaving the area because the basic life needs will not be accessible in this amazing place.

I am excited to provide whatever support I can to the concept and I fully endorse Life Plan Humboldt.

George Williamson is a land-use and community planner. He is Principal and majority owner of Planwest Partners Inc. — the Arcata-based consulting business he started in 1997. Planwest provides contract community planning and environmental services to municipalities, special districts, non-profit organizations and private sector clients. George implemented a succession plan for the firm, transitioning his partners to co-ownership, maintaining Planwest’s ability to continue its services. George and his wife chose Arcata as the place to establish Planwest, after coming to know and love the North Coast. Prior to moving here, George held various career planning positions in Oregon, Washington State and Southern California. He has been a Certified Planner [AICP] for over 35 years, and is an American Planning Association life member. George also currently serves as the City of Arcata Energy Committee chairperson.

Why Life Plan Humboldt is Important To Me

The community that Life Plan Humboldt envisions provides multiple care opportunities in a senior living environment, with the ability to live independently as long as possible. Being able to offer these opportunities is important to me, as there’s currently nothing here in Humboldt offering the Life Plan Humboldt integrated social & eldercare service concept.

My wife Judith & I have always valued independent living and community connections. We enjoy being part of the Humboldt community, and want to stay here. Having no children, and no family in the area, we must plan specifically for our own changing and eventual care needs.

The most important aspect, for us, is the inclusion of variable assistance levels, from independent homes to multiple professional care levels. We also feel strongly about being in a well-designed and natural setting that enables us to feel comfortably “at home.” What’s envisioned is a cohesive combination of energy efficient, functional, enjoyable and interactive spaces for living.

As a career land use & community planner, I understand the importance of ‘community’ in a physical and social context. And, the need to reduce our impact on dwindling resources. This importance has grown as I’ve aged. As envisioned, Life Plan Humboldt would offer efficiently planned independence and a strong community connection.

Kirk Girard is the owner of TPoint Consulting, advising organizations on climate mitigation initiatives. He served for a combined 20 years as a County Planning Director, first in Humboldt and then in Santa Clara County, where he developed expertise in grant supported affordable housing projects. He is a licensed Civil Engineer and has an Environmental Resources Engineering degree from Humboldt State University.

Kirk and his wife Catherine, live in Bayside where they raised their two children, Ian and CeeJay. He started his Planning career on the Arcata Planning Commission, serving nine-years, the last three as Chair. While in Santa Clara County, he was Vice-President of the California County Planning Directors Association and an affordable housing advisor to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Prior to public service, he worked as an environmental compliance manager for Norcal Waste Systems and Louisiana-Pacific Corporations, and was a consulting engineer with SHN Engineering. Off-work he backpacks, motorcycles, and travels abroad on culture and adventure trips. His greatest love, after his family and friends, is Humboldt County.

“When I was a Planning Director, I would never miss the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for our affordable and senior housing projects. Celebrating the typically hard-won success with the project team was great, but the most rewarding part was seeing the appreciation in the faces of the new residents. For many, the project was their only path to living in safe, affordable housing with a sense of community. Life Plan Humboldt holds that promise for us on the North Coast.”

“A recurring theme over the years in local planning and visioning sessions is the need for more senior living developments. We are an ageing population and need housing and medical care matched to our needs. Ageing-in-place, in a stimulating environment, surrounded by friends can be the Shangri-La we’ve been waiting for and deserve. I’m proud to be a member of the Board and project team, and sincerely look forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”

Joyce recently retired after serving as Executive Director for the Humboldt Senior Resource Center since 2003. Her career has focused on the development and support of community based senior programs that give options for older adults to age in their community. During this time she has led the agency in the capital campaign to build a specialized Alzheimer’s Day Care and Resource Center for Humboldt County. Most recently, she has provided the leadership for HSRC to develop and begin a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Prior to being Executive Director she was Nutrition Director at HSRC. Born in Scotia, CA, Joyce left Humboldt County to attend Oregon State University and went on to earn a M.S. degree in Dietetics and Nutrition and complete a dietetic internship as a registered dietitian at the University of Kansas Medical Center. With her family, they returned to Humboldt County in 1981 to allow their children to be close to grandparents who were lifelong residents of Fortuna. She has extensive experience in private consulting to Area Agencies on Aging, senior nutrition programs, skilled nursing facilities and other community based senior service non-profit agencies. She served as Trustee for Eureka City Schools for 13 years. Joyce and her husband David of 50 years have three adult children and six grandchildren.

Interest in Life Plan Humboldt

Despite the richness of senior services in Humboldt County, the north coast has been and continues to be lacking in housing options for the aging population. Throughout 44 years of work with older adults and with programs that promote independence, health and quality of life, it is obvious to me that the core component critical for all aging adults is safe, healthy and appropriate housing that supports the changing needs of an older adult.

Despite love for Humboldt County, it is well known that older adults in our area decide to leave because quality housing choices with a continuum of support services are not available. I would like to see this change. The opportunity to work with Life Plan Humboldt is just an extension of my life long career in promoting quality of life and independence of older adults in our community.

Patrick Cleary is the Executive Director Emeritus of Humboldt Area Foundation, the community foundation serving Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity Counties in northwest California. During his leadership, the foundation grew from $78 million in assets in 2012 to $179 million in 2021.

He has served as President of Lost Coast Communications, Inc., a radio and online news media company serving the north coast since 2003. Prior to moving to Humboldt County in 1997, he was a Managing Director of the Chase Manhattan Bank, and a partner in TCW Capital, a private equity firm. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, and an avid amateur musician.

Why Life Plan Humboldt is Important to Me

Senior housing is, and will continue to be, the most critical need in Humboldt County. Faced with a growing senior demographic and limited current options, Life Plan Humboldt offers to be a model of innovative senior living while creating critical new housing stock. I welcome the opportunity to use my decades of financing experience to make this a reality.