I started Elder Living Today in 2024 after a very personal experience with two dear friends, Jan and Elsy. Elsy was living with Parkinson’s, and at 85, Jan was finding it increasingly difficult to provide the support she needed. As her needs progressed, we began looking at memory care - but after 56 years of marriage, Jan had no intention of being separated from her. So instead, we decided to create a home where they could remain together.

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We purchased a home in Watsonville with a beautiful magnolia tree in the front and rows of blue agapanthus - Elsy’s favorite flower -lining the backyard. Sadly, Elsy passed away on April 30, 2025, before the home could be completed. She never had the opportunity to live there, but she will always be part of why it exists. Her memory lives on in the home we are creating, and each year, the magnolia and blue agapanthus will bloom in her honor.

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Jan has since become my inspiration for what aging well can look like. He remains healthy, active, and engaged - volunteering at Grey Bears, learning about nutrition and wellness, and staying connected to his community. My role is not simply to keep Jan safe; it is to help him continue doing the things that give his life meaning for as long as possible.

 

That experience shaped a belief at the heart of Elder Living Today: aging well is about more than being safe. It’s about having a reason to get out of bed in the morning - and something to look forward to.