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Why Do Seniors Need Engaged Living

By Keith Grady, Executive Director

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If you know me, you can be sure that before we delve too deeply into any conversation about senior living, I’ll talk about the importance of ‘engaged living.’ Actively participating in life, rather than watching from the sidelines, has been proven to be beneficial to anyone, regardless of age.

But as we enter our 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, it becomes an even more important tool for maintaining mental, physical and emotional health.

Here at Applewood, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in the heart of beautiful Monmouth County, engaged living is not just a motto or a concept—we’ve established very real, very active programs that provide our senior community residents with intellectual, social and physical activities to nurture every individual’s well-being.

“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard.
Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh.
Choose with no regret. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.”
Mary Anne Roadacher-Hershey

Actively Shaping NJ Senior Retirement Through Meaningful Contributions

Applewood’s exclusive Engaged Living™ lifestyle program, developed with residents’ input and preferences, offers a meticulously-crafted, six-pronged blueprint to maintaining and pursuing emotional, physical and social wellness:

1. Physical

2. Intellectual

3. Emotional

4. Social

5. Occupational/Vocational

6. Nutritional

Our program isn’t just comprised of a long menu of things “seniors like to do.”Rather, my team and I developed Engaged Living™ in partnership with the people who live here.

By involving seniors in all facets of our community, we can be assured we’re meeting their needs, rather than just dictating what we think they want.

From engineers and teachers to physicians and small business owners, the richest asset we offer here at Applewood is our residents’ life experiences and professional expertise.

It would be a mistake not to capitalize on this vast bank of knowledge.

Through management committees and service organizations, we channel this network of experience to strengthen and enrich not just Applewood—but also the surrounding Freehold Township community.

Olga Byer, full-time Engaged Living™ coordinator, oversees the fluid operation of these activities and partners with the outstanding Resident Recreation Committee to plan and manage a non-stop social calendar for residents, family and friends.

‘Engaged learning’ opportunities include ongoing interactive lectures related to occupational, vocational and nutrition education.

Let’s not forget the cuisine, of course: One of our most popular interactive offerings features John Todd, Applewood’s executive chef, leading our lively Culinary Institute of Applewood (CIA) cuisine education classes. He provides hands-on cooking demonstrations featuring easy, healthy and delicious entrees, side dishes, beverages and desserts.

FITNESS_AYP1207516In the past year, residents have embraced Daniel Piereth, our new full-time fitness and wellness guru. Through resident input, he oversees diverse indoor and outdoor movement and fitness classes to appeal to just about anyone, regardless of fitness level.

Best of all, I’ve only touched on a few of the one-of-a-kind NJ retirement community activities you’ll find here at Applewood.

How Does Applewood’s Engaged Living© program work?
It starts with every new resident completing our Applewood Well-Being Assessment, a short questionnaire about your professional background, hobbies, recreational preferences, nutritional habits, mental outlook, health history and other wellness-focused insight.

Our specially-trained Engaged Living™ team will compile your results and design a suggested plan of customized Applewood clubs, classes and programs to enhance your daily quality of life socially, emotionally and physically. (Of course, this plan is flexible and can always be changed to meet the resident’s preferences).

A Unique Lifestyle Program Exclusively for Today’s Seniors

After spending the past several decades raising families and pursuing professional aspirations, today’s seniors have told us—very directly—they see this new stage of their lives as a long-awaited time to finally nurture what truly interests and intrigues them.

Here at Applewood, our job is to provide the framework for every one of our residents to surpass even their own expectations of just how fulfilling senior life can be. And we do this in the beautiful and pristine setting, unlike anything you’ve seen before.

We look forward to sharing it with you and your loved ones.

To learn more about Applewood’s exclusive Engaged Living™ lifestyle or to stop by for a tour, call 732-303-7416.