The Connections Bridgewater-Somerville Edition April/May 2026

SENIOR LIVING

PAGE 28

SENIOR CORNER Honoring Memory, Advancing Care By Ellyn Mantell L

COMMENDS Heath Village: In Full Bloom with New Beginnings in our Timeless Community CONNECTION

430 Schooley’s Mountain Rd. Hackettstown, NJ 908-852-4801 www.heathvillage.com

s Spring approaches and the cam pus begins to bloom, so does an exciting new chapter at Heath Village . For more than 60 years, our community has been a place where people don’t simply live-they thrive. Surrounded by natural beauty and grounded in connection, Heath Village has long been a trusted choice for those seeking an active, engaging, maintenance-free lifestyle. This season of renewal feels like the perfect time to share what’s next: the expansion of Inde pendent Living on our West Campus! Located just across the street from our Main Campus, this thoughtfully planned neighborhood will introduce 140 new res idences, including 84 apartments and 56 villas. Designed with comfort, flexibility, and convenience in mind, these new homes reflect the quality and livability that have defined Heath Village for decades. Wheth er you prefer the ease of apartment living or the added privacy of a villa, each residence offers a fresh opportunity to embrace the lifestyle you love. At the heart of the West Campus will be a vibrant 24,000-square-foot clubhouse-a wel coming gathering place designed to bring neighbors together. Inside, residents will enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness studio, an art studio for creative exploration, a lively pub, a full-service restaurant, and inviting spac es for socializing, learning, and relaxation. More than a building, the clubhouse will serve as the centerpiece of an active, con nected lifestyle. A s Spring approaches and the cam

meandering walking trails offer peaceful moments among the changing seasons. Flexibility remains central to our vision. With both rental and entrance fee options available, future residents can choose the financial model that best aligns with their plans and goals. This thoughtful approach ensures that Heath Village continues to meet the evolving needs of today’s retirees. As we step into this new season, our com munity continues to represent growth rooted in tradition. We honor our 60-year legacy while embracing the future with intention and care.

ike so many diseases or condi tions, dementia treatments are evolving. Living in south Florida, we interface with countless people who are either experienc ing the decline of acuity or caregiving a loved one. Early recognition is, of course, critical to taking advantage of preventative options, and it is now considered more im portant than ever to live a healthy lifestyle. This appears to be one of the best weapons.

a fervent fundraiser for Alzheimer’s re search, I do believe that day is coming. What I can share with you, on good au thority, is that there is a link to staving off many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. That link is with healthy lifestyle habits. Although this will not come as a shock, it is clearly a state ment to take seriously. Eating clean foods 80% of the time, exercising regularly, doing puzzles or other acuity challenges, reducing stressors on the body and mind all add up to making a great difference in mental decline. Perhaps a step beyond “use it or lose it”, fill ing our minds and bodies with good com mon sense approaches can prove invaluable. At a rally for a recent Alzheimer’s Asso ciation fundraiser, our community hosted a remarkable couple as our keynote speak ers. Only in their early seventies, Dave and Claire are experiencing firsthand the effects of the disease. Dave has been suffering for the past three years and has given credence to the philosophy that to control the disease is a multi-pronged approach. He and Claire are living a very clean and healthy lifestyle; in addition to daily workouts both physically and mentally, he is taking advantage of the newest combination of meds available, and he is sharing his journey with all who are in terested…and there are many of us! We were grateful for the opportunity to see an optimis tic couple who have embraced their future with hope, support, love and commitment to travel the road together, wherever it leads. Early recognition is, of course, critical to taking advantage of preven tative options, and it is now considered more important than ever to live a healthy lifestyle.

Truly the best way to experience Heath Village is to see it in action. Join us for an upcoming event to meet residents, connect with our team, and discover firsthand the energy, friendships, and opportunities that define daily life here and see the beauty of our campus. Call 908-852-4801 to register for our on-site events. • Mother’s Day Sip & Succulent Event – May 5th: Design a beautiful succulent ar rangement to take home while enjoying cocktails and great company! • Campus Nature Walk Tour & Luncheon – June 16th: Join our resident hikers and tour our nature walking trails, our rustic campus, and an apartment followed by an outdoor lunch. • Garden Tour & Luncheon –July 21st: Connect with our talented resident gardeners and dedicated Grounds Team as they share the story behind our thriving community garden. Refreshments to follow. • Cocktails in the Courtyard –August 20th: Good Friends. Great Drinks. Gorgeous Courtyard. Join us for an unforgettable af ternoon at Heath Village . We look forward to welcoming new neigh bors, new energy, and new possibilities as our community continues to flourish today, and for many more seasons to come!

My darling father-in-law died at 91 years old of Alzheimer’s Disease in Feb ruary 2013, and losing the man we knew and loved long before he died was terribly painful. Recently, however, we lost a life long friend who was only in his mid-seven ties and had suffered the most horrific de cline for over ten years. We were shocked when we began to notice changes when he was in his sixties. How could that be? His diagnosis of primary progressive apha sia and Alzheimer’s Disease dealt a blow to all of us who knew and loved this bril liant athlete and remarkable human being. If there was nothing to add to this story, I would not be writing this column. But there is much to encourage us, and that is what I wish to highlight. Granted, I would love to shout from the rooftops that there is a medical cure for Alzheimer’s Disease and all degenerative neurological disor ders. Sadly, I cannot do that. But I can tell you that there are countless studies, tri als and reports that are surfacing, and as

This expansion beautifully complements the amenities residents already enjoy. From our restaurants and pubs to the heated saltwa ter pool, gardens and greenhouse, and wood working shop, opportunities for enrichment are everywhere. Outdoor favorites-including shuffleboard, pickleball, bocce, and tennis courts-encourage friendly competition while

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