There will be no in-person or hybrid classes or programs on Dec. 14 (Staff In-Service Day/Professional Day), Dec. 22 (Christmas Eve Observed) and Dec. 25 (Christmas Day).
SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER AT BRIDGEWATER
876 East Main Street
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
908-203-6101
For more information about the programs and activities listed below call the senior wellness center.
Billiards Room – Available daily, Monday to Friday on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Computer Lab – Available daily, Monday to Friday. Senior wellness center members can use the computers at their leisure.
Ping Pong – Available Monday – Friday. Take a shot at this fun game for a great way to improve hand-eye coordination, concentration, and agility.
Table Shuffleboard – Available Monday – Friday.
Qigong Practices with Michael – Mondays & Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – Learn the traditional practice of Qigong, a sitting- meditation that teaches participants to get acquainted with their minds, bodies, and spirits. Beginners will learn to coordinate their breathing techniques with movements and practice exercises (like Tai Chi) until each movement and posture is perfect.
Stronger Seniors: Stretch – Mondays, 1 p.m. Join this simple, pre-recorded exercise program for a safe and thorough stretching routine. This class will help participants feel much more flexible.
(Virtual) Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention with Phillip Chan – Mondays, 1 p.m. & Thursdays, 10 a.m. (Sept. 11 to Jan. 22). Learn how to reduce falls and improve balance. In this class, participants will focus on shifting their body weight through light, controlled movements that flow rhythmically into one long gesture. Studies have shown that practicing tai chi can help reduce pain, fatigue, and stiffness and help participants achieve greater well-being. **This program can be practiced while either standing or sitting. To be added to the waitlist, or for more information, call 908-203-6101.**
(Virtual) Hatha Yoga with Bharti – Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. Improve body posture through breath control and meditation. Practicing Hatha Yoga can provide participants with health benefits, such as aligning the body and improving balance, flexibility, and circulation. **To register, call 908-203-6101 or email donlin@co.somerset.nj.us.**
Card Games – Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Feel free to play your favorite card games with fellow center members at the senior wellness center. There are plenty of tables. **There will be no card games on Dec. 5.**
(Hybrid) Gentle Aerobics with Lisa & Caitlin – Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Exercise and move without putting undue pressure or strain on the body. Learn movements to increase blood circulation, lubricate joints for flexibility, and strengthen and stabilize individual muscles. Gentle aerobics can decrease the risk of falls and make it easier to accomplish day-to-day activities. **Exercises can be practiced while either standing or sitting. The class is open to all skill levels.**
Line Dancing with Connie and Debbie. Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Improve cardiovascular and muscular strength, coordination, and balance while line dancing, which is so much fun it doesn’t even seem like exercise! Line dancing doesn’t require a partner, and it’s a great way to maintain one’s mental and physical health. **This class is suitable for participants with limited mobility. All levels of skill are welcome. For more information, call 908-203-6101.**
Mahjong Club – Learn how to play Mahjong, an interesting game that can help sharpen the brain and keep it supercharged! This club is for anyone who loves the game and wants to have fun and meet new people.
• Wednesday Mornings – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Beginners)
• Wednesday Afternoons – 1 to 4 p.m.
• Friday Mornings – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Take Control with Exercise – Wednesdays & Fridays, 1 p.m. Strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility and balance while boosting stamina during this gentle exercise program, which is presented in a video format. **Exercises can be practiced while either standing or sitting.**
Monthly Book Club – Wednesday, 10 a.m. Join fellow book lovers on Dec. 13, to discuss “Daisy Jones and the Six,” by Taylor Reid. **The club will meet on Wednesday in December instead of the usual Thursday. New members are always welcome.**
Aerobic Chair Exercise with Sabina – Thursdays, 10 a.m. Improve heart health, reduce stress, and lower the risk of depression, diabetes, and osteoporosis while increasing stamina, improving metabolism, and increasing flexibility. **This is an ongoing exercise program for all skill levels. Exercises can be practiced while either standing or sitting.**
Eight-Week Ukulele Bootcamp with Tony – Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. Learn to play music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, including music from artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Buddy Holly, Peter, Paul, and Mary, the Monkees, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Jimmy Buffet, and Hank Williams. Participants will learn to play songs on the first day! **The class is currently full. There will be no class on Dec. 28. There are a limited number of ukuleles available to borrow. For more information and to register for future sessions, call 908-203-6101**
Stronger Seniors, Core Strength – Thursdays, 1 p.m. Join this safe and easy workout to strengthen core muscles by using resistance bands in this pre-recorded exercise program. **Participants can bring resistance bands or borrow bands from the senior wellness center. For more information, call 908-203-6101.**
Project Healthy Bones – Improve balance, strength, flexibility, and posture in this peer-led, 24-week exercise and education program for individuals who are either at risk for osteoporosis or have it. **To be added to the waitlist, or for more information call 908-203-6101.**
Crafts Club – Fridays, 12:30 – 2 p.m. Craft and chat. Knit, crochet, embroider, or bring any crafting project and have fun socializing. **The senior wellness center has limited supplies available. For more information, call 908-203-6101.**
Pinochle Club – Fridays, 1 – 4 p.m. Play Pinochle! **New members are welcome!**
Dec. 1, 11 a.m. – “Winter Wellness Program” by Coordinator Mary Catherine Lundquist, Rutgers University COPSA Institute for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. Learn how to keep fit and healthy during the colder months.
Dec. 4, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Blood Pressure Screenings by Nursing students from the Rutgers School of Nursing. Get a free blood pressure screening from a nursing student. **Walk-ins are encouraged.**
Dec. 4, 11 a.m. – Holiday Cards for Hospice Patients. Bring joy to someone’s holiday and make a colorful and festive holiday card for a hospice patient. **All supplies will be provided. Pre-registration is required. To reserve your seat, call 908-203-6101.**
Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. – Holiday Celebration. Get into the holiday spirit with good friends and live entertainment. Gary will perform holiday favorites for a jolly good time. **Pre-registration is required. To reserve a spot and for more information, call 908-203-6101.**
Dec. 6, 11 a.m. – “Eating for Cancer Prevention” by Cecilia Gomez, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Start the new year on a healthy foot. A poor diet can significantly increase one’s risk of cancer. Learn what foods to eat and what foods to avoid for reducing the chance of developing cancer.
Dec. 7, 11 a.m. – Holiday Fact or Fiction with Caitlin. Test your memory and imagination, and maybe learn something new or shocking by guessing which wild holiday statements are true or false. You may be surprised by the answers.
Dec. 7, 1 p.m. – Lunch & Learn: Let’s Learn and Create Van Gogh by Lisa Bayer, Always Best Care Senior Services. Learn about the short but prolific career of Dutch artist, Vincent Van Gogh whose post-impressionist paintings became famous only after his death. Participants will also create a simplified version of Starry Night using acrylic paint on canvas with step-by-step instructions. **All supplies will be provided. To register and for more information, call 908-203-6101.**
Dec. 8, 11 a.m. – The Swingin’ Singin’ Seniors Holiday Performance. Enjoy an amazingly talented choral group of local seniors who will share their vocal talents while spreading some holiday cheer. Performances such as “Hello Dolly,” “Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da,” and “Lullaby on Broadway” will add cheer to the holiday.
Dec. 11, 11 a.m. – “Practicing Mindfulness” by Anne Lorraine La, Parker Life. Learn the practice of formal and informal mindfulness to reduce stress and anxiety and increase energy levels for a more focused, productive life. Mindfulness can be especially helpful during this busy time of year.
Dec. 12, 11 a.m. – “CASA of SHaW & Quilt Display.” Learn about CASA and SHaW (Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties) and how they help children who are in foster care thrive, such as supporting the Hillsborough Quilting Club to provide foster children with beautiful quilts. Participants will be able to view the incredible handmade quilts.
Dec. 12 & 19, 11 a.m. – Bereavement Support Group. Share common feelings about grief and the renewal process in this support group, which provides participants with a safe place for grieving the death of a loved one. Interfaith, bereavement principles, and universal spiritual concepts are incorporated into this group. Doctor of Ministry, Grief Counselor, and Pastoral Psychotherapist Ronald W. Kaplan will facilitate the discussions. **Everyone’s presence and participation are welcome. For more information, call 908-203-6101.**
Dec. 13, 11 a.m. – Dreidel Games for Hanukkah. Have fun playing the traditional Jewish game of Dreidel to celebrate Hanukkah.
Dec. 15, 10 a.m. – Free Blood Pressure Screenings. Get a free blood pressure screening from a Somerset County Vo-Tech nursing student. **No appointment is necessary.**
Dec. 15, 11 a.m. – NJIO Holiday Performance. Enjoy this classical performance by musicians of all ages. The NJIO allows musicians of all ages and abilities to study and perform classical music with professional musicians and experienced players.
Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – Holiday Performance with the Vo-Tech Dancers. Don’t miss this dazzling festive performance by the Somerset County Vo-Tech students as they tap dance and where beautiful costumes.
Dec. 19, 11 a.m. – Somerville High School Choir Performance. Get into the holiday spirit when talented high school students with beautiful voices and lovely costumes sing.
Dec. 20, 11 a.m. – Christmas Mandala Sand Art. Make a colorful, holiday-themed mandala ornament to take home. **All supplies will be provided. Pre-registration is required. To reserve a seat and for more information, call 908-203-6101.**
Dec. 21, 11 a.m. – Bingo. Partake in friendly competition and play Bingo, which is more than just an exciting activity. Researchers have found that playing Bingo provides multiple health benefits, such as promoting socialization, strengthening hand-eye coordination, and improving concentration, listening, and short-term memory skills.
Dec. 26, 11 a.m. – “Elder Abuse” by Eldercare Educator Josh O’Neal, Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services. Learn how to identify elder abuse and how to stop it. Approximately 1 in 10 seniors experience some elder abuse, but only 1 in 24 cases are reported to the authorities.
Dec. 27, 11 a.m. – Team Trivia with the Somerset County Youth Council. Enjoy friendly competition and challenge the memory when playing this fun team trivia game with members of the Somerset County Youth Council.
Dec. 28, 11 a.m. – Beaded Snowflake Ornament Craft. Create a beautiful snowflake ornament using beads and pipe cleaners. **All supplies will be provided. Pre-registration is required. To reserve a seat and for more information, call 908-203-6101.**
Dec. 29, 11 a.m. – New Year’s Eve Celebration by Joni Lauyer of Ocean Healthcare. Dance and have fun while celebrating the year to come and reminiscing about the year behind.
Lunch
Attendees can invite a friend or neighbor to join them for lunch. All county-operated senior centers provide a nutritionally balanced lunch on Monday through Friday for a suggested donation of $2.50 for anyone age 60 years and above. The menu includes a choice of hot meat-based or meatless entrées or cold meat-based or meatless boxed lunches. Senior center clients must make reservations for lunch by 10 a.m. on the previous business day.
Virtual and Hybrid Programs
Hybrid and virtual programs are noted throughout the schedule. Participants can attend hybrid programs either in person with an instructor or via Zoom.
Participants can join Zoom programs through a web browser without downloading applications or software. A camera (audio and video) is required to participate in Zoom programs.
Zoom Tutorials
Learn how to use Zoom or sign up for a virtual tour at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us. To register for a virtual program or class, call 908-203-6101 or email Donlin@co.somerset.nj.us.
Sunny, with a high of 78 and low of 52 degrees. Sunny in the morning, clear in the afternoon and evening, partly cloudy overnight.
66° and Clear