Somerset County Senior Wellness Centers Offer Exciting Activities in January

SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER AT BRIDGEWATER

876 East Main Street  Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908-203-6101
Project Healthy Bones – Mondays at 10:30 a.m. and Fridays at 12:45 p.m. 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.**

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 while practicing 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) 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.

Card Games – Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Play your favorite card games with fellow center members at the senior wellness center.

Line Dancing –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.

Bereavement Support Group. 11 a.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 2, 16 and 30. 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.**

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. (Advanced players)

• Friday Mornings – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Advanced players)

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 with Nan – Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. Join fellow book lovers to discuss “At The Water’s Edge” by Sarah Gruen. **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 exercise program is appropriate for all skill levels and can be practiced while either standing or sitting.**

Stronger Seniors: Core Strength – Thursdays at 1 p.m. Get a safe and easy workout for core muscles by using resistance bands in this pre-recorded exercise program. **Bring exercise bands, if you prefer.**

(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.**

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!**

Jan. 2 & 29, 11 a.m. – Bingo. Partake in a 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.

Jan. 3, 11 a.m. – “Benefits of Alternative Therapies in Dementia” by Mallory Dubuisson of the Atlantic Adult Day Center. Learn about the different types of therapies that positively impact individuals living with dementia and find out about the benefits of incorporating these therapies into one’s daily routines.

Jan. 4, 11 a.m. – “Making Resolutions for Better Health” by Program Coordinator, Jennifer Korneski, M.P.H. Healthy Living, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County Family & Community Health Sciences. Learn ways to improve your health in the new year.

Jan. 5, 11 a.m. – DJ Winston Freeman. Enjoy favorite music from the 40s through the 90s including music from Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Earth Wind and Fire, Ed Sheeran, Mo-town, and Michael Jackson.

Jan. 8, 11 a.m. – “New Year, New Me” by Clinical Director Connor Stevenson, JAG. Learn how to prevent injuries while reaching weight loss goals.

Jan 9, 11 a.m. – HomeSharing by HomeSharing, Inc. Learn about Homesharing, Inc. a non-profit organization that was established in 1984 to help provide affordable housing in Central New Jersey; representatives help match homeowners with people who need affordable housing in their communities.

Jan. 10, 11 a.m. – Big Band, Swing and More by Kelly Carpenter. Enjoy hit songs that span the ages including Big Band/Swing, music from the 70s, Country, and Broadway.

Jan. 11, 11 a.m. – Mindfulness and Art Therapy by Ellie Mental Health of Central New Jersey with presenters Jordan Mealey, M.A., L.P.C., A.C.S., N.C.C., C.G.R.S., C.C.T.P., and Laura Bancone, M.A., L.P.C., L.P.A.T., A.T.R.-B.C., N.C.C. Learn about mindfulness meditation (focusing on the present) and find out how to practice mindfulness techniques through art.

Jan. 12, 11 a.m. – Snowflake Crafts. Create two different beautiful snowflake decorations using paper bags and cardboard tubes. **Participants should bring toilet paper/paper towel tubes. Registration is required.**

Jan. 16, 11 a.m. – “Natural Aging vs. Dementia” by Andi Knoble, C.A.D.D.C.T., C.A.L.A., C.D.P. of the Residence at Basking Ridge. Learn about the many types of Dementia and its symptom diseases and how to identify normal aging factors.

Jan. 17, 11 a.m. – “Maple Sugaring” by a Naturalist from the Somerset County Parks Commission. Discover the secrets inside a maple tree and learn the techniques used to tap a tree as well as the history of maple sugaring, which includes interesting facts about Native Americans.

Jan. 18, 11 a.m. – “Home Borrowing Program” by the Somerset County Library System (SCLS). Learn about the services at the county’s local libraries, such as different ways to borrow books and movies without leaving the house.

Jan. 19, 11 a.m. – Games and Trivia Challenge by Raritan Valley UNICO. Have fun playing Extreme Pick Up Sticks and Trivia Challenge. Prizes will be awarded to the winners!

Jan. 22, 11 a.m. – The Jersey Girls. Enjoy this talented duo performing an upbeat mix of favorite tunes from the 50s to 80s. Dance and sing to the Shirelles, The Crystals, The Four Seasons, the Orlons, Meghan Trainer, the Drifters, and more.

Jan. 23, 11 a.m. – “HOME (Housing Outreach Multifaith Empowerment) of Somerset County.”

Learn about HOME and how it empowers at-risk families to achieve and maintain independence through strength-based case management services by partnering with a network of religious congregations, government, business, and community organizations.

Jan. 24, 11 a.m. – “Van Horn Comes to Call” by Cynthia Blumenkrantz of the Heritage Trail Association. Enjoy this portrayal of Mrs. Van Horne and learn about the Philip Van Horne house, known as Phil’s Hill, which was used as a headquarters for both American and British officers

During the Revolutionary War.

Jan. 25, 11 a.m. – Fun and Games. Play Dominoes, Left-Right-Center, Close the Box, and more for a relaxing day of fun.

Jan. 26, 11 a.m. – Draw, Paint & Print Winter Scenes with Karen Haake. Create a beautiful winter scene on a card or frame in a three-step, guided process using styrofoam trays, white paper, and watercolors. **All supplies will be included. Supplies are limited. Registration is required.**

Jan. 30, 11 a.m. – Poetry. Listen and share a favorite poem or one you have written.

Jan. 31, 11 a.m. – “Open Enrollment (Medicare Advantage) and Fraud.” Learn about enrolling, changing plans, and tips to prevent fraud during Medicare Advantage’s open enrollment period, which is Jan. 1 – March 31.

More News from Bridgewater

• NJDA Available Funding Opportunity Up to $25,000 Applicants should demonstrate a strong working relationship with local agricultural producers
• Middlesex County Couple Indicted in Alleged Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme From the Office of Attorney General