SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER AT BRIDGEWATER - November events

SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER AT BRIDGEWATER
876 East Main Street
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
908-203-6101

Qigong Practices with Michael – Mondays & Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Michael will teach the traditional practice of Qigong (a meditation that focuses on getting acquainted with the mind, body, and spirit). Beginners will learn breathing techniques coordinated with physical movements and then practice sets of exercises (like Tai Chi) until each movement or posture is perfected. No class on November 10th.

Project Healthy Bones – Mondays, 10:30 a.m. & Fridays, 12:45 p.m. Project Healthy Bones (PHB) is a peer-led, 24-week exercise and education program for individuals who either are at risk for osteoporosis or have it. Exercises focus on improving balance, strength, flexibility, and posture. Advanced registration is required. A doctor’s note is also required before the first class and then once every year. Please call the center for more information.

Table Games Club – Mondays, 1 p.m. Playing games like Dominoes, Rummikub, Scrabble, and more can help exercise your memory and your concentration, as well as help you meet some new friends.

Chair Yoga with Jane Puckett – Mondays, 1 p.m. (September 22 – November 17). Chair yoga can help increase bone density, improve strength, flexibility and balance while immersed in a relaxing class. Expect lots of gentle stretching to bring movement to joints and muscles. Jane’s class is perfect for relieving stress and gaining an overall sense of well-being. Cost is $40 for the 8-week program. Please contact the center for more information.

Hatha Yoga with Bharti – Tuesdays & Fridays, 9:30 a.m. Hatha Yoga incorporates body postures, controlled breathing, and meditation. Practicing Hatha Yoga has many benefits, including stretching and aligning the body, improved balance and flexibility, a more supple spine, and better circulation. Bring your own yoga mat. No class in November.

Bereavement Support Group – 11 a.m., Tuesdays, November 18 & 25. Grieving the death of a loved one is a universal experience. The purpose of this support group is to provide participants with a safe place to share common feelings about grief and the renewal process. The group incorporates interfaith bereavement principles and universal spiritual concepts. Ronald W. Kaplan, Doctor of Ministry, Grief Counselor, and Pastoral Psychotherapist will facilitate discussions. We welcome your presence and participation. Please call 908-203-6101 to register.

Card Games – Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Have a card game you would like to play? Do you and your friends need a table? Feel free to play your favorite card game here at the Senior Wellness Center.

Bridge Club – Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Playing Bridge can sharpen your short and long-term memory and focus and can help delay the onset of dementia. This club is for experienced players.

Line Dancing – Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Line Dancing is a perfect exercise for those wanting to improve their coordination and balance. Exercise your body and your memory!

Geri-Fit with Radhika – Tuesdays, 3 - 4 p.m. (September 16 – December 16). Rebuild the strength lost through the aging process to gain a higher level of functioning. This class combines strength training with stretching and range-of-motion exercises, stability, and balance training for fall prevention, cardiovascular activity for heart health, and gait exercises to help improve walking. **Weights and stretch bands provided. Bring water. Exercises are done sitting in chairs. Standing is optional. Space is limited.** This unique and beneficial evidence-based exercise program is facilitated 1x/week, for 12 weeks. Pre-registration is required. For more information, please call 908-203-6101.

Gentle Aerobics – Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Gretel will show you how to exercise and move without putting undue pressure or strain on your body. Practice movements will increase blood circulation, lubricate joints for flexibility, and strengthen individual muscles. These exercises may help to decrease falls and make it easier to accomplish day-to-day activities. This program can be done while either standing or sitting and is open to all abilities.

Mahjong Club – Mahjong is a great game to keep your brain sharp and supercharged. This club is for anyone who loves the game, wants to meet new people, and have some fun. This is not a competitive club. Join fellow center members to play this thought-provoking game. Club size is limited, registration for one time frame is required. For more information, please call: 908-203-6101.

• Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Wednesdays, 1 – 4 p.m.
• Fridays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Take Control with Exercise – Wednesdays, 1 p.m. This gentle exercise program, in video form, is for all skill levels. Exercises can be practiced while either standing or sitting. This program will strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility and balance while boosting stamina.

Stronger Seniors: Core Strength – Thursdays, 1 - 2 p.m. This pre-recorded exercise program utilizes resistance bands to give you a safe and easy workout for your core muscles. Feel free to bring your own band. No class November 6th.

Beginner Ukulele / Somerset Seniors Hootenanny –Thursdays 9:30 – 10 a.m. This is an opportunity to learn to make music for your own pleasure and to be able to happily say, “I did that!” We will pick from artists like Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Buddy Holly, Peter, Paul & Mary, the Monkees, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Jimmy Buffett, Hank Williams, just to name a few. Players from previous Bootcamp sessions are welcome back, as well as new ukulele players and other instrumentalists and singers. No previous musical training or experience is necessary. Class size is limited; registration is required. A limited number of ukuleles are available to borrow, and first-time players will be prioritized for loans. Please call 908-203-6101 to register, and request a ukulele, if needed.

• Beginners Group: Thursdays, 9:30 – 10 a.m.
• Beginners and More Experienced Musicians: Thursdays, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Aerobic Chair Exercise with Sabina – Thursdays 10 a.m. Aerobic chair exercises provide many health benefits, such as improving heart health; reducing stress; lowering the risk of depression; reducing the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis; increasing body stamina; improving metabolism, flexibility, and stamina. This is an ongoing exercise program for all levels and skills. Exercises can be done standing or sitting.

Time for Chess – Thursdays, 1 p.m. Would you like to exercise both sides of your brain? How about improving your focus, creativity, and confidence? Experienced players are welcome.

Pinochle Club – Wednesdays & Fridays, 1 – 4 p.m. Both experienced and those new to pinochle are welcome to attend this group. There are many benefits of playing pinochle and other card games such as cognitive stimulation, enhancement of motor skills, short- and long-term memory as well as fun through social interactions.

Stronger Seniors: Stretch – Fridays, 1 p.m. Stretch your muscles and loosen your joints with this wonderful, pre-recorded program. You can remain seated while stretching your whole body. You will feel such a difference in just 45 minutes.

November 3, 11 a.m. – Thank You Cards for Caregivers and Veterans. During this month, the Office on Aging and Disability Services will be showing its appreciation to caregivers and veterans. Let’s help show our own appreciation for the sacrifices and selflessness that these incredible people show for others by making thank you cards for them.

November 12, 11 a.m. – Bingo. Bingo is more than exciting activity. Researchers have found that engaging in Bingo has multiple health benefits such as promoting socialization, strengthening hand-eye coordination and improving concentration, listening and short-term memory.

November 5, 11 a.m. – Fun & Games with John. Dominoes, Left-Right-Center, Pass the Pigs… some of our most fun as children came from playing games, such as Dominoes, Left-Right-Center and Pass the Pigs. Let’s have a relaxing day playing these old favorite games!

November 6, 11 a.m. – Jewelry Making sponsored by Angelina Carrano from CareOne at Somerset Valley Rehabilitation. Who doesn’t like a new piece of jewelry? Join Angelina to make a lovely bracelet to take home. Pre-registration is required; supplies will be provided.

November 6, 1 p.m. – Somerset County Library System: Mobile Library Visit. The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey is coming to the Senior Wellness Center! Come browse a collection of books, movies, music and more, register or renew your library card, and learn about the services and programs the library has to offer. The library will visit twice a month with something new and can accept returns from any of our Branches.

November 7, 11 a.m. – Lens on the World: Margaret Bourke-White, Pioneering Photojournalist with Carol Simon-Levin. Did you know that some of the most enduring photographs of America in the 1930s and 1940s were taken by a woman from Bound Brook? Join Carol Simon Levin to “meet” Margaret Bourke-White, a local photographer and photojournalist whose work is still famous to this day.

November 10, 10 a.m. – Veterans Appreciation Event with The Pettet’s, Sponsored by Mary Ellen Day from Grace Healthcare Services. We want to thank all our veterans for their courage, strength and dedication to keeping us safe with a patriotic performance by The Pettet’s. The Pettet’s have performed at the White House, on Broadway, and more! They will have everyone singing along and reminiscing.

November 11 – Senior Center Closed – Veterans Day

November 13, 11 a.m. – Poetry Share Extraordinaire with Yolanda. Poetry can engage all our senses and revive our memories, and everyone can find a poem that strikes a chord with them. Join center client and volunteer, Yolanda, to share the poems we love. Bring in a poem you love and maybe one you wrote.

November 14 & 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Blood Pressure Checks. Nursing students from the Rutgers School of Nursing will be joining us to provide free blood pressure screenings. Stop in to check your health and help them learn.

November 14, 11 a.m. – Instrument Meditation with Christina Flanagan from Avalon Assisted Living. Christina will be joining us for the final part of her monthly series of meditation sessions, using gentle sounds to help guide your way to relaxation.

November 17, 11 a.m. – Jersey Girls Performance. The Jersey Girls are an experienced duo focusing on an upbeat mix of favorite tunes across decades from the 50s-80s. Whether you are dancing or singing along, the audience will be engaged. Songs of the Shirelles, The Crystals, The Four Seasons, the Orlon’s, Meghan Trainer and the Drifters to name a few.

November 18, 11 a.m. – Lung Cancer Prevention with Monica Gilles from Rutgers Cancer Institute. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, globally and in the US, and November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Join Monica to learn how to prevent and detect lung cancer.

November 19, 10 – 11:15 a.m. Blood Pressure Checks. Nursing students from the Somerset County Vo-Tech will be joining us to provide free blood pressure screenings. Stop in to check your health and help them learn. No appointment is necessary.

November 19, 11 a.m. – Somerset County Library System: Mobile Library Visit. The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey is coming to the Senior Wellness Center! Come browse a collection of books, movies, music and more, register or renew your library card, and learn about the services and programs the library has to offer. The library will visit twice a month with something new and can accept returns from any of our Branches.

November 20, 10 a.m. – Monthly Book Club with Noah from Somerset County Library System. Join us for a discussion of the book “Community Board” by Tara Conklin. New members are always welcome.

November 20, 11 a.m. – Senior Medicare Patrol with Joel Schneider from Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County. There are many scams being perpetrated against seniors. Join Joel as he provides education regarding strategies and techniques regarding how to protect our personal information from being stolen by cyber criminals and other criminal elements.

November 21, 11 a.m. – Music with Terrific Ted, Sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living. Ted Chletsos has a powerful tenor voice and has performed on stages around the world! Join us to listen to his fantastic singing and also sing and dance along with his dynamic performance!

November 24, 11 a.m. – Pumpkin Turkey Craft. Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, so let’s make a decoration for your table. Using a miniature ceramic pumpkin and fabric leaves, we will create festive turkeys to set the scene for your Thanksgiving celebration. Pre-registration is required, and supplies are provided.

November 25, 11 a.m. – Fun & Games with John. Some of our fun as children came from playing games such as dominoes, Left-Right-Center, and Pass the Pigs. Let us have a relaxing day playing these old favorite games.

November 26, 11 a.m. – Bingo with Kristina from Country Arch Care Center. Bingo is more than an exciting activity. Researchers have found that playing Bingo has multiple health benefits such as promoting socialization, strengthening hand-eye coordination, and improving concentration, listening and short-term memory. Join Kristina to play this exciting game and maybe win a prize!

November 27 & 28 – Senior Center Closed – Thanksgiving