Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater - April Schedule

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

Billiards & Ping Pong – Available daily.

Computer Lab – Available daily. Participants are invited to use computers at their leisure.

Qigong Practice with Michael Huang – 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.

Table Games Club – Mondays, 1 p.m. Playing Dominoes and Rummikub can help exercise your memory and your concentration, as well as help you meet some new friends. New players can learn the game at 1 p.m. and then continue playing into the afternoon.

Chair Yoga with Jane Puckett – Mondays, 1 p.m. 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. Next session will resume in June.

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. Pre-registration required for classes, please call (908) 203-6101.

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.

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!

Gentle Aerobics – Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Guy and Rosanne will show you how to exercise and move without putting undue pressure or strain on your body. Practice movements that can 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. Current sessions are filled. For more information, please call: (908) 203-6101. No Mahjong on April 15.

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

Beginner Ukulele / Somerset Seniors Hootenanny. 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. 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 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.

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. No Pinochle Club on April 24.

Project Healthy Bones – Fridays, 10:45 a.m. & 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 and a physician consent form are required before the first class and then once every year. Please call the center at (908) 203-6101 for more information. No 12:45 p.m. class on April 24.

April 1 & 22, 10 a.m. – Hearing Screenings with HearingLife. When is the last time you had your hearing checked? Screenings are used to check a person's ability to hear specific sound frequencies at normal hearing levels. This screening does not diagnose hearing loss but helps identify individuals who may need a more comprehensive hearing evaluation. Nearly 25 percent of those aged 65 - 74, and 50 percent of those who are 75 and older, have hearing loss. HearingLife will offer free hearing screenings, to help you determine if your ears need some help. Space is limited and appointments are required, please call (908) 203-6101 to make an appointment.

April 1, 11 a.m. – Lenape Culture with Douglas Aumack from the Arts Institute of Middlesex County. The Lenape, also called Lenni Lenape, people are an indigenous group that lived in what is now known as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Learn about the life of this native group and the legacy they left behind. Presentation will include male/female roles Lenape society, listing of animals hunted, trapped, caught and preserved, crops grown, difference in culture Lenape & western civilization.

April 2, 11 a.m. – Spring Craft with Center Staff and Volunteers. Register in advance (space is limited) to create a seasonal bunny! We will provide all the supplies; you’ll need to bring your imagination and creativity!

April 2, 1 p.m. – Traveling Library with Noah Anderson, Somerset County Library System of New Jersey. All of what you expect from your library, right at the Senior Wellness Center! Browse the traveling collection, place hold requests for specific titles, or troubleshoot the library ebook App, Libby! Renew or sign-up with your library today!

April 3 – Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater – Closed

April 6, 11 a.m. – Origami Class with Itoko Kobayashi. What is Origami? Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. In modern usage, the word “origami” is often used an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin. Origami will promote finger mobility, cognition, and artistic sense. Let’s fold and create a Spring motif Origami with colorful paper.

April 7, 11 a.m. – Plan Ahead with Claudia Ernst, Eldercare Educator, Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services. Plan Ahead is a topic most people avoid discussing as they do not know how to start the conversation about what they want their health plan to look like and what to do after they do start the conversation. This presentation will go over questions to ask yourself, forms that you should have completed and resources to get you on the right track to better plan for your future medical, financial, and personal needs.

April 7 & 21, 11 a.m. – Bereavement Support Group. 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.

April 8, 11 a.m. – Everyone Has a Story, Carol Satz, Garden State Storytellers League. Today, everyone is encouraged to join in and share “their story.” Audience members are invited to participate in telling their own stories as inspired by the stories told by the Garden State Storytellers.

April 9, 11 a.m. – Games with Jess. Get ready to play fun (and possibly new!) games together as a large group, using the projector screen. Will it be Boggle, Trivia, or a crowd suggestion? Join us to find your new favorite and learn new games while having fun!

April 10, 14, 20, and 30, 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.

April 13, 11 a.m. – My Retirement Journey, with Phil Munkacsy. A lighthearted look at retirement and getting it right. A humorous look at the trials and tribulations of retirement and how to live it. Based on Phil’s experiences and “mistakes” that have created his journey.

April 15, 10:30 a.m. – Springtime in Paris with Gordon James. The flowers are starting the bloom, the sun is out, and we’re thinking of beautiful Paris in the sun! Let’s party with the wonderful Gordon James and get dancing!

April 15, 1 p.m. – New Club Discussion. Join Jessica and brainstorm new clubs we can start at the Senior Center! What do you enjoy? What do you want to see? Let’s talk and generate new club ideas!

April 16, 11 a.m. – Armchair Travels. Travel around the world while enjoying the comfort of the Main Dining Room! Let’s visit countries where our friends and neighbors are from or select a new locale we’ve never been. Rick Steves and his YouTube videos will be our tour guide as we venture off to new places.

April 16 & 30, 2 – 4 p.m. – Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder (MOM) Workshop with Kate Warnebold. MOM is a researched and proven program designed to give women the tools they need to take control of bladder and bowel leakage. Participants learn strategies for preventing or lessening symptoms including information sharing, group activities, simple exercises, and dietary changes. This evidence-based program will be facilitated on April 16, April 30, and May 14. Pre-register by calling the Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater at (908) 203-6101.

April 17 & 27, 11 a.m. – Living History Project (with Jess). We are all pieces of history; living history. Let’s preserve and share our stories, whether together or privately. We will break this into small segments, and over time – your beautiful and amazing works of art will be created! If you want to share your story, we can plan a (future) share session, too. We will gather, document, preserve, and present YOUR living history. We will be travelling down Memory Lane together.

April 22, 11 a.m. – Create Your Own Floral Arrangement with Hanna Efrus of Brandywine. Enjoy designing your own beautiful floral arrangement using a variety of fresh flowers and greenery. During this relaxing and creative activity, participants can explore color combinations, textures, and styles while arranging their bouquet to take home or display. This hands-on experience celebrates the beauty of spring and provides a wonderful opportunity for creativity, socialization, and self-expression. Space is limited, please call (908) 203-6101 to register in advance for the event.

April 23, 10 a.m. – Monthly Book Club with Noah. Join us for a discussion of the book, “Lazarus Man”, by Richard Price. New members are always welcome!

April 23, 11 a.m. – GI Health with Dr Sferra of Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation.

This seminar helps to provide information as to how and why GI symptoms occur and how to restore Gut Health and a healthy microbiome by addressing the mechanisms that cause the disorder. If you are struggling with ongoing GI symptoms and are tired of the same old recommendations of antacids and antibiotics, we may have effective, drug free solutions to restore your health.

April 24, 11 a.m. – Earth Day Project & Planting. Let’s celebrate Earth Day two ways. First, we will gather your unused, reusable shopping bags (through the month of April) to donate to The Food Bank Network of Somerset County. If you have clean reusable tote bags at home that you no longer need, please consider bringing them in for our group donation to the Food Bank. Second, we will plant seeds together - and you’ll take your planting home to grow. April showers bring May flowers, no green thumb necessary.

April 28, 11 a.m. – Karaoke. Come sing your heart out! Whether it’s your favorite song, or a tune that’s new to you – we will provide the music and lyrics but need your voices to make it fun. For all ages and experiences, solo or groups, sing it, seniors!

April 29, 11 a.m. – My Life in Quotes with Phil Munkacsy. How have quotations defined Phil and his personal philosophy on life? Quotations can be used in daily social interactions and lifestyle. Today, Phil moderates a session for clients to share their personal favorites, and the impacts on their lives.