THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION PAGE 24 NOV 2026-JAN 2027 theconnectionsnj.com SENIOR LIVING theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 24 For those beginning to think about a move, The Heath Club offers a way to get started. A fully refundable $1,000 deposit provides early access to pricing and home selection while keeping your options open. The Fields expansion represents growth, but it also represents continuity. New homes. New gathering spaces. New neighbors and new possibilities-all within a community grounded in the same values that have endured for generations. The next chapter doesn’t have to mean starting over. Sometimes, it means finding a new place to continue living the life you already love-with a little more room for what’s ahead. Discover The Fields expansion at HeathVillage.com or call 908-975-1312. hat makes a place feel like home? It may be the view from your window, the neighbor who waves as you walk by or the familiar faces you see each morning. Maybe it’s having a favorite table at dinner, a trail you love to walk, or a place where everyone knows your name. At Heath Village, these seemingly simple moments have always been at the heart of our community. Now, as The Fields expansion takes shape just across from the existing campus, this new neighborhood is being created with those same everyday moments in mind. The vision is more than adding new residences. It’s about creating another place where people can settle in, find their rhythm and build a life that feels distinctly their own. The Fields will introduce 140 new homes in a setting designed to complement the natural beauty that has long defined Heath Village. Spacious, light-filled interiors, private outdoor spaces and modern conveniences make everyday living easier, while walking paths, gardens and open green spaces invite residents to enjoy the scenery and connect with neighbors along the way. A new 24,000-square-foot clubhouse will become a natural gathering place, with dining and a bar, fitness and wellness spaces, an art studio and plenty of room to socialize. Meet a friend for lunch, take an exercise class, spend time in the studio or gather at the Pub-the day is yours to shape. And while The Fields will have its own identity, it will remain part of something much larger. Residents will have access to the established Heath Village campus, its amenities, programs, trails and activities, as well as the people and traditions that have shaped the community since 1966. It’s a chance to experience something new while becoming part of the rare find that is Heath Village. As a Life Plan Community, Heath Village offers the reassurance of additional support and care should needs change over time. It’s a simple philosophy: plan for tomorrow while making the most of today. COMMUNITY NEWS... A New Neighborhood. The Same Heath Village Spirit. W The next chapter doesn’t have to mean starting over. Sometimes, it means finding a new place to continue living the life you already love-with a little more room for what’s ahead. y beautiful Mom-in-law celebrated her 102nd birthday on September 11, 2026, 25 years after the tragedy of 9-11. She was seventy-seven years old then, the same age I am today. What began with happy birthday wishes quickly became one of the most agonizing days in the history of our country, and across the world. Each birthday still begins with happy birthday wishes but is highlighted by the tolling of bells and reading of 3,000 names. Mom is doing wonderfully, getting great attention at Mira Vie in Warren, and if she is not the oldest resident, she is pretty close. She has been there for close to a dozen years. I spoke with her at dinnertime the day before her birthday, wanting to wish her a wonderful birthday and concerned since she had an “off day.” She was getting ready to eat dinner (a very good sign) and anxious to be with her friends (another good sign), so it was brief. Our calls are always filled with love when we speak. I reminded her we were coming to see her to celebrate together in a few days, and she was appreciative and, I believe, hungry! We said our goodbyes. Within an hour, we got a worrisome call, and although, she is doing well right now, thank goodness, we were not prepared for “the call.” In reality, when a parent is elderly, which we can declare she is, there is always that concern when the phone rings. This time, an ambulance was on its way to transport her to the hospital for an “episode.” We are so fortunate that my sisterin-law was able to see her and report back to us that she was in good spirits and, because of her age, no triage was necessary. She was immediately taken to a room, and they were working to determine what caused the episode. Now, back to “the call.” It is impossible, I believe, not to go to the dark side, regardless of the age of the patient when you receive that call. In the elderly, first thoughts are stroke or heart issues, but often urinary tract infections can cause a myriad of symptoms, including fever, disorientation, vomiting, or pain in the back or side. Additionally, vasovagal syncope, or fainting, increases the risk of falling, which can lead to serious injuries such as fractures or head trauma. Doctors usually address these common causes immediately to rule them out. Like this one, there are times when “the call” announces the necessity for immediate transport to a hospital for one’s parent. Although they may protest, doing what is best may have to take priority over appeasing them. There may be things done to help the patient recover, and their fear may cloud their judgment at present, but assessment is important for peace of mind. We may have only that one time to make the correct decision, so take a minute-and a deep breathand listen to those who have experience. I believe you will feel better long after, as the event becomes a memory, especially if your parents or family members are able to regain their healthy lifestyle once again. SENIOR CORNER That Call By Ellyn Mantell M y beautiful Mom-in-law cele In reality, when a parent is elderly, which we can declare she is, there is always that concern when the phone rings. This time, an ambulance was on its way to transport her to the hospital for an “episode.”
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