Fresh goals in every dimension of wellness are in order at the beginning of every new year, and 2025 is no exception. But as our residents know, our Meadowell resources will serve them well, no matter what their resolutions.
Health-related goals naturally top the list here at Meadowood—lose weight, exercise more, focus on healthy foods—but they’re by no means the only changes our residents are aiming for in the upcoming months.
“I want to work on my brain health,” says Ann. “As they say, you’ve gotta use it or you’ll lose it.” It’s a great goal for everyone, and there are lots of opportunities to grow knowledge and keep the brain flexible right here on campus. From the Meadowood Residents Association’s lecture series featuring wide-ranging topics to the current events group, book clubs, Spanish or German Club, and Second Saturday Salon discussions featuring Curiosity U (Meadowood offers a free subscription to the platform for our residents), intellectually stimulating activities abound.
Personal wellness goals run the gamut from improving balance, from “shedding those extra holiday pounds,” and “reducing the need for medications,” to “learning how to use the gym equipment” or improving my golf swing” (yeah, we’ve got a class for that!).
Sue’s goal is to regain her strength after a health setback. “I want to get back to doing the things I enjoy,” she says. The small group training for reconditioning is a perfect option for those who have finished physical therapy and want to continue on and get stronger.
For tailor-made exercise, our residents can get started by taking fitness and balance evaluations and a wellness survey to discover for themselves where they may need a little help. From there, a custom orientation to the weight and cardio rooms can provide a good start. If group exercise is more your thing, attending a few of the more than 40 weekly classes we offer might fit the bill.
“My goal for 2025 is to stay upright, strong, and limber,” Ruth says. Her role as a caregiver depends on her staying fit and healthy. Ruth and her husband, Bruce, take several of our walk-in classes each week, including Strength and Flexibility and Core and Balance. Ruth also plays water volleyball while Bruce takes a spin on one of the cardio machines.
For deeper flexibility and stress reduction, certified instructors teach yoga and tai chi several times a week, including an Aqua Yoga class.
Besides the activities and classes right here at Meadowood, our affiliations off campus with local pickleball courts and golf courses might meet some of those wellness goals, too.
Does fun fitness lure you in? A game of billiards, Wii Bowling, table tennis, croquet, bocce, or putting might scratch that itch. Rumor has it that the cornhole league keeps growing by the day, and many of our residents love to participate in the square dancing club. Taking part in a campus challenge, like joining others in “walking” from Pennsylvania to the Golden Gate Bridge, or down the East coast (logging miles on a map) provides loads of motivation for those who love to walk.
For others, giving back to the community is important. A common goal for many residents is that they want to become more involved at Meadowood as well as the outside community. That’s easy to do, as well. Our MRA has more than 50 clubs, groups, and committees run by resident volunteers. Love retail? Take a shift at the Gosling’s Nest Gift Shop or the Hidden Treasures thrift store. We’re also affiliated with many outside organizations such as the So Much to Give Café, Variety Club, mission outreach, and veterans groups, among others. Directing your compassion to those who live beside you by volunteering in our Health Center can be very rewarding, too.
Environmental Wellness takes many forms. Hikes on local trails, the Victory Garden, Gardening Club, and even a demonstration about maple sugaring (our horticulturist taps our trees), natural resources take center stage for those who love the outdoors. Doug, a Meadowood resident and avid birdwatcher, says, “One of my goals for 2025 is to add to the number of birds, including breeding birds, observed in my atlas block [a term in the birding world that refers to a 3 X 3 square mile territory].” Doug has seen pairs of Bald Eagles and Red-shouldered Hawks on or near campus already and hopes to see evidence that they are nesting here. He says that Meadowood’s 36-acre wooded campus supports over 100 different bird species—a paradise for those who love the outdoors and appreciate having a plethora of wildlife in their backyard.
Spirituality isn’t forgotten, either. Weekly non-denominational, Catholic, and Shabbat services; Bible study; outreach efforts; and support groups offer fellowship and guidance, as well as a way to deepen the connection with others.
For those who are more about hands-on creativity, the ceramics studio, art lessons, woodshop, or craft room are open for business. And there are several jigsaw puzzles waiting in nooks and crannies for anyone with a few free minutes (or hours) and an obsession for finding that little piece with a red corner. Charles, a regular at the puzzle table, posted a sign that lists all the benefits of working puzzles, with problem solving, planning, concentration, and patience among the many attributes he listed. “Great justification for poring over those pieces!”
Social activities have much to offer for those with the aim to bond and build friendships. Card and board games, dances, parties, and trips and travel bring people together in all sorts of ways.
Not a social butterfly? No problem. For those who resolve to have more quiet time in the upcoming year, we’ve got that, too. Our serene campus, cozy nooks and crannies, and lovely homes are perfect for those who just want to be.