Blog

As things slowly reopen and people start venturing to places other than the local grocery store, we find ourselves adjusting to a new normal, spending more time at home and longing for a sense of purpose. It might seem like you’ve watched every TV show and read every book on the shelf, so now what?

We asked Program Directors at all Northbridge communities to share some fun projects they’ve incorporated into daily life at their communities that provide a sense of purpose. We’ve picked just a few to share with you. These projects are fun and easy to recreate in your own home! All Northbridge communities incorporate purposeful programming into daily schedules. Everyone needs to have purpose in their life, not matter what age.

1. Watercolor painting: Most people don’t realize how much they enjoy creating art until they have the time to really experiment with it. Try purchasing some watercolor paint, paint brushes and paper to create your own masterpiece! Programmer tip: watercolor pencils work great and are nice for those just starting out!

2. Painted Rocks: all you need for this project is acrylic paint, posca pens, and a few inspirational quotes! To start take a nice outdoor walk, collecting some medium size rocks along the way. Paint your collected rocks and let the acrylic paint dry then write your fun and inspirational messages on the rocks. The last step is to take another walk leaving your rocks along the way for others to read and enjoy.

3. A Daily Jot: keep a daily journal and if you feel like it, invite other friends or family to keep one along with you. You can pick topics to write about and share your entries with each other. Granite Hill Estates Program Director, Dawn, asks her residents to contemplate these 6 daily questions:

What am I grateful for today? Who am I checking in on, or connecting with today? What expectations of “normal” am I letting go of today? How am I getting outside today? How am I moving my body today? What beauty am I creating, cultivating, or inviting in today?

If you are keeping a journal at home, you can answer these questions as part of your daily jot!

4. Baking: one of our favorite signature programs at Northbridge is Cooking up Memories. Cooking up Memories involves using nostalgic smells and tastes to bring to life pleasant memories and emotions from the past. This can be as simple as cookies or as complex as blueberry crumble. It’s not so much the food that your making but the memories you have attached to the dish. Never underestimate the power of a simple chocolate chip cookie! Looking for a fun recipe that will promote brain health? Check out this Blueberry Oatmeal Cookie recipe from our community, Avita of Needham.

Keeping your mind active and engaged is just as important as keeping your body active and engaged as you age. After retiring, finding projects that engage us and make us feel a sense of purpose are vital. Everyone needs to feel a connection to the larger society. Projects like painting rocks to spread joy to to others and daily jots to stay connected with friends and family give us purpose and connection.

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Discover life at a Northbridge community

If you’re considering senior living for yourself or a family member, we hope you’ll visit one of our communities. You’ll find a maintenance-free, activity-filled and engaging lifestyle to help support your wellness goals.

You’ll also discover many benefits in a Northbridge Senior Living community, including our Signature Program S.T.A.R. Club (Sharp Thinking, Active Residents) – which offers our residents several activities to participate in with others, including:

• Daily exercise group
• Walking club
• Tai Chi & yoga
• Nutritional classes
• Library and book club
• Museum outings
• Artists in residence program
• Multi-generational music
• Genealogy Generations

If you are considering senior living as the right choice for yourself or a loved one, we invite you to Find a Northbridge Community near you to learn more. We look forward to getting to know you!