WESTWOOD—Save the date: Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when local senior citizen service providers team up with Westwood For All Ages for Westwood Thrive.
It’ll be an afternoon of fun, information, resources, and activities that organizers say will showcase the importance of age-friendly planning, intergenerational relationships, and dynamic community building.
The goal is to help rebuild social and community connections that may have diminished for older residents during pandemic shutdowns and distancing while bringing forward a greater awareness and appreciation for what it means to be an Age-Friendly Community.
Featured will be local businesses that provide services for older residents as well as non-profit associations that offer resources for seniors, short presentations on nutrition, safety, estate planning and more.
The free event will include a musical performance, at 2 p.m., with Mama D & The Vexations as well as fun community building activities.
A schedule of events will be published as the event nears. Committed to presentations and exhibits:
- Meals on Wheels North Jersey, offering information on their services including their newly launched music therapy program;
- Westwood Recreation, with demonstrations of their popular ForeverYoung classes;
- Westwood Public Library, presenting current literature and media of interest as well as the numerous community resources they offer for all residents;
- Celebrate Westwood, with information on volunteering in Westwood;
- The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, discussing the growing state and national age-friendly community initiatives;
- Matthew Kitz of Edward Jones, presenting “The Four Pillars of Retirement”;
- Swapping Scenes, teaching how to declutter your home for safety and peace of mind;
- Senior Source, presenting HomeFit; and
- Dr. Cathy Gurman of Westwood Family Chiropractic, with an interactive chair yoga session; plus more presentations on health and wellness.
Westwood Thrive is generously sponsored by Becker Funeral Home, Edward Jones (Matthew Kitz), Hackensack University Medical Center (Pascack Valley), North Jersey Villages, The Paula Clark Group, Swapping Scenes, Valley Bank and Westwood Family Chiropractic.
According to Westwood for All Ages Program Manager Lisa Bontemps, “We know that the pandemic revealed the importance of strong community ties. We hope that this event will help all residents identify the areas where they can not only access assistance and information but also find places where they can participate in the community and contribute their talents and knowledge.”
Bontemps added, “This will also be a celebration of the recognition Westwood received in 2019 when it was inducted into the AARP Network of Livable Communities because of all the many wonderful programs and resources we have right here in Westwood to help older residents thrive as they age in place.”
To register to attend this free event, visit westwoodforallages.org.
Businesses, associations and community groups wishing to participate as exhibitors or sponsors should email ww4allages@gmail.com or visit westwoodforallages.org.
About Westwood For All Ages
Westwood for All Ages is an initiative to make Westwood an age-friendly community — a place where all people can live well and thrive even as they age. This program was created through a grant provided by The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation.
Westwood for All Ages is committed to raising the community’s awareness of its senior residents, ensuring that their voices are heard and their ongoing contributions are recognized.
Westwood for All Ages was recognized by AARP and the World Health Organization as an Age Friendly Community and as a result Westwood was inducted into the Network of Age Friendly States and Communities in early 2019.
— Submitted