Why Choose Meadow Lakes for Assisted Living?
Imagine creating a home in the middle of a park, surrounded by trees, ponds, marshes, flowers, birds, and even a family of swans. That’s what assisted living at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor, New Jersey, is like.
This one-of-a-kind Life Plan Community is set in the heart of the 100-acre Robert A. Winters Arboretum, named after one of the founders of Meadow Lakes. This shady oasis boasts over 5,000 trees of more than 400 different species. Our campus is also home to Tear Drop Lake, Shanks Pond, and Marsh Pond filled with plenty of aquatic life. Wooden bridges and walking paths are found within the campus, making it easy to explore and enjoy the nature that surrounds it.
While most of us don’t need any proof that nature is calming, there is plenty of evidence. A scientific report from nature.com shows that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and well-being, while a study from the Archives of Psychiatric Nursing found that being in nature boosts mood and reduces feelings of isolation.
With all that Meadow Lakes has to offer, being a Life Plan Community is a big advantage. If you’re new to the senior living journey, you may be wondering: what is a Life Plan Community? It’s a community that offers a full continuum of care, meaning you can start in an active, independent living residence and if a shift in independence occurs, you can be rest assured you will be provided with the care you need. A life plan community provides you with the support you need as needs change over time, whether it be in our memory care community for Alzheimer’s and dementia care or in our assisted living community if you end up needing some extra help with daily tasks.
Indeed, Meadow Lakes is full of both simple joys and ample opportunities to enrich your senior living experience — and we’ll take a look at those specifically for our Assisted Living community next.
Unique Features of the Meadow Lakes Assisted Living Campus
Inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, the buildings at Meadow Lake boast wood-and-brick exteriors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Diners in the main dining room look out through these windows at sweeping views of the lake and trees.
It’s a fitting setting for the wide variety of chef-prepared menu options making use of fresh and seasonal ingredients. This fine dining atmosphere is only enhanced with white tablecloths, cloth napkins, and elegant stemware.
The Lakeside Cafe, meanwhile, is a popular alternative offering coffee, quick snacks, and casual meals. It’s a great place to meet up with a friend for a bite and a chat.
Art, Music, and More
Great architecture deserves great art — and the walls at Meadow Lakes are adorned with some of the finest senior artwork in the state. Several of our residents have won awards for their work in the Annual New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show.
But you don’t have to have any experience to head to our art studio in our community, where you can take an art class or do your own painting, sketching, or crafting.
Just like we see with the benefits of time spent in nature, the arts may be linked to better cognitive function, memory, self-esteem, and well-being, according to this report by the National Institute on Aging.
Performing arts, meanwhile, can be enjoyed at our onsite performance hall. One night you might take in a string quartet. The next might feature a dance recital, including ballet, tap, and hip hop, from a local studio. The hall is also used for lectures and presentations, hosting visiting authors. You can also head to the library to dive into a classic novel or the latest bestseller.
Fitness, Fun, and Living Well in Assisted Living
Keeping moving, as we all know, is one of the keys to healthy aging. It’s also easier said than done. That’s where our award-winning LivWell program comes into the picture. Residents meet with program specialists who help them set goals — and then create a plan for reaching those goals.
The goals are made easier, with a state-of-the-art fitness center, personal trainers, exercise classes like tai chi and yoga, sports clubs, and both indoor (heated) and outdoor pools.
Finally, there’s nothing like a game of croquet on a sunny day to have fun and socialize while keeping moving. Meadow Lakes has both an indoor and outdoor court, so residents can take part in this low-impact sport year-round. Jump in on a friendly pick-up game or sign up for regular competition.
Making A Home In Assisted Living
One of our assisted living residents recently commented on our Facebook site that she appreciates being active at Meadow Lakes (she serves on several committees), but she also loves coming home to her apartment to “chill out.”
We tell that story because we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. No matter how nice your surroundings are, you want a home base that’s equally inspiring. Most of our assisted-living apartments are private, one-bedroom apartments with private baths, but semi-private apartments are also available.
Either way, you’ll enjoy the benefits of assisted living, including medication management and help in areas needed such as: bathing, dressing, cleaning, and meal preparation. With assisted living you’ll never be left wondering how to reach, fix, or manage anything. That frees up time to explore nature, relax over a nice meal with friends, sit poolside on a sunny day, or take in a performance.
More About Assisted Living in New Jersey
There’s something about daily life set against the backdrop of nature that’s just, well, special and hard to do justice with just words. If our assisted living lifestyle appeals to the nature-lover in you, please take a minute to arrange a visit. You can grab a coffee and sit by the windows — or outdoors if the weather cooperates — and see what daily life looks like at Meadow Lakes. Have questions? Reach out through our contact form, and we’ll get right back to you. We think you’ll find there’s a bit of magic in the air here and look forward to sharing it with you.
