Hebrew SeniorLife

10/30/2025

Eight hundred years of wisdom gathered around one table! 🎉

NewBridge on the Charles recently celebrated eight residents turning 100 years old. Jerry Wyner, Jay Berkson, Joan Warshaw, Mary Rosenfield, and four other centenarians shared their secrets to longevity with WCVB Channel 5 Boston, and reflected on living through World War II, the Great Depression, and incredible technological changes.
Their advice? Take care of yourself, keep learning, stay busy, and find purpose in every day.

"I think the most important thing is that every day of your life you have to have a meaningful reason to get out of bed," said Wyner, who used ChatGPT to come up with questions for his fellow centenarians, asking about the most underrated virtue in life and small memories that still make them laugh.

What a celebration of life, longevity, and the wisdom that comes with a century of experiences!

Watch here 🎬

A birthday celebration a century in the making was held on Friday.

10/29/2025

💪 Preparing for surgery — and recovery — starts before you enter the operating room.

A new pilot study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society - JAGS, co-authored by researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and collaborating institutions, found that a short program focused on exercise, nutrition, and emotional well-being before surgery can help older adults recover better afterward.

🏃‍♀️ Participants who completed the program — which included physical therapy, nutrition support, and mindset training in the weeks leading up to surgery — showed:

✅ Faster walking speeds after surgery
✅ Improved lower body strength
✅ Higher self-reported physical function

“Older patients often struggle after surgery, not because of age alone, but because their bodies don’t have what they need going in,” said Dr. Dae Hyun Kim, associate director and senior scientist at the Marcus Institute. He also noted that the study shows it’s possible to deliver this kind of preparation program within the short pre-surgery window — and that patients clearly benefit.

💡 The study was supported in part by federal funding from the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health — a powerful reminder of how public investment in research advances knowledge, innovation, and care for older adults.

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4npyHNr

The targeted presurgical program can improve walking speed, mobility, and patient-reported function in older adults

10/28/2025

🎗️ Hearing the words “you have breast cancer” is life-changing at any age — but for many older adults, the journey brings unique challenges. Cancer symptoms, chronic health conditions, and treatment side effects can overlap, making care feel overwhelming.

That's why geriatric-informed oncology matters. It ensures that care is tailored to the whole person, not just the disease. In our latest blog, Dr. Tammy Hshieh, assistant scientist at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and associate physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, shares how comprehensive geriatric assessments can:

🩺 Help doctors tailor individualized treatment plans
🌿Improve quality of life and independence throughout care
🥗 Connect patients to social work, nutrition, and mobility support

Learn more ➡️

Learn how new research is helping shape breast cancer care designed with older adults in mind.

10/27/2025

🌟 Hebrew SeniorLife is pleased to announce that Jack Satter House Rabbi Lior Nevo has received the LeadingAge Massachusetts Heart and Hands Award! 🌟

This award honors individuals who go above and beyond their job responsibilities to deliver person-centered care—building meaningful relationships, creating personalized experiences, and enriching the lives of the people they serve.

Rabbi Lior was recognized for doing just that through her creativity, compassion, and connection to residents. Her work on the “Spectacular Seniors 2025” calendar featuring Jack Satter House residents captured hearts everywhere, went viral, and raised valuable funds for the Jack Satter House Tenants Association. 📸❤️

👏 Congratulations, Rabbi Lior, on this incredible honor! Your work truly embodies the heart and hands of Hebrew SeniorLife.

10/25/2025

Eight hundred years of wisdom gathered around one table! 🎉

NewBridge on the Charles recently celebrated eight residents turning 100 years old. Jerry Wyner, Jay Berkson, Joan Warshaw, Mary Rosenfield, and four other centenarians shared their secrets to longevity with WCVB Channel 5 Boston. Their advice? Take care of yourself, keep learning, stay busy, and find purpose in every day.

"I think the most important thing is that every day of your life you have to have a meaningful reason to get out of bed," said Wyner, who used ChatGPT to come up with questions for his fellow centenarians, asking about the most underrated virtue in life and small memories that still make them laugh.

What a celebration of life, longevity, and the wisdom that comes with a century of experiences!

Watch here!

A birthday celebration a century in the making was held on Friday.

10/24/2025

🎉 Hebrew SeniorLife is proud to announce that our affordable housing community under development in Stoughton has been awarded a $1.4 million state grant through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Affordable Housing Decarbonization Grant Program!

This funding will help us bring 96 units of permanently affordable housing with supportive services to older adults in Stoughton — all while prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility with:

❄️ Modern heating and cooling systems
🏠 Enhanced insulation
💨 Improved air quality
⚡ On-site energy generation

Located at 338 Canton Street, the new community will be designed to meet Passive House standards for exceptional energy efficiency and healthy indoor air quality. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the opening targeted for 2027.

As Hebrew SeniorLife President and CEO Adam Scott shared, “Our commitment to healthy aging extends to the environment older adults live in. By committing ourselves to sustainable design, we can ensure our communities aren’t just healthy for the people who live there, but for our planet as well.” 🌎

Thank you to Governor Maura Healey, Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus, the Town of Stoughton, and all our partners for making this vision a reality!

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3L20JB1

Funding was provided through the Commonwealth’s Affordable Housing Decarbonization Grant Program.

10/23/2025

🎉 We're honored to receive a 2025 WorkWell MA Honorable Mention! 🎉

This recognition celebrates our commitment to employee well-being and highlights innovative programs like Code Lavender — a response system that provides immediate support to frontline caregivers after stressful events.

At Hebrew SeniorLife, we’re proud to foster a workplace culture where wellness can truly thrive. Code Lavender is just one way we care for our staff. In addition to support from mental health providers, it includes a “mobile zen” cart filled with music, tea, aromatherapy, and comforting snacks to help caregivers pause, reflect, and recover. What makes our version unique? Built-in follow-ups that extend care long after the moment has passed.

💬 “Our staff are the heart of everything we do, and this award highlights our ongoing efforts to provide programs and resources that support their health, happiness, and success,” said Dawn Damiano, employee wellness program director.

👏 Congratulations to the Hebrew SeniorLife team and all the other awardees who are raising the bar for workplace wellness! And thank you to the Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts for this recognition!

Learn more ➡️

The award honors initiatives such as Code Lavender, Hebrew SeniorLife’s response system for frontline caregivers after stressful events.

10/22/2025

🧩🎨 Bridging generations through games, conversations, and song!

Students from the JCDS, Boston's Jewish Community Day School returned to Hebrew Rehabilitation Center – Boston for their first monthly visit of the school year, and it was a joyful afternoon for all.

Together, students and patients played word games and puzzles, shared hopes for the year ahead, and colored artwork. They wrapped up the visit with spirited songs, filling the room with music and connection.

This monthly tradition is one we cherish — a meaningful way to celebrate shared traditions and nurture intergenerational relationships grounded in joy and respect.

10/21/2025

🌟 Discover the Healing Power of Music! 🎶

Listening to music, songwriting, singing, and playing an instrument are powerful tools for enhancing health and well-being. At Hebrew SeniorLife, music is present across all our campuses, from resident ensembles and choruses to partnerships with local performance groups, volunteers who bring their musical talents to us, and music therapy.

Our blog explores how music therapy can improve sleep, cognitive function, and emotional resilience in older adults. Meet residents like Mary, who cherish their lifelong connection to music, and learn how music therapy at Hebrew SeniorLife brings joy and healing.

🎵 Learn more:

Learn how music can offer health benefits and enrich every chapter of older adulthood.

10/20/2025

Today, Hebrew SeniorLife joins communities around the world in celebrating Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. Diwali honors the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair — universal values that resonate across all faiths and cultures. May this season bring joy, peace, and prosperity to all who celebrate. ✨

10/17/2025

🎉 Hebrew SeniorLife is proud to celebrate the official launch of the Lunder CareForce Institute! 🎉

A ribbon-cutting event at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center - Boston brought together students, staff, leadership, and members of the Lunder family to celebrate the milestone.

The Institute will help address the growing shortage of frontline health care workers by providing comprehensive training and career advancement opportunities in health and aging programs.

💬 “Providing opportunities for training and career advancement is of great importance to deal with present and future workforce shortages in caregiving fields,” said Margie Lunder, trustee of the Lunder Foundation, which provided a generous commitment to fund the Institute. “The Lunder Foundation is proud to partner with Hebrew SeniorLife.”

The first 20 students began their nurse assistant training program on October 6 — and upon certification, will join Hebrew SeniorLife as personal care assistants at our two Hebrew Rehabilitation Center campuses. Future training sessions will be conducted in partnership with additional employers.

👏 “Bringing the Lunder CareForce Institute to life is yet another example of how Hebrew SeniorLife leads the way in advancing care,” said Tammy Retalic, DNP, MS, RN, Executive Vice President of the Institute. “This achievement reflects the collective dedication of our entire community.”

Learn more about the Lunder CareForce Institute ➡️ https://bit.ly/3KRAnSh

10/16/2025

🏥 After a hospital stay for surgery or illness, many people wonder: What’s the best next step for recovery?

For some, short-term rehabilitation at a skilled nursing facility offers the support and therapy needed to safely regain strength and independence before returning home.

In this blog post, Francis Kibugi, RN, director of nursing at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-Boston’s Rehabilitative Services Unit, shares practical tips for choosing the right facility for you or a loved one — from understanding insurance coverage to comparing quality ratings and asking the right questions about care and safety.

✨ Learn how to make an informed choice that supports healing and peace of mind. ➡️

Learn what questions to consider to help you choose the best facility for your post-acute rehabilitative care.