Hebrew SeniorLife

12/12/2025

Simon C. Fireman Community resident Linda Osgood is the latest recipient of our Power a Dream program, which funds long-held or deeply meaningful dreams of the older adults in our care.

Linda’s dream was to soar above the city she loves — and that’s exactly what she did!

With her son-in-law, Ricardo, by her side, Linda boarded a helicopter with Helicopter Tour Boston at Norwood Airport for a breathtaking aerial tour of Boston.

“It was a beautiful day. The weather turned out perfect,” Linda said. “My son-in-law and I enjoyed it so much. We saw all of Boston, and it was fun trying to figure out what each building was. I can’t thank you enough.”

She joked afterward that she’s now fully qualified to deliver the weather report!

Through Power a Dream, family members and staff can nominate residents of Hebrew SeniorLife's supportive living communities — Center Communities of Brookline, Simon C. Fireman Community in Randolph, Jack Satter House in Revere, and Leyland Community in Dorchester — to receive the dream of a lifetime. It can be anything of personal significance: ballroom dancing lessons, a motorcycle ride, a New England Patriots game, or a trip to visit beloved family. For the recipients, it's a spirit-lifting, hope-giving experience — a reminder that life continues to hold excitement and possibility.

Power a Dream is funded entirely through the generosity of our donors. To help make an older adult’s dream come true, donate at https://bit.ly/3hx3Kei

12/11/2025

Hebrew SeniorLife recently celebrated its 59th Annual Service Awards, honoring colleagues marking career milestones in increments of five years. Nearly 300 staff members, who had collectively worked almost 4,000 years at HSL, were honored.

Marking his first service awards as president and CEO, Adam Scott said he was inspired not only by the years of service being celebrated but also by the impact each employee has had on the HSL community. “Whether you work directly with patients and residents, conduct research, or support others in administrative or operational roles, what you do every day matters.”

12/10/2025

A new study from researchers at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, published in Nutrients, offers important insights into how diet affects healthy aging.

Analyzing more than a decade of data from 2,500+ adults in the Framingham Offspring Cohort, the study found:

🧠 While eating more ultra-processed foods was not associated with developing frailty…
🏃‍♂️ Each additional daily serving was linked to small but meaningful declines in physical function — including slower walking speed in men and women.
💪 Among men, higher intake was also associated with weaker grip strength over time.

“These findings suggest that while ultra-processed food consumption may not directly raise the risk of frailty, it could still contribute to subtle declines in mobility and strength over time,” said study co-author Shivani Sahni, PhD, director of the Nutrition Program at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

The research underscores the importance of choosing whole, nutrient-dense foods to support long-term physical function and healthy aging. It was supported, in part, with federal funding — a powerful reminder that public investment in research is essential to advancing our understanding of healthy aging.

📄 Learn more ➡️

Framingham Heart Study finds UPF consumption associated with slower gait in older adults, weaker grip strength in men.

12/09/2025

🧘‍♀️ Meditation isn’t just an ancient practice — it’s a powerful, science-backed tool that can support healthy aging.

Our latest blog explores how different forms of meditation can help older adults improve focus, reduce stress, manage pain, and even support brain health. Research from experts at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research highlights how meditation may enhance cognitive reserve, helping the brain adapt and stay resilient as we age.

You’ll also hear from Orchard Cove resident and lifelong meditator Sheila Wolfson, who shares why meditation has been such a meaningful part of her life — and why it’s a wonderful fit for older adults.

🌿 Inside the blog:

✅ The different types of meditation and how they work
✅ What current research tells us about meditation and the brain
✅ A simple step-by-step guide to get started
✅ How consistency can help cultivate calm, connection, and well-being

Whether you're a beginner or returning to the practice, meditation can be a powerful addition to your wellness routine.

Read more 👉🏾 https://bit.ly/3KGdOw5

12/08/2025

Residents and staff at Jack Satter House recently celebrated their annual interfaith Thanksgiving service. The community was joined by Peace Island Institute at the Turkish Cultural Center Executive Director Benjamin Aysan; Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe; Pastor Tim Bogertman, from the First Congregational Church in Revere; State Representative Jeff Turko; and City Councillor Ira Novoselsky.

All of the local leaders spoke at the event, with central themes including the power of coming together and recognizing the humanity in people, regardless of their faith, ethnicity, or place of origin. Rabbi Lior Nevo spoke about Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's idea of “Radical Amazement,” and invited all attendees to “try to recognize wonder not only in grand or dramatic moments, but in the small, everyday miracle – the sound of the waves, the laughter of a neighbor, or the familiar greeting of someone who knows your name. Thanksgiving is an invitation to pause and notice these blessings that often go unspoken.”

12/05/2025

Check out NBC10 Boston's segment featuring Jack Satter House residents who are living proof that life just keeps getting better! Reporter Sue O'Connell visited Jack Satter House to highlight the launch of the Forever Young 2026 calendar.

From hula hooping to motorcycles to dancing in the rain, this year's calendar showcases 12 themed months celebrating the vibrant spirit of our amazing residents. Following last year's Spectacular Seniors calendar—which caught The Kelly Clarkson Show's attention—the 2026 calendar proves that aging is about beauty, joy, and endless possibilities.

As one participant put it: "There’s so much you can get upset about. When life gives you lemons, blow bubbles!”

The Forever Young 2026 calendar costs $15, and proceeds support the Jack Satter Tenants Association, which funds continued education, social events, and community-building activities. Order yours before they're gone: https://bit.ly/3YNEwur

Watch here https://bit.ly/48g2uDX

12/04/2025

🌿 At Hebrew SeniorLife, we know that living well is about more than managing a medical condition — it’s about supporting the whole person. Our latest blog highlights how our Whole Picture Health Coaching program helps older adults build sustainable habits that strengthen recovery, boost well-being, and support long-term health.

Led by Catherine Stone, PT, DPT, GCS, the program combines physical therapy expertise with practical coaching to help participants focus on key areas like movement, nutrition, sleep, stress, and social connection. Whether through one-on-one sessions, group coaching, or community workshops, the goal is simple: empower people to make meaningful, achievable changes that support healthy aging.

Learn more ➡️https://bit.ly/49S1qHt

12/03/2025

Giving Tuesday might be over, but you still have one day left to join our incredible community of supporters. One of our generous trustees offered a triple match on gifts donated during our Giving Tuesday campaign, up to $16,000. It’s not too late to take advantage of this match and help older people with a donation today!

Your support will help us continue to provide exceptional care and services for our residents, patients, and their families, like Martha*, whose spouse was cared for at the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health:

“I was incredibly lucky to have found this facility where each professional is thoughtful, empathic, humanistic, and has a breadth of knowledge about dementias and the disease process. The ongoing support that is received enables the family to face harsh realities and make hard decisions. Each member of the team sees you as an individual, and you feel valued, held, understood, safe, and hopeful. That in itself is an incredible gift.”

With your donation, you can make sure that Martha and others like her have a place to go when they’re feeling alone and confused because of a dementia diagnosis. While Giving Tuesday may be over, you can still show your support by making a gift today: https://bit.ly/4i9HaTz



*Name changed to protect patient privacy.

12/02/2025

Today is the day! Every dollar donated to Hebrew SeniorLife this Giving Tuesday will be TRIPLE MATCHED! In this season of giving thanks, we are extra thankful for a generous trustee who will match your Giving Tuesday donations 3 to 1, up to $16,000.

Your gift today will help us provide vital programs and services for our patients and residents. Here's one story for our Right Care, Right Place, Right Time program, which embeds wellness teams in affordable housing communities:

A new resident moved into Center Communities of Brookline earlier this year, after her husband passed away from dementia. She was so excited to engage with her new community and attend activities, but her mobility was limited due to a neurological disorder. Nurse care manager Delaney Roberson set her up with in-home physical and occupational therapy, helping her gain the strength and confidence she needed to leave her apartment independently. She now frequently attends events in the building and is thrilled to be part of the community.

This seemingly simple act has made a world of difference for the resident. You can do the same by donating today.

Your support on this Giving Tuesday can help us reach even more older adults. Give now for triple the impact: https://bit.ly/4i9HaTz

12/01/2025

Giving Tuesday may be tomorrow, but you can get a head start by giving today!

Thanks to a generous trustee, your gift this Giving Tuesday will be matched three times. This means that for every $1 you give, this anonymous trustee will donate an additional $3, up to $16,000! That’s triple the impact for people like Steve, a Center Communities of Brookline resident:

“The services and everything given to us here from Hebrew SeniorLife are simply beyond measure. The love and caring from all the lovely staff here turn this place into the warmest and safest home you could imagine. To say thank you sounds so feeble relative to what I’m thanking you for.”

Thanks to this matching gift program, your $50 gift will result in $200 for Hebrew SeniorLife and the older adults who count on our services. We know this time of year can be very busy. Check an item off your to-do list by making your Giving Tuesday gift early. With our triple match, every dollar means an additional three times the impact!

Give now: https://bit.ly/4i9HaTz

11/28/2025

🪶 Today is Native American Heritage Day.

At Hebrew SeniorLife, we honor the rich histories, cultures, and enduring contributions of Native peoples across the United States — including the Massachusett, Wampanoag, and Nipmuc nations whose ancestral homelands surround our campuses.

This day invites us to reflect on the resilience, knowledge, and traditions that continue to shape our communities, and to recommit to learning, listening, and supporting the well-being of Native older adults and families.

We encourage all members of our community to explore the work of Native authors, artists, and educators, and to engage with local Indigenous organizations that strengthen cultural preservation and promote justice.

🌿 Today and every day, we honor Native heritage and celebrate the voices that continue to lead the way forward.

11/27/2025

🍁 This Thanksgiving, we're grateful for the incredible communities that make Hebrew SeniorLife a place where older adults can thrive with dignity, purpose, and joy.

We're thankful for:

🧡 The patients and residents across all of our communities who inspire us daily with their stories, wisdom, and resilience.
🧡 Our dedicated staff who bring compassion and expertise to their work every single day.
🧡 The families who entrust us with the care of their loved ones.
🧡 Our researchers and scientists who are advancing our understanding of healthy aging.
🧡 The volunteers and community partners who enrich our programming and connect generations.

🍁 From all of us at Hebrew SeniorLife, we wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving filled with warmth, connection, and gratitude.