Brooksby Residents Enjoy a Fresh Focus on Well-Being

"Life here is all about choices!" says Brooksby Village resident Swan Anderson, who has explored the many wellness offerings at the Erickson Senior Living community in Peabody, Mass., since settling into her apartment home. 

When she's not playing cards with friends or participating in interest groups, you'll find her walking the campus' beautiful grounds and engaging in meditative spiritual practices.

Like many of her neighbors, Swan is passionate about caring for her overall health. To support current and future residents in this endeavor, Erickson Senior Living is investing $500 million in upgrades to its communities, focusing on amenities that enhance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. 

"Embracing well-being has long been a pillar of our values," says Resident Life Director Matthew Connery. "We understand how important such initiatives are to residents' quality of life. From awareness and education to programs, so much of our identity as a community is connected to well-being."

Investing in well-being

At Brooksby, a mobile labyrinth was one of the first additions. 

"Just a month after my husband Richard and I moved in, I came across the mobile labyrinth being set up by the Pastoral Ministries team," Swan recalls. "After hearing that I'd been walking labyrinths wherever I could find them, the team asked if I'd like to volunteer. I was all in! I've become the resident labyrinth guide, and I'm loving every moment of it."

She continues, "Thanks to this practice, I have developed a reverence for the mystery of life and discovered that nature--when we observe, listen, feel, and breathe--can provide pathways to what we now think of as wellness."

Brooksby's investment also included new pickleball courts and renovated fitness and aquatic centers that feature additional exercise space and state-of-the-art equipment--allowing residents to enjoy full-scale workouts with no additional fees.

Several other amenities, such as relaxing outdoor meditation areas, event pavilions for social connections, and walking trails, are in the planning or construction phases. 

Surrounded by support

In addition to these amenities, residents are able to reach their health and well-being goals by connecting with knowledgeable team members, including on-site fitness trainers, health care providers, and pastoral ministries resources.

"Residents can address their physical health by working with a trainer, visiting the medical center for guidance, or engaging in reflective exercises with our Pastoral Ministries team," Connery explains. 

The Pastoral Ministries team at Brooksby Village is six strong, with five ministers and one administrative assistant. In collaboration with residents, they offer more than 100 spiritual programs each month.

"We feel that spiritual well-being is integral to a well-rounded life here at Brooksby Village," says Reverend Chad Kidd, Pastoral Ministries manager. "We offer tai chi on Sundays, and we've had success with our Mosey Monday program, when residents are invited to 'mosey' on down to lounges for casual conversation with neighbors and Pastoral Ministries team members. This helps people seeking deeper connections with friends. Folks tell us it's meaningful to come together in this way."

He adds, "We also continue to explore other spiritual well-being offerings, such as guided meditations. Ultimately, we want residents to have lots of tools they can pull out at any given time."

And of course, residents can meet one-on-one with a member of the Pastoral Ministries team when needed.

World of wellness

With hundreds of activities to choose from--like trail walking, the amateur radio group, and local volunteer programs, just to name a few--Brooksby residents have a world of wellness at their fingertips. 

"Like I mentioned before, it's all about choices here at Brooksby. Gratefully, we have many!" says Swan. 

"Brooksby is a steward of health and well-being," adds Connery. "We proudly provide an array of well-being resources, and we strive to maintain an open dialogue with residents each and every day about how they can benefit from them." 

Swan, thankful for the community's dedication to her physical, mental, and spiritual health, finds that the lasting friendships she's made have also positively impacted her overall well-being. 

"Social connections are something Richard and I both need and enjoy. And as a couple, it's great to have friends in common," she explains. "Every time I ride in the elevator and take a walk around campus, I experience the healing energy of Brooksby Village--neighbors and staff members are always smiling back at me. It's wonderful!"

Invest in your future self at Brooksby Village. From top-notch amenities to affordable, maintenance-free apartment homes, you are sure to live your retirement to the fullest. Request more information today!