Two dancers from Little Silver Ballroom Dancers perform in the new Arms Café space. CUTLINE: COURTESY OF UNITED METHODIST HOMES RED BANK — Residents can get up to date on technology or learn a new skill at a new communal space at the Wesleyan Arms senior complex.
On June 24, United Methodist Homes of New Jersey, which operates the senior community, held a grand opening for the new Arms Cafè, which aims to be the center of activities and learning for the 61 residents who live there.
“I am very pleased to see months of intensive planning and networking come to fruition in a vibrant grand opening,” said UMH Vice President of Housing and Community Initiatives Cindy Jacques.
The Arms Café, a large communal space inside the senior community on Wall Street, aims to be a hub of activity.
“It’s a way for the senior community to come together. [Arms Café] is a place for seniors to live, learn and share with others,” said Mary Patichio, social service coordinator for the senior community.
According to Patichio, the café is also a way for seniors to give back to the community at large.
For example, members of the knitting club made head covers for cancer patients at Monmouth Medical Center.
Another major initiative of the café is to bring seniors up to date on technological advances.
“[Seniors] are kind of far behind and if they don’t stay connected they will get left behind,” said Patichio.
The café has Wi-Fi and senior-friendly computers available to residents, and plans call for adding other devices such as iPads.
There are currently plans in place to teach seniors to use devices they already own.
Activities such as ballroom dancing lessons are also available to members of the community to get them to be more physically active.
The café also encourages seniors to live a healthy lifestyle through programs such as Zumba and yoga as well as by serving healthy refreshments.