originally published: 02/18/2022

(PLAINSBORO, NJ) -- “Kevin Herman, owner of the recently opened Town Square -- a 50’s themed innovative adult day enrichment center in Brick, NJ -- has announced the opening of his second Town Square in NJ in the Princeton area.”

Senior citizens can take a unique nostalgia trip at New Jersey's first Town Square, an inclusive, groundbreaking, 1950-s themed concept center that will enhance and improve the lives of older adults, including those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Town Square, which provides a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment, is scheduled to open in March 2022

The 13,000 square-foot, innovative, interactive midcentury "town" features distinctive storefronts and experiences to, encourage socialization, gathering, and recalling exciting memories among seniors, old friends and new. Town Square includes a 1950s-era diner, golden age movies at the Starlite Theater, a library, an art studio, recreation room, garage with a beautiful vintage car, newsstand, music room all arranged around Glenner Park, the heart of Town Square. The concept uses the 1950s timeframe as research has shown that this is the period when seniors' most significant life events occur, including graduations and weddings. Seniors in their 80s today would have been in their late teens and early twenties in the 1950s.

The Town Square concept encourages and invites members to purposefully participate. This meaningful engagement includes actively contributing ideas, skills, and experiences, recognizing that individual participation will vary depending on abilities. For instance, members are invited to share experiences about their careers, military service, and family life. During craft, cooking, learning, or music activities, reminiscing prompts spark discussion about favorite memories.

Throughout the day, members take part in a wide range of stimulating activities with a focus on enjoying favorite pastimes, harkening back to the good old days with friends, and connecting through stories and activities. This can include shooting pool with friends in the Game Room, arranging flowers, painting, clay crafts, gathering for book club in the library, or playing lawn games in Glenner Park, the centerpiece of Town Square.

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These thoughtfully planned activities evoke a time when members were young adults and are designed to appeal to all seniors. For those living with Alzheimer's or dementia, it can be particularly beneficial. The behavioral approach, known as reminiscence therapy, uses prompts such as movies, music, photographs, games, and other activities to stimulate long-term memories. Reminisce therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and lessen symptoms and side-effects of the disease by helping seniors recall older memories while feeling valued, content and at peace.

"Reminiscence therapy makes Town Square unique and is truly a game-changer not only for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, but for all seniors," Ross said. "By creating this environment, we're aiming to create a sense of shared community that people from all backgrounds can enjoy and benefit from."

Town Square is designed to accommodate approximately 100 members per day, for half- or full-days every day of the week. Memberships are available in addition to one-day on-site sign ups. Leveraging learnings were developed as part of a strategic alliance with the George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers Inc.® Glenner Town Square®, based in Chula Vista, CA. Town Square is able to uniquely cater to the needs of Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

"We started by looking at the Glenner Center's personalized and innovative approach to care and made a number of alterations to tailor the experience to members' specific needs. We’re taking people back to their strongest memories as a form of time travel therapy" noted Scott Tarde C, Chief Executive Officer for Glenner Family Centers. "For instance, one of our storefronts is a health club that will accommodate the physical and occupational therapy needs of our members, and we plan to partner with Silver Sneakers to offer classes there as well. We've also created a state-of-the art-learning center with programs to stimulate members with educational activities. All of the programming at Town Square has been carefully designed to deliver enriching, safe, affordable and accessible care."

Town Square is an innovative ADULT DAY ENRICHMENT CENTER Members enjoy a 1950s-era destination (13,000 sq. ft.) with a diner, movie theater, library, recreation room, garage, vintage car, newsstand, music room, within the setting of an indoor green central park, and more. The center is open to all senior citizens, inclusive of those living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Operating with a mission to improve the quality of life for all members and their families, Town Square delivers safe and affordable care in a one-of-a-kind, interactive environment. Seniors receive quality and compassionate care through Town Square's immersive experiences thoughtfully designed to include activities and experiences based on members' interests, hobbies, and abilities. Town Square is currently pre-enrolling seniors, for information and specials, please contact: Townsquare.net/Princeton 609.375.0751 or email [email protected].