Redefining Retirement
Today’s senior living communities offer residents a vibrant atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to be active and social.
In the 15 months since Denise Savarese and her husband Frank moved into Juniper Village at Washington Square, the friends who come to visit always make the same comment upon seeing the senior living community up close for the first time.
“They say, ‘Oh my goodness, this is like being in a hotel or a casino. It’s so beautiful,’” Savarese shares with a laugh.
Savarese heard the same thing before even moving in, from one of Juniper Village’s competitors, no less. She and her two daughters were touring communities in the area, and the Washington Township property was the last on their list.
“The woman overheard us saying that we were coming here next and she said, ‘You’re going to Juniper Village? You won’t be back here,’” Savarese recalls. “That was a nice place too, but this is so much better. It’s not even just that it looks nice, which is definitely a motivator. But everybody here is wonderful—you get a ‘hello’ and a smile from everybody, staff and residents.”
Communities like Juniper Village have come a long way in recent decades, whether they focus on senior independence, assisted living, full-time medical supervision, memory care or a combination of those services. The clinical, generally unpleasant facilities of the past have largely been replaced.
“Modern senior living is really about lifestyle, centered on independence, choice and connection,” says Farryn M. Harte, senior manager of community sales and marketing for Acts The Evergreens. “Communities like Acts Retirement-Life Communities, including Acts The Evergreens in Moorestown, are vibrant, wellness-focused environments where older adults can stay active, social and engaged. Increasingly, we’re seeing more people move in earlier so they can enjoy resort-style amenities, meaningful friendships and new experiences while maintaining their independence—fully embracing retirement as a new, fresh chapter.
“As a Life Care community, residents also benefit from predictable long-term care costs and the reassurance that support is available if their health needs change. That peace of mind is invaluable for residents and their families. Ultimately, once people experience daily life here, they realize senior living is about thriving, not slowing down.”
Savarese, who has MS and has been wheelchair-bound for about 20 years, started to think about a senior living community after her husband underwent spine surgery for myelopathy and needed skilled nursing during his recovery. They went searching for a new home with two requirements: It had to be close to their three adult children, who all live in Gloucester County, and it had to be pet friendly so they could bring their dog.
At Juniper Village, the couple has an apartment with a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. They receive regular cleaning and laundry services and enjoy their meals at an on-site restaurant. Their kids can visit whenever they want and don’t have to worry about their parents’ health, since help is always available with just the push of a button.
“If I search my brain for something to complain about,” she says, “I don’t know what it would be.”
Of course, the “resort” experience isn’t meant for everyone. Nurse practitioner Naomi Goldman set out to establish something different when she founded Havenwood Homes at Kresson, a 14-bed community in Cherry Hill that is geared toward folks with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“I think that the setup and the small, close environment that we have is ideal for those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s because of the close proximity of the residents to the staff, and because the home not being too overwhelmingly large really allows for the residents to learn the environment and feel comfortable, and for us to be able to care for them,” she says. “They don’t feel lost; it’s not hotel living like some of the bigger communities. Sometimes it’s hard for residents with dementia, who are already being moved from their home, to go to a place with elevators, multiple rooms and different hallways where everything looks similar. This is very much residential-style, home-like living.”
Goldman believes it is a model that can catch on, particularly for memory care patients.
“I do think it’s the wave of the future,” she says. “I think families looking to place their loved one feel bad about placing their mom in a facility, but once they see something like this, they realize it’s like home, only with the 24/7 care that she needs, along with friends and a small community around her. This is a great in-between.”
Regardless of the size of a community, providing an eclectic mix of programs and activities to suit the many different personalities and hobbies of its residents is a must.
At Acts, the offerings include fitness-related activities like tai chi, cardio drumming and water aerobics, along with poetry and drama clubs, social dancing, and Lunch & Learn events. If something is not available, residents are encouraged to take the lead in starting it.
“We see a clear difference in residents who actively engage in community life,” Harte says. “Those who participate in activities, fitness programs and social opportunities often experience stronger overall well-being—physically, mentally, socially and even spiritually.
“Wellness is central to everything we do, and residents who stay involved tend to feel more connected, less isolated and have a stronger sense of purpose and belonging. There’s also something uniquely energizing about living in a walkable, social environment that feels almost college-like and full of activity, connection and opportunities to thrive.”
At Havenwood, the staff makes it a priority to learn about residents’ hobbies, the food they like and their favorite holidays before they are even admitted. Their daily routines are filled with opportunities to be engaged, and even to venture outside and get some fresh air.
“We do chair yoga, pet therapy, music therapy, painting, bird watching,” Goldman says. “We just did a tea party and flower-arranging event for Valentine’s Day. …We also have Bingo, trivia and movie night, but we try to move away from having them spend hours in front of a TV. The more cognitively stimulated folks are, the more they feel fulfilled and settled, and it delays the progression of their dementia.”
Juniper Village hosts holiday parties, offers yoga and fitness classes, and partners with local organizations to provide live entertainment, productions of Broadway shows, and visits from local artists and breweries. In the theater on campus, Savarese hosts a weekly screening and discussion group about a television program called The Chosen, which depicts the life of Jesus.
In addition to activities, food is a crucial part of the experience for residents of any senior living community. Savarese praises the diverse menu and excellent service at Juniper Village, and Harte says the options at Acts The Evergreens range from casual to upscale. At Havenwood, the kitchen is open to the dining room, so residents can see chefs preparing their meals to order.
Considering all of these amenities, it makes sense that more and more South Jersey residents are seeking out senior living communities.
“Retirement today is being redefined,” Harte says, “and Acts is proud to be at the forefront of this exciting new chapter.”
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 22, Issue 11 (February 2026)
Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 22, Issue 11 (February 2026)
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