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Southgate at Shrewsbury

Retirement community near Shrewsbury and Worcester, MA

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1.800.492.8331

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Realistic New Year’s Resolutions & How To Achieve Them

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The new year is an exciting time to reinvent yourself and your routine. January becomes a fresh slate for everyone to set new goals for the upcoming year.

The best way to make the most out of the new year is to set realistic goals and expectations for yourself that are reasonable, doable, and will improve your life without feeling pressured to achieve more than anyone else. All you can do is be the greatest version of yourself and create healthy habits that are easy to maintain.

Simplify your life:

Starting the year off ‘fresh’ can mean a lot of different things, but one of the most common ways to start the year off strong is by decluttering and ridding your living space of things you no longer have use for. Start by cleaning out your drawers and organizing important documents and throwing out things that have no value or purpose. By doing so, you’ll have more space for new things and feel less cluttered and overwhelmed.

Cleaning out your closet and storage bins is a great and easy way to de-stress and make space for yourself. Donating items you no longer need to charity will make you feel like your items are going to good use, and not simply sitting on a shelf or a hanger being unused. When cleaning out your belongings, ask yourself if you’ve used/worn it in the last six months, and if you plan to use/wear it in the next six months. This should help you decipher what you want and need versus what is taking up space and needs to be given away.

Simplifying your life will give you peace of mind and clarity that allows you to make room for new things in the new year, and is an easy task that can be done in January and then repeated a couple times throughout the year.

Prioritize your health:

A common resolution for people going into the new year is to set new health goals, typically when it comes to their diet and exercise. The problem is that sometimes these goals are too ambitious and are hard to maintain. Simply prioritizing your health and setting small, realistic goals that you can accomplish daily is a good way to set yourself up for lasting positive changes in the new year.

Practicing light to moderate exercise a few times a week is a great way to get started and start a routine that allows you to accomplish your goals. One of the best ways to begin prioritizing your health is to simply walk daily. Southgate’s park and 3-acre campus gives you ample space to walk everyday while chatting with friends. Our health club and spa is another great way to get light to moderate exercise, like swimming or light yoga.

Learn something new:

At Southgate, we offer many amenities such as an arts and crafts studio and woodworking shop. An attainable goal for the new year is to try to learn new things and pick up new hobbies and skills, which is easy to accomplish here at Southgate!

Learning something new can allow you to connect with new people, make new friends, and find talents you didn’t know you had. If you’re interested in painting, crafting, woodworking, or creative writing classes, the new year is the perfect time to dive in and pick up a new skill! And if you don’t enjoy the new thing you tried, you can simply try something else that sparks your interest more! Your options are endless and you’ll become a more well-rounded individual by trying new things and experiences.

 
The new year is a great time to set resolutions and goals, but make sure to pick things that are realistic and attainable. By doing so, you’re setting yourself up for success and will feel more accomplished and fulfilled at the year’s end.

The First Things to Consider When Moving to a Retirement Community

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Choosing the right retirement community for you shouldn’t be a tedious task. Discovering what you value in a living space and picking a community based on that is part of the process in finding your new home.

When looking at a retirement community, it’s important to consider things like location, environment, amenities, and housing options before moving in. You can use the guide below to help guide you during the vetting process.
 

Location

One of your number one priorities when looking for a retirement community should be deciding where you want to live. You should ask yourself: Do I want to be near the city or in a quieter, rural area? What do I want to have close access to?

The location of your retirement home is important for not only you, but for your visitors and family members as well. You may want to live in a space where family is close by, or somewhere with attractions to explore when they come to visit.

Southgate is located just 45 minutes outside of Boston with access to a local library, parks and festivals in Shrewsbury. There are plenty of attractions for local dining, shopping, and entertainment nearby! It also offers easy access to both Worcester and Providence!
 

Tour

Before you decide where you want to live during your retirement, you should tour your options. Touring retirement communities allows you the opportunity to see if you can picture yourself living there, and if it has everything you desire.

When touring, trust your gut and follow your heart. Make sure you’re comfortable in the space and truly want to spend your time there. Ask questions and see as much of the community in person as you can instead of relying on websites and pictures. Seeing the property in person will help you make an informed decision and feel more confident in your choices.

Visit https://southgateatshrewsbury.com/contact/request-more-information/ to schedule a tour at Southgate to see if it’s the right fit for you.
 

Amenities

A retirement home should have everything you’re looking for, including amenities. Retirement is all about relaxing and having things at your convenience, so if you’re looking for a place with in-unit laundry and a full kitchen – that’s exactly what you should have. You deserve all of life’s luxuries, and at Southgate, we have floor plans with those convenient options.

Other amenities to be on the hunt for include a swimming pool, fitness center, libraries, and a cocktail lounge. It’s up to you to decide what you value most in a retirement community, but here at Southgate we’re here to offer all of those convenient features and fun amenities to make your new home as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.
 

Housing Options

Retirement homes should never be one-size-fits-all, as every person has different wants and needs. When choosing a retirement community, it’s important to explore the different housing options they have available.

At Southgate, we offer 14 different floor plans to choose from, as well as an Independent Living and Assisted Living communities. We give you and your family the option of choosing what’s best for you. Having the choice between Independent Living and Assisted Living means that Southgate is available to anyone looking to retire, whether they need extra help or have the desire to live on their own.

Our staff is here to help and support you at all times, and we want you to feel comfortable in whatever space you choose to live in.

 
Choosing a retirement community is no easy task, and there are lots of things to consider before taking the plunge and moving in. At Southgate of Shrewsbury, we put our residents first and want to assist them in finding the right fit for their retirement lifestyle.

Local Attractions to Visit This Fall

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One of the many benefits of choosing Southgate at Shrewsbury as your retirement living home is all of the local attractions just a few miles or even walking distance away. Centrally located between Worcester, Boston and Providence, Southgate is near some of the greatest sights Massachusetts has to offer. These attractions are accessible to seniors and will allow you to explore local history, art, and culture close to your new home.

Attractions That Both Residents and Visitors Can Enjoy!

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum holds plenty of beautiful, timeless artifacts, history, and paintings all in one stunning gallery.

Located in Boston, this museum has something for everyone, and allows new artists to present their work and highlights different exhibitions depending on the season. Beginning this October, three new exhibitions opened up to the public; Metal of Honor: Gold from Simone Martini to Contemporary Art (running through January 16), Titus Kaphar: The Jerome Project (through January 16), and Stacy Lynn Waddell: Home House (through February 7).

In addition to the gallery, the Gardner Museum also features a stunning indoor courtyard garden that makes you feel as if you’ve been transported through time to another place entirely.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is open to the public everyday except Tuesday, with $20 tickets for adults and $18 for seniors. Members of the ISGM can visit the museum anytime during business hours for free.

For more information, visit: https://www.gardnermuseum.org/
 

Broken Creek Vineyard

Lovers of fine wine and outdoor dining will love the hometown feel of Broken Creek Vineyard in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

Family-owned and open to the public, Broken Creek Vineyard allows guests to host events, meet up with friends, and taste affordable homemade wines. The venue is open on Saturdays from noon to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm, the perfect afternoon getaway on a fall weekend.

The vineyard closes for the season on December 4th, so visit while the weather is crisp and the leaves are still falling. For more information on Broken Creek Vineyard, visit: http://www.brokencreekvineyard.com/
 

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is located in Boylston, Massachusetts and just eight miles north of Worcester. The outdoor landscape allows tourists to explore and embrace the beautiful gardens, trails, and exhibitions.

The New England Garden offers plenty of activities for people of all ages to participate in, with the fall and winter months being no exception. Visitors can learn about plants and flowers, do yoga and tai chi in the garden, and participate in holiday crafts. As the temperatures begin to drop, many of the plants are moved to the Orangerie, where visitors can sit and read, relax, and admire the beautiful plants around them.

Starting in November, tickets will go on sale for Botanic Gardens’ Night Lights 2022, a holiday themed experience that everyone can enjoy. The immersive experience includes food, drinks, photo opportunities, and lots of beautiful lights.

To learn more about the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, visit: https://nebg.org/
 

The Natick Collection

If you’re looking to get some holiday shopping done early, the Natick Collection mall in Natick is the perfect place for you.

Not only is Natick a lively shopping center with over 200 stores, but they also have events happening weekly that make it the attraction to visit, especially this time of year. Shopping is family-friendly and even offers curbside pickup for orders placed ahead of time online.

Now through the end of the year, the Natick Collection has an event called, “A Little Piece of Paradise” available in The Vibe. The spa-like setup will allow you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of shoppers around you and relax with coffee or tea and friends in comfortable seating and calm surroundings.

Next door to the Natick Collection is yet another shopping destination in Shopper’s World, with even more shops to choose from.

For more information about The Natick Collection, visit: https://www.natickmall.com/en.html
 

The dropping temperatures can make it difficult to get out and explore, but there are plenty of enticing attractions in the Shrewsbury and surrounding areas that are even harder to pass up. Here at Southgate, we encourage our residents to explore the beauty that Massachusetts has to offer.

The Best Fall Produce & Their Health Benefits

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This time of year is when things begin to change, starting with the weather. As the temperatures outside begin to drop, it’s important to keep your health at the forefront of your mind and focus on feeding your body the rich nutrients it desires.

Luckily, with changing seasons comes new fall produce, allowing us to cook up delicious recipes and eat something different every day. There is a lot to choose from when it comes to produce in the fall, and the health benefits of the in-season fruits and vegetables can do wonders for your mind and your body.

These Fruits & Veggies Are Delicious AND Good For You!

Apples
It may seem like apples are always around, but apple harvest season is actually from August until November. The reason we’re able to get access to this popular fruit is because of cold food storage, but the best time of year to pick apples is in the fall.

Apples are rich with fiber and antioxidants, and are low in sodium, fat, and cholesterol. They’re an all-around healthy snack, which is why it is important to incorporate it into your daily diet during the next few months.

The healthiest kind of apple is the Granny Smith, due to its low sugar content and high amounts of fiber. Apples are great fruits to eat on their own or bake into treats like pie, bread, or even cookies. It’s easy to get your daily dose of fiber through an apple or two.

Pears
Pears are another fruit that we commonly take for granted, despite it being one of the healthiest fruits you can consume. Pear season begins in August and runs through October, and are commonly picked from the west side of the country and New England.

Pears help fight inflammation, good for your gut health and heart health, and are instrumental in protecting against diseases. They’re also a great aid for weight loss because of the high amount of fiber and water inside of them. That combination keeps you feeling full between meals, which can stop you from overeating.

Squash
Squash is a vegetable that is technically in season all year long, but there are so many different types of squash that they each get their own season. Winter squash is a popular fall produce, even though the name for it suggests it shouldn’t be in season until the coldest months of the year.

The most sought after winter squash types are butternut, spaghetti, and buttercup. These vegetables are a good source of vitamins (A, B, and C) and are high in antioxidants, helping your body fight diseases. Squash is also rich in potassium and magnesium, and is filled with water and fiber to keep you hydrated and your gut healthy.

Pumpkin
Once fall begins, pumpkins are everywhere! From being used as Halloween decorations to showing up in bins at the grocery store, pumpkin is popularly used to symbolize the changing of seasons.

Though most people would rather use their pumpkins for carving, there are actually several health benefits to cooking and baking with pumpkin. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, helping to boost your immune system and lowering the risk of certain cancers. Pumpkin is low in calories, making it a good aid for weight loss. Additionally, it can help your heart health, eyesight, and contains low amounts of sugar.

Pumpkin can be baked into nearly any recipe, but the most popular use of pumpkin is in pumpkin pie. Other healthy pumpkin-themed meals and treats include pumpkin vegetable soup, pumpkin oats, and pumpkin bread. Nearly every use of pumpkin is a good one, since the fruit itself is so good for your health and your heart!

Here at Southgate, our living spaces have full kitchens so you can cook up a special fall treat with the best seasonal produce!