'Such a good thing': Health officials in Wayne open hub for senior services

Philip DeVencentis, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read

WAYNE — A new initiative has residents practicing an ancient form of martial arts, sitting in on an Alzheimer’s support group and tapping their inner creativity in a poetry class.

And it is all happening under one roof.

The Wayne for All Ages Resource Center offers those programs and many more free services for senior citizens, but Rosemary Acampora is extending the invitation to everyone.

Wayne, NJ — October 11, 2023 — Pyschomotor Movement Therapist, Nina Reisman instructs Wayne residents participating in a Qigong class at the Wayne for All Ages Resource Center.
Wayne, NJ — October 11, 2023 — Pyschomotor Movement Therapist, Nina Reisman instructs Wayne residents participating in a Qigong class at the Wayne for All Ages Resource Center.

Acampora, the director of senior and social services, said her office started to plan for the initiative in March 2020 when hundreds of residents, ages 45 and up, were asked to complete an AARP survey about their health needs.

“This is because of that,” Acampora said. “It shows that when people work together, good things can happen — and this is such a good thing.”

The resource center is in the clubhouse at Capt. Michael Kilroy Memorial Park at 6 Concord Place. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

After results of the survey were compiled, a task force was formed to continue planning for the resource center and to create an online directory of churches, food pantries, hospitals, paratransit services and pharmacies.

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Acampora said the resource center is partly funded by a $21,400 grant from the Community Advisory Board of Chilton Medical Center in Pequannock Township.

This month’s opening of the resource center was significant, Acampora said, because it marked the first time that the township has ever had such a hub for the elder segment of its population.

Census figures show that 19.5% of township residents are at least 65 years old.

Björg Lema, who lives at Sienna Village of Wayne, is among them. She said she was impressed with the resource center when she visited there on its opening day.

Wayne, NJ — October 11, 2023 — Pyschomotor Movement Therapist, Nina Reisman instructs Wayne residents participating in a Qigong class at the Wayne for All Ages Resource Center.
Wayne, NJ — October 11, 2023 — Pyschomotor Movement Therapist, Nina Reisman instructs Wayne residents participating in a Qigong class at the Wayne for All Ages Resource Center.

“We’re still getting around,” said Lema, 79, “and we need things to do.”

Nina Reisman is a retired professional dancer and psychomotor therapist who instructs a qigong fusion class at the resource center on Wednesdays.

Qigong is a healing exercise that involves controlled breathing and mindful movements. There is a waitlist to secure a spot in the popular class, said Reisman, who also teaches the poetry class on the same day.

“There are different forms of expression that can bring people a lot of peace,” Reisman said. Qigong promotes an “overall balance of harmony,” she added, and it reduces stress.

Upcoming programs

Here is a look ahead to future events at the Wayne for All Ages Resource Center. Registration is required. To sign up, call 973-694-1800, ext. 3281.

  • Long-term care seminar: 10-11 a.m. on Oct. 24.

  • Poetry class: 12:15-1 p.m. on Oct. 25.

  • Blood pressure screening: 10-11 a.m. on Oct. 26.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Wayne NJ: New resource center offers free senior services