Programs

Current programs include:

• Events - Senior Olympics, The We're Still Here Revue, Valentine's Ball
• Educational - computer/internet training, ESL & language classes, lectures
• Arts/Creativity - creative writing, filmmaking, music, dance, fine arts, crafts, theatre, oral histories
• Health and Wellness - Healthy Eating Program, Step by Step Fitness/Exercise Program, Resident Relief Program (healthy residents helping frail ones)
• Intergenerational - intergenerational gardening, creativity, read-aloud literacy programs and more in partnership with schools local to each property
• Recreational/Lifestyle - Trips, parties, dances and more
• Community Involvement Programs - resident councils, volunteer opportunities, voter services, senior center programs, public/private partnerships
• The Necessities - food bank, free bread, linkages to community resources

Step by Step Program:
MTSFS has a comprehensive array of fitness classes to suit the needs of every kind of senior: aqua fitness, aerobics, strength training, Tai Chi, walking clubs, yoga, chair exercise, free-style dance and more. Seniors can also exercise to our one-hour exercise video hosted by MTSFS fitness guru Bob Fitzgerald. Seniors who exercise at least three times per week for an hour or more receive milestone achievement awards, fitness products and recognition for their efforts at our annual Senior Olympics, providing motivation to engage and keep engaged in exercise and strength training.

Wisdom Council:
What does it take to be a "successful senior?" Who would know better than the oldest seniors at each property? Through the use of reminiscence, photographic essays and discussion groups, the skills gained in these groups are imparted to "younger" seniors.

Food Bank:
How can seniors successfully age if they can't afford to eat? In coordination with local services, MTSFS proudly provides monthly food donations to seniors at each property. Through donations from these food banks, local supermarket chains and others, we provide food to seniors who "fall through the cracks" - those who make too much money to qualify for government programs, but still struggle to eat each month.

Film 101:
Residents are treated to a film screening followed by a panel discussion with experts in writing, direction, editing, production and acting. Most recently, 78-year-old actor Richard Erdman, a veteran of more than 100 films, countless TV shows and a director for The Dick Van Dyke Show, came to the Piedmont screening of the Billy Wilder classic Stalag 17 to discuss his work on that film and working in the studio system.

Healthy Eating/Gardening Program:
MTSFS offers healthy cooking classes as well as, in most locations, gardening programs to help them grow herbs and vegetables to supplement a healthy diet at a lower cost.

Stitches From the Heart:
Take the time-honored traditional sewing circle and combine it with a healthy discussion on issues concerning aging - add a worthy cause such as creating sweaters, caps and booties for low-income, premature babies - and what do you get? A strong sense of purpose and community.

Living History:
This program would provide an environment where residents can learn how to write their memoirs, and connect them with others in their community through voicing their shared experiences of both world and personal events. In this way, seniors can leave a record of their lives to pass on to family and friends as a personal legacy as well as being a document of social historical interest.