Project New Life Celebrates Grand Opening
The Highlands at Pittsford, a senior living community affiliated with the University of Rochester, will celebrate the grand opening of Project New Life, a $4.8 million wellness-focused expansion, at a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at 100 Hahnemann Trail in Pittsford.
The centerpiece of the program is a two-story Health and Wellness Center – the first of its kind in the Rochester area – designed to support the Seven Dimensions of Wellness, a holistic concept developed by Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute, and endorsed by the International Council of Active Aging.
The expansion includes a swimming and therapy pool complete with an underwater treadmill and whirlpool, a fully-appointed fitness center with changing rooms, a health bar offering nutritious refreshments, a salon, and an auditorium. In addition, The Highlands’ main dining room was relocated and expanded, now overlooking a scenic courtyard with water features. Upgrades were also made to Laurelwood, The Highlands’ assisted living community, to enhance its entranceway and common areas.
“When it welcomed its first residents in December 1994, The Highlands at Pittsford raised the bar for retirement living in the Rochester community,” said Lloyd Thiess, executive director of The Highlands. “Now, with the grand opening of this upgrade and the official adoption of a total wellness philosophy for all residents, The Highlands remains at the forefront of retirement living.”
To implement its wellness philosophy, The Highlands appointed Judy Sims, a registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in senior living communities, as its Health and Wellness Center director. Sims is formalizing programs and activities to bring to life the Seven Dimensions of Wellness, which are motional, intellectual, physical, vocational, social, spiritual and environmental. Sims is building upon established efforts such as the UR Always Learning and To Your Health lecture series featuring University of Rochester faculty.
“Wellness and its many aspects have long been a part of the forward-thinking Highlands community,” said Theiss. “Our residents, who were deeply involved in the plans for this project, are already embracing the Seven Dimensions concept and are excited about the new ways our community is supporting them in enjoying life.”
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