A multitude of research shows that the human experience while listening to music can provide much more than just entertainment for us, it provides deeper benefits as well. Studies show that music lights up our brains and influences our autonomic nervous system. It evokes emotions and memories and can even impact our moods. Music, while mainly shared as a form of entertainment, is always on the calendar at both Harvest Hill and The Woodlands.

Harvest Hill’s activities team, long led by Carla Venti, ensures there is music in some form or other on the activities calendar all month long. Social hour pianists, grade school singers, professional musicians, and local music enthusiasts regularly visit to share their craft, while residents gather to sing hymns—the sound of music is ever-present in the community, and open to all. It has also been noted that the locals who come to play and entertain residents also enjoy the experience of having an audience. It is a win-win for everyone.

At The Woodlands, the activities calendar is resident-run, with teams of residents coming together to plan events, programs, and outings. Music is certainly part of those plans. One resident, Ray, takes particular care and satisfaction in choosing highly skilled, often professional performers—his standards are very high, and no one is complaining!

Music is something that can be easily shared. In fact, many of our residents who are in their 80s and 90s will sing together the favorite songs of their younger years, such as You are my Sunshine or I Get a Kick out of You, singing along totally from memory, no lyrics in hand. It’s a joy to see.

The bottom line is that music “plays” a part in the lives of so many of us, often from the time we are born. (Who hasn’t seen a dancing toddler?). We also know that music has a special power in the lives of people who experience cognitive decline, even people with late-stage dementia. The documentary, “Alive Inside,” 2014 winner of the People’s Award at the Sundance Film Festival, looks at how introducing music into the lives of people, many who barely communicate any longer, brings out the deepest of connections in their memory banks and they have varied reactions of delight.

We cannot say enough about the joy of music, at any age and at any time.

Discover how music shapes our community, learn more about life at The Woodlands Independent Living and Harvest Hill Assisted Living by calling us today at 603-308-0475 or by requesting information on our website.

The Woodlands and Harvest Hill are exceptional places to live, just ask anyone who calls our community home. At both locations, our residents foster tightly-connected communities where they enjoy beautiful surroundings, spacious apartments, great food and plenty of amenities and things to do.

Many of our residents live at our community for years. As a result, demand is high, and prospective residents may encounter a waitlist. While that can feel discouraging, the waitlist is also a reflection of the strong reputation our communities have earned for quality and care. When an opportunity to move in becomes available, residents consistently find it was well worth the wait.

Time spent waiting allows you to plan ahead and begin the downsizing process at your own pace. You can take inventory of your belongings, make intentional decisions about what to keep (or not keep), and discuss with family members which items they may want to receive. Starting early often leads to a smoother, less stressful transition when move-in day arrives.

This period is also a good time to get your finances and important documents in order. Many people choose to digitize photos and family records, ensuring they remain accessible without taking up physical space. Planning ahead can significantly reduce pressure when the time comes to move.

While the wait times can vary, being on the list means you are part of the process, which can provide peace of mind. And if your needs change during that time, in-home services can help bridge the gap. Options may include grocery or meal delivery, housecleaning, transportation services, home health support, or participation in local social groups to stay connected and engaged.

At The Woodlands, we typically host open houses for wait-listed individuals twice a year, and invitations are sent directly. Harvest Hill offers a monthly newsletter, while The Woodlands provides quarterly updates. Staying connected ensures you remain engaged with the community as you prepare for your move. If you don’t get those now, be sure to sign up HERE.

They say good things are worth the wait, and at The Woodlands and Harvest Hill, we believe that sentiment rings true.

Planning ahead can make all the difference when considering your next move. Discover whether independent living or assisted living is the right fit for you or a loved one. Learn more about life at The Woodlands Independent Living and Harvest Hill Assisted Living by calling us today at 603-308-0475 or by requesting information on our website.

Choosing the right senior living community is an important decision for older adults and their families. On APD Lifecare’s Upper Valley campus, The Woodlands Independent Living and Harvest Hill Assisted Living communities provide thoughtfully-designed environments to help residents live well, stay active and feel at home.

How do you choose the best fit for yourself or a loved one? Here are some key differences to help you decide which lifestyle fits your needs.

What is Independent Living?

Independent living is designed for older adults who want to enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with access to social opportunities, activities and campus amenities where they can engage as much or as little as they like. Residents live in private apartments, maintain their independence and choose how to spend each day.

At The Woodlands, this means enjoying chef-prepared meals, fitness classes, walking trails, educational programs, social gatherings and convenient services—all without the worry of home maintenance. Residents have full autonomy; with the knowledge that support is nearby if ever needed.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living provides an extra layer of support for seniors who may need some help with daily activities such medication management, bathing, dressing, or mobility. These services are all provided with an emphasis on dignity, independence and choice.

At Harvest Hill Assisted Living, residents receive personalized care from compassionate, trained staff while living in private apartments. Residents enjoy daily activities, nutritious meals and a welcoming community atmosphere. The goal is to support each resident’s unique abilities, promote wellness and ensure safety without compromising autonomy.

Why Choose APD Lifecare?

Whether you’re considering independent living or assisted living, APD Lifecare’s campus offers two communities, both dedicated to comfort, connection and overall well-being. Residents can enjoy the companionship of peers who become their neighbors in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, beautifully-maintained surroundings and convenient access to the broader Dartmouth Health system.

Families gain peace of mind knowing their loved ones are supported by experienced teams who prioritize dignity, independence and an engaging lifestyle tailored to each resident’s needs.

Discover whether independent living or assisted living is the right fit for you or a loved one. Learn more about life at The Woodlands Independent Living and Harvest Hill Assisted Living by calling us today at 603-308-0475 or by requesting information on our website.

Our senior living communities, The Woodlands (independent living) and Harvest Hill (assisted living), are located on the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD) campus in Lebanon, NH. APD is part of Dartmouth Health, which has been recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System through an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States. 

This recognition demonstrates APD’s commitment to continuously improving care for patients age 65 and older by aligning with the nationally recognized practices of Age-Friendly Health Systems, known as the 4Ms; What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility, the foundation of the Age-Friendly Health Systems.

APD’s focus on caring for our elders is further demonstrated by its Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department (GED) accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians. APD was the first critical access hospital in the United States to earn this distinction. 

In addition to serving residents of Harvest Hill and The Woodlands, APD provides care to elder patients across our tight-knit rural communities in both New Hampshire and Vermont.

The Age-Friendly Health System of care and service has been integrated into our daily practices at Harvest Hill Assisted Living, and staff are formally integrating the 4Ms into resident care. This effort helped Harvest Hill achieve Level 1 accreditation with Age-Friendly Health Systems in January 2025.

“We’ve always followed the 4Ms, but now we have a structured framework,” says Nikki Fortier, executive director of APD Lifecare. “We also updated our resident assessment to ask about ‘What Matters’ for each resident. Having this shared language between hospital and assisted living staff leads to better care.”

In addition to all that Harvest Hill and The Woodlands offer in terms of activities, culture and community, we also provide healthcare services designed to support the unique needs of our resident seniors if they need us.

To learn more about the Alice Peck Day Geriatrics services and team, visit our website. This beautiful, 40-acre campus is also home to The Woodlands and Harvest Hill, part of the APD Lifecare community.

There are plenty of articles and studies exploring the “secret” to longevity. Research often points to the importance of diet, genetics and healthy lifestyles, along with social networks and meaningful engagement. Boston University even has an ongoing centenarian study that you can participate in. Articles such as this one from Newsweek and documentaries like Living in the Blue Zone on Netflix highlight similar findings.

We did a little “study” of our own here at APD Lifecare’s campus, home to both Harvest Hill Assisted Living and The Woodlands Independent Living. We spoke with six centenarians, asking each the same three questions. The participants from Harvest Hill were Dorothy (100), Betty (100) and Mary (100), and the participants from The Woodlands were Priscilla (101), Alberta (104) and Betsy (100).    

Each resident graciously shared their perspective on longevity, the changes they’ve witnessed in society, and their favorite moments from our communities.

What factors do you think contributed to your longevity, living to celebrate 100 years?

• “Though I have never stopped learning, I am not a scholar.” – Dorothy
• “Being active and engaged, reading, keeping your mind going, being independent, being one who volunteers and gives of self to community, like being with Eastern Star for 80 years.” – Betty
• “I really couldn’t say.” – Priscilla
• “Luck. Do the right thing. Get involved.” – Alberta
• “Living a fulfilling life.” – Betsy
• “I was always high energy with low worries, well cared for by my husband, Harry. Great sense of playfulness and imagination. Loving life and gratitude for being so blessed.” — Mary

Can you cite one or two changes during your lifetime that have had a positive impact on society?

• “My sister, Nora Clara, died of whooping cough at five months, and the vaccine came in 1940. Equal opportunity. Women allowed to attend college and vote.” – Dorothy
• “Taking over father’s business – being a woman business owner was very rare.” – Betty
• “The invention of cellphones – they are miraculous. Polio vaccines.” – Priscilla
• “Was deeply involved with the League of Women Voters, and I saw our rights evolve.  Vaccines – my cousin was Polio Poster Girl.” – Alberta
• “Tolerance of people of different cultures. This seems to, unfortunately, be regressing in this current society.” – Betsy
• “I was involved politically with the League of Women Voters. The rise of women’s power was very important, as well as modern medicine.” — Mary

Would you share a favorite memory from your time living at Harvest Hill or The Woodlands?

• “With the support of the Harvest Hill staff, I am learning to age gracefully.” – Dorothy
• “My 100^th birthday celebration at Harvest Hill – with my family, even my last sibling from Maine, a sister, Beverly, was there and died unexpectedly a few days later.  That visit was precious.” – Betty
• “My 100^th birthday celebration, they sang happy birthday to me, and I sang I thank you back to my friends.” – Priscilla
• “100^th Birthday party with 100 guests.” – Alberta
• “The deep relationships I have been able to form” – Betsy
• “Showing off grandchildren when they visit. Visiting other residents’ pets and visiting friends. My son, Richard, also brings his dog, Hero, for visits.” – Mary

A Celebration of Life and Community

Living to 100 is a milestone a few reach, and we are honored to have six such remarkable residents among us at APD Lifecare’s Harvest Hill and The Woodlands communities. Their stories are a reminder that longevity isn’t defined by one path but shaped by experiences, connections and resilience.

For those considering a move to a retirement community, our centenarians show that living in a supportive environment with opportunities for social engagement, independence and care can enrich life at every age. Learn more about life at The Woodlands Independent Living and Harvest Hill Assisted Living by calling us today at 603-308-0475 or by requesting information on our website.