Custom Publication for Benchmark Senior Living

Welcome to Benchmark at Hanover Being the Benchmark for Senior Care

The South Shore is more than just a place to me — it’s one of the first places Benchmark started over 25 years ago and is filled with fond memories.

I founded Benchmark in 1997 with the purpose of Transforming Lives Through Human Connection. Our associates are committed to helping our residents connect with the people and passions that make life so special. After building our first community on Cape Cod, we expanded into Plymouth a couple of years later, followed by Quincy.

Although we’re now the largest senior living provider in New England – with 64 communities in seven states – and have earned countless local and national awards, it’s our strong culture of caring and our families’ testaments we receive daily that are my greatest source of pride.

The Benchmark difference starts with our dedicated staff, who we call associates. They are hired for heart, trained for skill and continually show their commitment to pursuing excellence and exceeding expectations. They strive to get to know each and every resident and accomplish our mission of keeping residents connected to the people, places and things that matter most at every stage of their lives.

Our culture is one that is rooted in our core values – Called to Care, Be the Benchmark and Better Together. It’s both the big and little things our associates do everyday through their compassionate care that demonstrate their commitment to us and our residents. By consistently going out of their way to make residents feel extra special, our associates not only provide comfort to our residents but peace of mind to their families.

At Benchmark, we believe that human connection has the power to transform lives, and our communities are designed with that belief. And it is validated again and again in the many stories I hear of those who might have been reticent to leave their homes and move into our communities, but soon after are living an engaged and inspired life.

Our residents choose us because they still have so much more they wish to experience in their lifetime. Our communities open a world to many seniors who might alternatively face isolation and health challenges at home alone.

Building Benchmark at Hanover has truly taken me back to our early beginnings. The warm welcome we’ve received throughout this journey has reminded me why we selected and continue to serve many South Shore communities.

Our Hanover associates are excited to show you how our company culture coupled with our comprehensive services and fine amenities, can provide an outstanding experience for you or a loved one. We are excited to meet more of our neighbors and hope you will stop by to say hello!

Tom Grape Founder, Chairman & CEO, Benchmark Senior Living

Benchmark at Hanover Happenings A Home Away

from Home

Welcome to Benchmark Living Magazine, a publication dedicated to exploring assisted living and providing information about Benchmark at Hanover, our newest assisted living and Mind & Memory Care community.

Inside you will find stories about when it’s time to consider senior living, learn about a local family who have counted on our services for years and what makes our community different.

Benchmark is a leader in the Northeast, with more than 25 years of expertise in senior living, including several established and award-winning communities on the South Shore. We offer outstanding modern amenities and experiences designed to help our residents live their lives to the fullest while giving loved ones peace of mind.

Scheduled to open in late summer, Benchmark at Hanover will usher in a new era of modern and environmentally friendly design and beautiful grounds. But, of course, we are much more than a building. Benchmark’s purpose is to transform lives through human connection, and we cannot wait to expand this mission on the South Shore. We will achieve this through our interactive garden-to-table dining, 24/7 personalized support from associates who are Called to Care and programs focused on our residents’ overall health and vitality.

Whether it’s creating and displaying art in our studio and gallery, socializing on our patio by the fire, taking a class or listening to live music, our residents will enjoy this fantastic setting while being surrounded by friends. We’ll also show off the South Shore through trips to local attractions, opportunities to give back and intergenerational activities.

It is our mission to keep our residents connected to the people, places and things that matter most to them. We can’t wait to connect with you!

Fatima Feliciano

Fatima Feliciano Executive Director Benchmark at Hanover

Benchmark is pleased to bring our unparalleled care, experiences and mission to transform lives through human connection to more South Shore families.

Ideally located on Route 53 (exit 32 off Route 3) amidst the growing Hanover Crossing retail and restaurant destination and near many South Shore towns, Benchmark at Hanover is an environmentally friendly, 3-story community featuring 91,000 square feet of modern, contemporary design.

Benchmark at Hanover features 97 assisted living and Mind & Memory Care apartments in various floor plans ranging from studios to two-bedroom units. All are maintenance-free, with spacious common areas. All apartments will have large, handicap-accessible bathrooms with safety features and kitchenettes (excluding memory care).

Modern Design, Outstanding Amenities, Endless Possibilities

Benchmark at Hanover Features

• Convenient location next door to the YMCA and within walking distance to shopping

• Modern, maintenance-free apartments with housekeeping included

• Many spacious indoor and outdoor common areas in which to relax and have fun

• All-day, restaurant-style dining offering healthy, gourmet meals

• Full activities calendar designed around residents’ interests

• 24/7 personalized, needs-based care

• Wellness amenities like supportive healthcare services and classes

• Local, scheduled transportation for shopping and appointments

• Electric car charging stations for resident and visitor vehicles

Resident Services

Benchmark at Hanover includes many services that make retirement living easy. Our concierge team can assist with appointments and more while our maintenance staff handles the upkeep with weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen service. Local, scheduled transportation is available for shopping and getting to medical appointments. A 24-hour emergency response system is also accessible to residents.

Personalized Care

For those who require additional support, Benchmark at Hanover will provide nursing assistance and 24/7 personalized care with activities of daily living by compassionate caregivers educated in safety, infection control, empathy and relationship-building. Help with daily living activities, such as managing medication, bathing or dressing, will be available. Upon moving in, we assess each resident and create a personalized care plan. These plans help to stay a step ahead of health changes and maximize their independence. Our care plans are created with their needs in mind so they can continue doing some things on their own and maintain feelings of self-sufficiency.

In addition, we will offer residents access to onsite supportive healthcare services to help them age well. Additional services such as physician visits and physical therapy will be available, or they can continue with their choice of outside health providers.

Community Amenities

The community’s ample shared spaces will include an open-format chef kitchen and dining room. Resident-grown vegetables and herbs from our onsite micro-farms will be showcased in three gourmet daily meals, which will be served restaurant-style.

Residents and their loved ones will be able to do what they love in beautiful indoor areas, including a bistro offering casual dining, an art studio and gallery, library with computer stations, private dining room and kitchen for family gatherings and recreation rooms featuring programs throughout the week. Individuals can also cater to their overall wellness with

on-site amenities such as a hair salon, fitness center with specialized equipment and a wellness center for healthcare visits.

Outdoors, a spacious patio and kitchen with fireplace is the perfect spot for social hour and a wide range of activities from cookouts to concerts. There’s a bocce court, container gardens to nurture passions for gardening, walking paths and many other places to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Interest-Oriented Programs

A cornerstone of Benchmark is our award-winning experiences. Our programming associates get to know each resident through interviews and discovery sessions and provide experiences that nurture their passions, connections and enhance their quality of life. Residents can participate in individualized and group engagement programs that address physical wellness, the creative arts, socialization and more. Exercise classes for strength and balance, interest-oriented clubs, live entertainment, trips to local attractions and educational lectures will all be available.

A WELL-Designed Community

Benchmark at Hanover is designed to not only be beautiful and comfortable but will feature a health-first design. Our shared spaces and apartments illustrate inspired design that complies with WELL Building Institute Standards

WELL is rooted in research connecting the places where we spend most of our time with the health and wellness impact on those who spend their time there. With WELL-designed spaces, the quality of air, water and light is improved, helping to connect all who enter, reside in and work in this setting and allow them to perform their best every day.

These design features include:

• An abundance of natural light

• Safety best practices

• Moisture balance to create an optimal thermal environment

• Energy-efficient and green features

• Minimized toxins from building materials

• Our goal is for residents to truly feel good about calling Benchmark at Hanover home. WELL certification will be sought once construction is complete.

The Benchmark Difference

Connecting Through the Arts

WHERE YOUR IMAGINATION IS THE ONLY LIMITATION

Research has proven time and time again that participating in the arts stimulates the mind and supports healthy aging. What better time than retirement to begin or resume lifelong dreams of studying and creating art?

Over the past 25 years, Benchmark has pioneered senior living with one thing in mind: connecting our residents with the people and passions they love most. For some residents, it’s bridge clubs, watching ballgames or enjoying music. For others, there’s that burning desire to pick up a paintbrush or pencil.

At Benchmark at Hanover, our commitment to nurturing creative interests will include collaborating with artists and art groups on the South Shore to offer a wide range of arts education programs.

Our dual art studio and gallery will truly be a destination within our community. In our art studio, residents will enjoy creating sculptures, watercolor and acrylic paintings, charcoal drawings and more.

What’s a piece of art without an audience to admire it? Our gallery will showcase a rotating selection of residents’ works and regular shows, which family members and others will be invited to enjoy.

As our community grows, we look forward to meeting many budding and more established artists and seeing their creations come to life!

Over 25 Years

SETTING THE STANDARD IN MASSACHUSETTS

In business, a benchmark measures business performance against other companies considered the best in their industry.

When Tom Grape founded Benchmark Senior Living in 1997 in Wellesley, Mass., that’s exactly what he intended to do — set the standard or Be the Benchmark by which all other senior living providers should be measured. Despite the company’s significant growth, it remains committed to Grape’s original vision to set the industry standard.

And his pursuit for excellence in senior living has never been limited to Benchmark. Grape works tirelessly to ensure that regulatory standards and government guidance are in place for the benefit of all seniors and assisted living in Massachusetts. In 1993, he worked with the then Secretary of Health and Human Services and now Governor, Charlie Baker, to help to write the legislation for assisted living in Massachusetts. This was followed by the co-founding of several industry associations, including the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA) and Argentum, the national assisted living association.

Supporting Our Team

Benchmark was one of the first assisted living companies to establish programs and educational advancement opportunities for our associates so they could grow professionally and find career pathways within the company. It is proud of its Benchmark University, which provides personal and professional classes and training to all associates.

Benchmark is also committed to associates’ physical and emotional wellness and creating an inclusive work environment where everyone’s voice is heard.

For many of these reasons, Benchmark has become an employer of choice throughout the Northeast and is proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute to have earned a place on FORTUNE’s 50 Best Workplaces in Aging Services. Additionally, the company has received the Boston Globe Top Places to Work honor for all 14 years the awards have been given.

As is often said, with wisdom comes great responsibility. We are proud to have over 25 years of knowledge and local experience caring for seniors, and it’s a responsibility that both the leadership of Benchmark and our Benchmark at Hanover associates take seriously. We look forward to serving you and your family for many years to come!

Endless Opportunities to Stay Social

MAKING CONNECTIONS AT BENCHMARK AT HANOVER

With older adults becoming less social and more likely to live alone as they age, it’s no wonder feelings of loneliness peak between one’s mid-50s and late-80s. As seniors feel less connected, they can develop social isolation, a condition in which one lacks meaningful relationships or engagement with others. Social isolation can be detrimental to health and well-being. A 2015 study found loneliness and isolation may increase the risk of early death, while research from the American Psychological Association has indicated loneliness can be as damaging to one’s health as obesity.

Just as a well-balanced diet and exercise are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so too is staying connected as we age. Researchers note that social engagement is among the most important factors to helping seniors remain connected and healthy. Data suggests that communities like Benchmark at Hanover can improve quality of life by creating a socially rich environment that encourages participation and family involvement. Benchmark Senior Living communities are at the forefront of working to prevent social isolation with programs like Something in Common, which is designed to provide countless opportunities to develop relationships with neighbors and pursue passions. Upon moving in, associates conduct resident interviews and discovery sessions to get to know them. The information connects and deepens relationships with residents and associates who share the same interests or experiences. In addition, Something in Common helps to develop particular programs, connect residents to specific group or individual offerings and the Dream Now program makes bucket-list wishes come true. No resident goal or desire is too small or large for the Benchmark Dream Now program, which identifies and focuses on making residents’ wishes a reality.

At Benchmark at Hanover, residents will have ample opportunities to connect with others through a full calendar of educational experiences, trips to favorite and new destinations, volunteer opportunities, health and wellness experiences, interest-oriented clubs and more.

For instance, Benchmark at Hanover’s sister community, Plymouth Crossings, has a resident performance group. Together with associates, the group spends months rehearsing, creating costumes and procuring props for bi-annual plays like Who Shot Calhoun Cahootz. The plays are performed in front of an audience of family, friends and others, and have become a community highlight.

No matter how seniors choose to engage, Benchmark associates get to know each resident and encourage participation in many ways to ensure they take full advantage of everything we have to offer.

At Benchmark at Hanover, we believe it’s our unique stories and experiences that tie us together. We’re looking forward to connecting with you and getting to know your story!

enchmark at Hanover executive director Fatima

Feliciano had a career in residential property management for more than a decade.

It was a profession in which she excelled, but she felt something was missing. Then, she discovered assisted living and Benchmark’s caring culture.

“Today, I’m responsible for much more than managing buildings. It’s about creating a vibrant community and contributing to an inclusive culture centered on helping seniors live their lives to the fullest. I’m proud and privileged to carry out this mission,” said Feliciano.

Feliciano started as the executive director of Benchmark Senior Living at Plymouth Crossings, where she oversaw community operations for more than three years. While she adored Plymouth Crossings, she could not turn down the opportunity to lead and develop a new community. She is enjoying meeting prospective residents and looks forward to when their smiling faces occupy the community.

“For me, connecting with my residents is absolutely the best part of my day,” she said. “I enjoy learning from their wisdom, hearing their stories and understanding their rich lives. But, most of all, I love listening to how much they’ve enjoyed their day because of the experiences we make possible.”

Feliciano has a passion for older people that was inspired by her loved ones. She comes from a large extended family and has two children of her own. Now a certified director of assisted living through the national assisted living association, Argentum, she is always amazed at how she and her colleagues can make a difference in someone’s life.

“One resident is always saying I saved her life. That’s an amazing feeling, knowing you have positively impacted someone’s life in such a significant way,” she said. In her free time, Feliciano enjoys karaoke and dancing. Some of her interests spill over to work. While at Plymouth Crossings, she’s participated in numerous celebrations and activities to entertain and help residents feel at home. She has the same passion for her team of associates, and she takes the roles of leader, mentor and friend seriously.

“It takes a special person to work in senior living. It’s my duty to support my dedicated associates and ensure they feel appreciated,” she explained. “Our Hanover team truly loves getting to know our residents and designing personalized services and experiences so they can make the most of their retirement years,” she said.

Get to Know Us

FATIMA FELICIANO LEADS WITH EMPATHY

Demystifying Dementia

Secure & Specialized Setting

Benchmark at Hanover’s large and contemporary neighborhood setting is one in which residents have ample common spaces to explore. An outdoor courtyard with therapeutic features like a soothing water fountain and raised garden beds and inviting living, recreation and dining areas are reminiscent of a grand home. Circadian rhythm lighting automatically adjusts throughout the day to help improve physical, mental and behavioral health.

Research-Based Programs

STAYING CONNECTED

What to Know and We’re Here to Help

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, family members are often confused about what steps to take, concerned about making the best choices and fearful about what lies ahead.

Although the most common symptoms of dementia are memory loss, fuzzy thinking and an inability to control one’s emotions, there are many different types, and it affects each person differently. The most common issues caregivers face include preventing their loved ones from wandering outside their home, ensuring they receive the proper nutrition, keeping them connected and engaged in meaningful activities and providing the support they need.

Benchmark’s Mind & Memory Care has been leading the care of those with memory loss for over 25 years. We address the challenges of dementia while facilitating strong connections that instill a sense of belonging and purpose. We do this by creating comfortable, secure neighborhoods as well as providing individualized, round-the-clock care and specialized programs overseen by skilled associates trained to provide optimal experiences.

The following are just some of the many ways we will support families and loved ones living with dementia.

Residents and their families also benefit from programs created around their interests and skills. Art, music and horticultural therapy, as well as intergenerational programs with local schools, fitness classes, reminiscence programs and other brain-boosting activities address cognition and short- and long-term memory.

24/7 Care

As dementia progresses, it is common to need help with daily living activities. Our nursing and resident care team create personalized care plans for each resident and provide 24/7 care for our residents to stay a step ahead of health changes. In addition, we also offer advanced support with mechanical lifts and two-person assists, when needed.

Nutritional Support

We also provide a sensory-stimulating environment where socialization and delicious smells from our kitchen help get residents excited for mealtime. Adaptive tableware and colorfully plated healthy, homemade meals served restaurant-style are enjoyable and easy to eat. Support for special diets and additional nutrition services will also be available.

Our team comprises local experts who have helped many families address the challenges and opportunities of dementia. We look forward to working with you to create solutions for your loved ones.

AT BENCHMARK AT HANOVER

A Modern Dining Experience

GARDEN-TO-TABLE FINE DINING WITH FLAIR

Today’s discerning diners want locally sourced foods and, more than ever, relish watching culinary masterpieces come to life. Benchmark at Hanover will give our residents and their families the best of both worlds with an all-day, garden-to-table dining experience.

Our onsite micro-farms supported in partnership with the sustainable hydroponic farming experts at Babylon and seasonal outdoor container gardens will provide a continuous supply of fresh ingredients to our residents’ plates. Our residents will dine with their friends while watching and smelling dishes artfully prepared before them in our indoor open kitchen or outdoor patio. Multi-course meals will be served restaurant-style in our dining room or outdoors according to residents’ tastes.

Residents will also participate in regular horticultural education programs and delight in planting, tending, and harvesting a wide variety of fresh produce and herbs.

Benchmark at Hanover’s talented team of chefs take great pride in showcasing these ingredients as part of our daily seasonal specials and our set menu of resident favorites. Fresh basil and tomatoes are transformed into fresh pesto and other sauces, lettuce and herbs become colorful salads and leafy greens are incorporated into morning quiches and are the ideal accompaniment to heart-healthy salmon.

Guy Hemond, Benchmark’s vice president of culinary and dining, brings classic culinary training and years of nationally recognized luxury hospitality experience to Benchmark’s award-winning culinary program. Hemond has been named Food & Beverage Director of the Year by Hotel Food & Beverage Magazine and received both gold and bronze medals in the International Culinary Olympics.

“There is nothing more nutritious or delicious than eating a fresh tomato, for example, at the peak of ripeness that you’ve grown yourself,” says Hemond.

“It is our desire to continue to nurture residents’ passions for gardening while also bringing them a fine dining experience daily that rivals top restaurants.”

Senior Care 101

With so many senior care options available today, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best for you or your loved one and the right timing to make a transition. Some options focus more on quality of life while others provide varying levels of care. For example, independent living offers no assistance with daily living while skilled nursing facilities provide some of the highest levels of care outside the hospital. Here are some things to consider in your search.

Independent Living

Independent living provides a relaxing environment for those over the age of 55 who don’t need any care and desire a social lifestyle without the hassle of homeownership. Residents have access to a range of amenities and services so they can focus on making connections, engaging in meaningful activities and enjoying their golden years.

Assisted Living

Seniors who need help with daily living activities, such as showering, grooming and managing medication, and other services should consider assisted living. Benchmark at Hanover encourages independence while offering residents greater services and support along with the opportunity for long-term care. Meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation and personalized care plans are included. Residents can participate in enriching social activities, events and other experiences but with the bonus of 24/7 assistance when needed.

Assisted living should be a consideration for families looking for peace of mind in knowing loved ones have the support and companionship they need.

Memory Care

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, memory care can meet their unique needs. Mind & Memory Care programs like Benchmark’s provide specially designed environments with unique features that help those with memory impairment prosper.

They are designed to bring residents a secure environment and have programs that address memory and cognitive skills. For example, Benchmark offers sensory dining experiences to support residents’ nutritional health and activities and design features that inspire reminiscing. Caregivers receive specialized training in understanding what it’s like to live with dementia and the know-how to work with residents’ abilities.

Skilled Nursing

Nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are generally physician-prescribed and suitable for individuals with acute, long-term illnesses needing complex, round-the-clock medical care or recovery from a major health incident. However, many assisted living communities, including Benchmark at Hanover, make it possible for residents to receive skilled nursing services from external providers in the privacy of their apartment.

Home Healthcare

Home healthcare services such as visiting nurses who employ caregivers, nurses, or therapists can be an option for those needing assistance either short or long-term. Services are generally exclusive to physical care and support, leaving many families worrying about things like meals, social engagement and transportation to appointments.

Communities like Benchmark at Hanover have been uniquely designed to offer a range of senior living options and care to help meet individuals where they are. Whatever choice is right for you or a loved one, look for experience and associate satisfaction as quality indicators.

MAKING

Resident Spotlight

A SOUTH SHORE FAMILY SHARES DEEP ROOTS WITH THE BENCHMARK COMMUNITY

For nearly 70 years, South Shore and Cape Cod residents have counted on a local family to get where they need to go. The signs that grace many iconic area businesses can be credited to the artistry of the late Guy Caggiano and the Plymouth Sign Company, which he cofounded in 1955.

Guy and his wife, Vicky, met when they were in their early 20s at a dance hall in Brockton while he was on leave from the Navy. They found themselves slow dancing together at a Paul Jones mixer to the Joe Pioppi Band’s rendition of Sinatra’s Strangers in the Night.

“Even though we were supposed to change partners, we never did,” says Vicky.

After a friend of his said, “you better ask her on a date or I will,” the rest was history.

For 49 years, the couple continued dancing and traveled the world to places like Alaska, Aruba and Italy. Together with his brother, George, Guy built a burgeoning sign business while she took care of their Plymouth home and independently pursued passions for fitness and fashion. “They were madly in love. He really doted on her,” says her niece, Nancy Brown, the daughter of Vicky’s late sister, Doris Roncarati.

In 2001, Guy passed away. Although Vicky missed him terribly, she was committed to reinventing her life as a single woman — keeping busy with an active social life, continuing to travel and maintaining her home with Nancy and George looking after her.

In 2013, Doris developed early-stage dementia, so she moved into Benchmark

Senior Living at Plymouth Crossings for a safer environment and more support. For four years, Vicky, Nancy and the rest of the family became fixtures at Plymouth Crossings — celebrating birthdays and other holidays.

A few years before Doris passed, in 2015, Vicky began experiencing her own health challenges. “Come to find out she had fallen several times, and we weren’t finding out until later,” says Nancy. “We eventually had someone coming in to help her at home, but she wasn’t happy. She was lost not being able to drive and wasn’t keeping up the house like she always did. She just wasn’t herself.”

Together the family decided Vicky would have more independence at Plymouth Crossings, so they moved her into the comfort and familiarity of the same apartment where Doris resided.

“The entire staff took such great care of my mom that we never considered anyplace else,” says Nancy. “They are so kind and go out of their way to accommodate you and make you feel comfortable. The Hanover area will be lucky to have Benchmark as a resource.”

Over the last three years at Plymouth Crossings, Vicky has been able to maintain her independence while returning to her social self. Vicky has made new friends and enjoys social hour, entertainment, and, most of all, the company of the staff. Benchmark at Hanover residents will enjoy the same types of experiences.

“I love the people here. From Joannie who makes my bed just the way I like it and the servers who know my tastes, I love all of them,” says Vicky. She added that Plymouth Crossings’ former Executive Director Fatima Feliciano is “a doll” and helped her get settled in her new home. Fatima is now the executive director of Benchmark at Hanover, which is scheduled to open this summer.

Live Your Best Life

Situated at the heart of the South Shore, Benchmark at Hanover offers proximity to a multitude of local conveniences and community attractions. Whether running errands, grabbing lunch with friends, or soaking up some sunshine by taking a walk at a nearby beach, Benchmark at Hanover residents never have to travel far to seize the day.

Hanover Crossing

An exciting new shopping and dining destination is currently under construction just around the corner from Benchmark at Hanover. Located on the footprint of the former Hanover Mall, Hanover Crossing currently boasts two popular grocery stores: Market Basket, which opened in March, and Trader Joe’s, a longtime anchor store at this location. When completed, Hanover Crossing will feature a host of national, regional, and local retailers, as well as restaurants, entertainment options, and service businesses to cater to the needs and discerning tastes of South Shore customers. Additional anchor stores include: Macy’s; L.L. Bean, DICK’s Sporting Goods, Old Navy, National Amusements Showcase Cinema (with 10 auditoriums, state-of-the-art technology, fully reclining chairs and swivel tables), and Ryan Family Entertainment, among others. The plaza’s open-air design will also offer an abundance of park-like space for visitors to relax and mingle with friends and neighbors.

South Shore YMCA

Staying active can help seniors feel physically and mentally healthier and happier. The South Shore YMCA’s Emilson Branch, conveniently located down the street from Benchmark at Hanover, is a state-of-the-art health, wellness and community center that offers numerous programs for seniors. Its spacious fitness facilities include indoor and outdoor pools that offer lap swim as well as water aerobics and active older adult (AOA) group exercise classes. Members can also make use of the sauna, steam room and whirlpool, or beat the summer heat by relaxing at the outdoor aquatics center pools. There are numerous group fitness classes available, such as yoga and tai chi. You can also play tennis or pickleball (the world’s fastest growing sport) or walk around their 1/5mile gravel track. In addition, the South Shore YMCA offers community health workshops and nutrition and exercise programs designed to bridge the gap between clinical care and community care. With clean, bright and safe facilities, flexible pricing, and friendly staff, the Emilson YMCA in Hanover is an amazing local resource.

Local Beaches

Only a 20-minute drive from Benchmark at Hanover, the town of Scituate has many beautiful seaside spots to explore. Peggotty Beach, located a short distance from Scituate Harbor’s quaint shops and restaurants, features 1/2 mile of hard-packed sand and a picturesque vista, complete with houses on stilts. Be sure to pick up a non-resident parking sticker before your visit and come early to make sure you get a spot. Alternatively, you can visit Lighthouse Beach, located beside one of the South Shore’s most iconic landmarks, Scituate Lighthouse. This small sandy beach overlooks the harbor and the breakwater jetty. Parking is free and there are benches for visitors who just want to relax and enjoy the spectacular view.

Local Restaurants

Feel like going out to eat? From fast-casual eateries to acclaimed locally owned restaurants with creative menus and inviting atmospheres, there’s something to suit everyone’s culinary preferences right in the neighborhood. Start your day with a delicious latte and breakfast sandwich at Lucky Finn Cafe. Visit Mother Anna’s Restaurant and Bar for traditional Italian fare, or stop in 3Brothers Bar & Grill for hearty comfort foods like their famous roast beef sandwiches. If you’re looking for a dining experience that is both upscale and welcoming, be sure to check out Alba on 53. House specialties include fresh seafood, prime steaks and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. There’s also an amazing wine list.