MONROE – In 1991, Lori Morell was one of the very first exercise instructors for the Township of Monroe, working out of the high school.
From there, she watched the construction of the Monroe Senior Center on Halsey Reed Road and introduced numerous innovative programs over her 23-year career with the municipality.
Morell, a township resident, has established deep ties, especially in the active adult communities, coordinating numerous health and wellness programs for thousands of Monroe residents over the years.
That is why it is so fitting that Morell will be spending much more time in Monroe, serving as the newly-appointed director of Parker at Monroe’s Adult Day Center. The center is located at 200 Overlook Drive, and is due to open in September.
“Lori’s passion was always centered on the wellness of the senior community,” said Jennifer Sternberg, assistant director of the Monroe Senior Center. “Her desire to pursue bigger and better things, while serving the senior population, was evident in her move to work for Parker.”
“Lori’s commitment to the health and well-being of seniors continued with her facilitation of the Beginners Healthy Bones class held at the Senior Center prior to the pandemic,” Sternberg said. “On behalf of the Office of Senior Services staff and its members, we wish Lori the best of luck in her new position.”
Morell joined Parker in July 2010 and was assigned to Parker at Stonegate Assisted Living Community in Highland Park, where her focus has been running the Health and Wellness Center, as well as doing community outreach.
In her expanded role as a director, Morell will continue overseeing many of Highland Park’s community-based programs, but her focus will be centered on Monroe.
“I love what I do, and I love working with older residents,” Morell said. “With the pandemic, I feel my work is even more important, as people quickly become sedentary when they are encouraged to stay at home. That is why we now have so many virtual classes and outreach, prompting people to keep moving, to eating well, and to keep interacting with one another.”
Morell, who proudly notes she is also an “active adult” living at the Regency at Monroe, said her career continually brings her back to Monroe.
She is quick to list a number of local programs she has coordinated for a number of organizations, such as senior exercise, wellness, personal training, advocacy, and at-home visits for people with disabilities. She also seems to have endless certifications in such areas as wellness, dementia care, and even spin class.
Morell was also proud to work with Rutgers University and the New Jersey Division of Aging Services on a Parker-funded, two-year study regarding strength training and healthy bones for older individuals. Following the 2012-14 study, the results were published in the “American Journal of Geriatrics.”
That work prompted Morell to roll out a Healthy Bones program serving older residents in Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset and Mercer counties. She was working with about 150 program participants each week, while training others to be peer leaders, prior to COVID-19.
Now, the program is virtual.
“One of my key goals in Monroe is to ensure that more people understand that Parker is so much more than assisted living, memory, long-term care or skilled nursing care,” Morell said. “We have many other services at Parker at Monroe, such as a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, virtual exercise programs, the adult day program, rehab at home, plus other care management support for people to age in their own homes.”
With decades of experience in Monroe, and big plans to expand services in her new role at Parker, Morell said she loves the feeling of accomplishment, continually showing elders that they still have a tremendous purpose and impact.
“If I can make people smile, or make their day happier, or help them as a resource, then there is success,” she said. “Parker really has so many resources to support our neighbors in Monroe. That is our goal. That is our mission.”
- This information was provided by Parker at Monroe.
