Friends: Building solid relationships and finding the support you need, physically or emotionally, keeps stress low, builds brain resilience and is easy to do at Duncaster. Here, neighbors look out for each other. Friends are around every corner waiting to say hello or have lunch. And over 40 different volunteer groups and clubs let you further explore your interests with like-minded people.

Food: Healthy eating is vital to a healthy brain. Duncaster’s Registered Dietician-Nutritionist Tessa Mah helps ensure residents enjoy healthy, balanced, nutritious meals every day. Our Chef’s menu changes regularly with daily specials featuring made-from-scratch soups and inventive salads. Gluten-free and vegan options are always available too.

Fitness: Research has shown exercise leads to brain gain and prevents neurodegeneration. Boosting your brain power is easy in our state-of-the-art Aquatic & Fitness Center. Treadmills, ellipticals and strength-trainers are all here next to the indoor heated lap pool. And if you’re looking to socialize while your working out—which will give your brain a double boost—you can take a yoga, tai chi or aquatic aerobics class. When the weather’s nice, you can take advantage of the extensive walking trails right on our campus.

Learning: Nurturing a skill or developing a new one keeps your brain healthy as it continues to strengthen and create neural connections. Being just minutes from the University of Hartford and the University of Saint Joseph allows Duncaster to offer unique lifelong learning opportunities not found elsewhere. Residents can attend lectures or join study groups, and on-campus programs include performances from The Hartford Symphony Orchestra and eye-opening discussions with intriguing speakers.

Volunteer: Boost your mood and better your health while you help make a difference for others. Duncaster offers a variety of ways to volunteer either on campus or with groups within the greater community. From raising funds to support relief efforts in Ukraine to collecting toys for in-need kids during the holidays, residents at Duncaster know getting involved is a good—and healthy—thing!

Creativity: Creativity can lower stress levels and activate the reward center of your brain and it’s an important part of the Duncaster culture. Residents have access to both an art studio and wood working shop right on campus and various art classes are scheduled regularly. The Art Gallery is fully resident run and is proud to display the work of both residents and artists from the greater community.