FellowshipLIFE & CentraState Announce Definitive Agreement to Transfer Applewood Senior Community to FellowshipLIFE

Basking Ridge, and Freehold N.J. – January 10, 2024 – FellowshipLIFE, a premier not-for-profit aging services provider in New Jersey, and CentraState Healthcare System, a fully accredited, not-for-profit, community-based health system serving the central New Jersey region, today announced an affiliation agreement to transition CentraState’s Applewood senior community into FellowshipLIFE’s robust network of senior living communities, services, and programs. The affiliation of Applewood to FellowshipLIFE is expected to be complete by mid-2024. 

Under this agreement, FellowshipLIFE will fully own and operate Applewood, renaming the community as Applewood Village. The community will maintain strong ties to CentraState as the exclusive preferred provider of comprehensive medical services for all Applewood residents. Applewood team members will continue to be able to coordinate access to CentraState Healthcare System’s primary and specialty healthcare providers, acute-care hospital, and other facilities located less than two miles from the Applewood campus in Freehold, N.J. CentraState will also hold seats on Applewood’s board. 

“As a premier aging services provider, we are always looking for opportunities to better position FellowshipLIFE and its communities, services and programs in N.J.’s competitive marketplace,” said Brian Lawrence, President and CEO of FellowshipLIFE, in a letter to the FellowshipLIFE stakeholders. “Applewood’s prime location in Monmouth County expands the reach and collaboration of our organization across New Jersey. We believe strongly this affiliation with Applewood – a like-minded community with a strong track record of quality services – presents an exceptional opportunity to further FellowshipLIFE’s vision and mission.” 

“We care deeply about the quality of care and services we provide, and we were pleased to help Applewood find a partner like FellowshipLIFE that shares this commitment and our values,” said Thomas Scott, President and CEO of CentraState Healthcare System. “Importantly, this affiliation will not only help Applewood’s continued path of growth, but also allow us to further enhance the depth and quality of CentraState’s acute-care services. We look forward to preserving the strong ties we have with Applewood and its residents, while advancing forward as a trusted acute-care provider in the region.” 

“We are excited to be a part of FellowshipLIFE and to share the FellowshipLIFE vision with our residents and the greater Freehold community,” said Keith Grady, Executive Director of Applewood. “The added value of being part of FellowshipLIFE will foster new opportunities for our residents and beyond.” 

Applewood offers a wide range of newly updated senior living options to suit current and future health and wellness needs. Applewood has 300 independent living residences, 40 assisted living apartments, 60 skilled nursing apartments and 11 specialized memory care apartments set on 44 acres in Monmouth County, New Jersey.  

This announcement marks the fourth such community addition to FellowshipLIFE, with three other New Jersey Life Plan Communities joining together with the organization’s original community, Fellowship Village, over the past two years. As a part of FellowshipLIFE, Applewood will gain access to specialized guidance, knowledge, and resources within the organization, allowing CentraState to focus on advancing its acute-care services.

To learn more about FellowshipLIFE, visit fellowshiplifeinc.org. To learn more about CentraState or Applewood, visit centrastate.com or applewood.com. 

About FellowshipLIFE 

FellowshipLIFE is a not-for-profit organization with a vision to transform the aging experience and empower all those we serve to live their best life. With four exceptional Life Plan Communities in New Jersey offering services that focus on personalized wellness, an active lifestyle, and establishing new and lasting friendships, FellowshipLIFE has a strong reputation for quality and excellence in senior living. Our dedication to older adults spans multiple aspects of aging services, including Independent Living, Supported Living, Home Care, Medical Services and Wellness Programs for those who live in our active older adult communities or reside in surrounding areas throughout New Jersey. 

About CentraState 

CentraState Healthcare System, a partner of Atlantic Health System, is a fully accredited, not-for-profit, community-based health system that provides comprehensive health services in the central New Jersey region. In addition to offering a full range of leading-edge diagnostic and treatment options, CentraState serves as a valuable health partner focused on the latest ways to prevent disease, promote healthy behaviors, and help people of all ages live life well. Based in Freehold, CentraState is comprised of a 284-bed acute-care hospital, a vibrant health and wellness campus, two award-winning senior living communities, a charitable foundation, and four convenient satellite health pavilions. The system also offers a family medicine residency and geriatric fellowship training program in affiliation with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Among its many honors and accreditations, CentraState is one of less than two percent of hospitals nationwide to earn Magnet® designation for nursing excellence four times. To learn more, visit centrastate.com.