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 agreement to transition CentraState’s Applewood senior community into FellowshipLIFE’s robust network of senior living communities, services, and programs. The agreement to transfer 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 preferred provider of comprehensive medical services for all Applewood residents. CentraState will have an on-site primary care practice and medical director. Applewood 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 agreement 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 agreement will not only help Applewood’s continued path of growth, but also allow us to further enhance the depth and quality of CentraState’s core clinical services. We look forward to preserving the strong ties we have with Applewood and its residents, while advancing forward as a trusted 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.