Connections Corner

Preparing for the 2022 Hurricane Season

BY MICHAEL MUSSER, DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SECURITY

During 2022 Resident Hurricane Seminar in The Village Church, Shell Point’s Hurricane Management Team shared up-to-date information and important details about the resident sheltering plan for the upcoming season.

Fortunately, if a hurricane threatens our community, Shell Point residents have the benefit of onsite safety through two hurricane shelters located on The Island and in the Larsen Health Center. While the hope is that the shelters will not be needed, it is still important to be prepared.

“The purpose of our hurricane plan is to put us in the very best position to prepare, manage and recover from a storm, which includes caring for your well-being in each of these phases,” said Adam Hinds, VP of Operations.

Adam said that as we did last year, Shell Point is instituting a broader shelterin-place philosophy and will endeavor to move only those residents who absolutely must be relocated for their safety, based upon storm predictions. In the event that Lee County orders a mandatory evacuation, all residents must comply with the county’s order and vacate their independent living apartment and either leave the property or enter Shell Point’s hurricane shelters. Adam added, “While we certainly do not want to experience a hurricane, our plan is ready to go and gives us an excellent opportunity for success in preparing for a storm, managing an evacuation if needed, and with our post-storm recovery efforts.” If an evacuation is ordered, skilled nursing residents will shelter

Roger Triftshauser (Enclave), Jim Stapleton (Harbor Court), and Eleanor and Garth Harding (Harbor Court) Michael Musser and Dave Roberts

Jerry McQueeney and Tami Apland with hurricane supplies from Gavin's Ace Hardware.

Preparing for a Hurricane for Someone with Memory Impairment

BY EMILY REESE, CONNECTIONS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

As everyone dutifully prepares for hurricane season by reading the 2022 Hurricane Preparation Guide, packing their blue bags, and finalizing evacuation plans, there are a few special considerations for the caregiver of someone with memory impairment.

1

Exude calmness. Be conscious of facial expression, tone of voice, and body language. Persons with memory impairment are sensitive to nonverbal communication. If the person senses others around them are upset or anxious, they likely will become upset or anxious, as well.

2

Minimize viewing of TV coverage of an approaching storm. Also, minimize conversation of the approaching storm. Both of these can increase the anxiety of the caregiver and their loved one.

in place at the Larsen Health Center in the Waterside neighborhood. Assisted living residents and medically-qualified independent living residents who have received a Shelter Determination Letter from the Healthy Living Coordination team will also be relocated to the Larsen Health Center. Independent living residents will shelter at the Shell Point parking garage located on The Island.

Christy Skinner, VP of Healthcare, encouraged residents who have experienced an unexpected medical event or change in circumstances since completing the Resident Disaster Preparedness Survey to reach out to their Healthy Living Coordinator at (239) 454-2299.

“We want to offer you peace of mind if you choose to shelter here, that you know you will be well taken care of in the environment you are in,” said Christy.

She also reminded independent living residents to bring a two-week supply of their standing prescriptions with them to the shelter, and she shared that pharmacies will lift medication refill restrictions in the event of a state of emergency.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at ShellPointSafety@ shellpoint.org. Let’s stay safe this hurricane season!

Prepare for Success

Shell Point’s 2022 Hurricane Preparation Guide, which was delivered to every resident, provides guidance of Shell Point’s hurricane plan, emergency numbers, resident evacuation responsibilities, a list of hurricane shelter kit supplies, volunteer opportunities, and pet planning options and procedures. You can access a printable version on ShellPoint.net/Info. Additional copies are available upon request at the Concierge Desks.

Larsen Health Center in Waterside will shelter healthcare residents, if evacuation is required.

Stay In the Know

The Shell Point Hurricane Management Team will share up-to-date communications on the Resident Information Hotline at (239) 339-2541 (toll-free 1-866-5516013) and on Shell Point TV Channel 8/11. ShellPoint.net/Info also offers a comprehensive Hurricane Preparedness section that includes: • Frequently Asked Questions • Shell Point Community Updates • Active Storm Updates • Contact Info and Relevant Links If you were not able to attend the seminar or want to review the presentation once again, a recording of the 2022 Hurricane Seminar is also available.

Planning for Pets

During the Pet Owner Hurricane Seminar that followed the resident seminar, Laura Slack, Director of Resident Operations, who oversees the Pet Shelter with Salon Manager Robyn Church, demonstrated some of the equipment sheltering Shell Point pets will enjoy, including new kennels, bedding and bowls. Pets need two registrations: one for Shell Point and another for the Pet Shelter. Remember to label items with your pet’s name! To register a pet, please contact Katy Quinones at (239) 454-2101 or katyquinones@shellpoint.org.

What to Bring to the Pet Shelter

• Leash, collar with rabies tag • Toys • Food in individual portioned baggies • Kennel tag

Laura Slack, Director of Resident Operations, oversees the pet shelter.

Be sure to pack comfort items and simple activities for the person with memory impairment. Photo albums and scrapbooks can be a good distraction when sheltering. Earphones playing calming music can help block noise in a crowded area that may increase agitation of the memory impaired person. Sing some favorite songs together. A favorite throw can provide comfort. A favorite snack can also be a good distraction. Smile often. A hand massage with a nicely scented hand cream can be calming, as well.

3 4 If taking shelter off campus, recognize that your loved one may have increased confusion and anxiety in a new environment, which can increase the risk of a wandering episode. Have the memory impaired person carry some type of ID tucked in pocket or wallet, or wear an ID bracelet. Take a picture each day of your loved one with a cell phone. If sheltering, look for opportunities to expend some energy

5

and get some physical exercise. Walk with your loved one when possible. There are many simple stretching exercises that can be done sitting in a chair, moving arms and legs.

Earth Day at Shell Point

Residents Enjoy Educational Fair and EV Show

Representatives from Tesla of Naples with an informative presentation about Tesla electric automobiles. Residents and visitors learned about what makes Tesla unique.

Shell Point residents celebrated Earth Day in a big way with an Electronic Vehicle show and educational fair with Shell Point volunteers and representatives from Sanibel Sea School, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Keep Lee County Beautiful, and other Southwest Florida environmental groups. Later, Andrew DeCostole of Tesla’s Naples showroom discussed Tesla’s history and vision at an Academy of Lifelong Learning presentation in Connie Brown Hall at Tribby Arts Center.

Manuel Aparicio, Board Member and Ranger with Calusa Waterkeeper, demonstrates a device that identifies the impurities in water that are being released into the air. Russ Ringland, Executive Director of Future Forestry Corp. Jon High, Shell Point’s Resident Programming Manager and Trish Fancher, Executive Director of Keep Lee County Beautiful.

Bill Daly (Cellana) with volunteers Carl and Sandy Greenbaum from J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Shannon Stainken, Youth Education Director of the SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) Education & Outreach Director Rachel Taylor with Mina the Owl and CROW volunteer.

A Tesla electric automobile Residents Judy Owen (Sand Dollar), Jim Goodale (Royal Bonnet), and Carol Strange (Periwinkle) are dedicated volunteers of the Green Team at Shell Point.

Judy Burget (Lucina), volunteer at SWFL Reset Center. Lisa Badolato Co-owner of Pedego Electric Bikes discusses the features of an electric bike with Ed Gore (Cellana). Tammy Renkoski, Co-leader of Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Volunteer Mary Tracy Sigman.