Connections Corner

Wellness

Support

Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes. Having a wellness practice can lead to an increased lifespan and an increased healthspan—the number of years that we are living in good health, which we all desire. Said another way, wellness practices can add not just years to our life, but life to our years.

Dr. John Travis is considered one of the fathers of the Wellness Movement. In his Wellness Continuum model, Dr.

Travis illustrates that movement past the neutral point indicates increasing degrees of wellness that everyone can aspire to at any age. Wellness is not about absence of disease, but always a movement towards a high level of wellness.

Take the Illness-Wellness Continuum model into consideration of chronic diseases such as arthritis, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 78% of adults over age 55 have at least one chronic condition. Research supports that a lifestyle approach to chronic diseases not only can significantly reduce incidence of disease, but also reduce disease impact on health and functional abilities. Lifestyle research has also pivoted to focus on reducing dementia risk and indicates that it is never

too early, and it is never too late to start with lifestyle changes.

Living at Shell Point blesses residents with an abundance of healthy lifestyle resources, such as education, exercise classes, emotional support, healthy dining options, and social opportunities. The challenge though for many of us is getting started with a desired change and then maintaining the new health behavior. “I was exercising regularly but then the class time changed and didn’t fit my schedule, or, I enjoy being social and there are always yummy treats at events that I can’t resist.” Sound familiar? If you struggle with healthy lifestyle change or just are not sure how to take the first steps, the Wellness Support Program can help.

Three of our very own Healthy Living Coordinators have been specially trained to provide Wellness Support for residents at Shell Point. Wellness Support Specialists use the principals of health and wellness coaching to partner with residents who desire to move forward toward wellness. Wellness Support Specialists can help a resident develop their best strategies to make their desired change in a relationship of supportive accountability. Wellness support sessions can be delivered via zoom, phone or in person. One to six sessions will be scheduled to meet the individual needs and goals of the resident. There is no fee for this program, and availability is limited as a pilot program. For more information, please contact Emily Reese at connections@shellpoint.org or 454-2134. Please note: Wellness Support is not counseling, and specific dietary, exercise or other health information is not provided.

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Blurred Eyesight and Falls

BY DR. ELIZABETH SCHWARTZ, BOARD-CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIAN, QUIGLEY EYE SPECIALISTS

Falling is one of the greatest health risks older adults face. The National Academies of Sciences found that each year, one in four Americans 65 and older experiences a fall—the leading cause of injury among older adults. Impaired vision more than doubles the risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an older adult falls every second and there are 36 million falls among those age 65 and older every year. One out of five falls causes serious injury, such as broken bones or a head injury.

Vision impairment may be to blame in many of these cases. Blurred vision may cause you to not see objects in your path as clearly as you once did, which will increase your chances of falling. In some cases, other eye conditions such as undiagnosed near-sightedness, an out-ofdate eyeglass prescription, eye infections, glaucoma, or macular degeneration can increase the risk of falling.

That’s why ophthalmologists recommend that all people, but especially those 65 and older, receive a comprehensive eye exam every year. Changes in your vision can be monitored and treatment can be started as soon as the first signs appear. We also assess your risk of falling and make recommendations on how you can make your home safer, including:

• Roll up and put away small throw rugs that can be a tripping hazard. • Clear the clutter. Random items left on the floor make it more difficult to have a clear walking path. • Use bright bulbs where they are needed most, but especially at room entrances and the top and bottom of stairs. • Wear rubber-soled shoes around the house for better traction. • Use hand rails in the shower since slippery surfaces make you more prone to falling. • Watch your balance, which decreases as you age. Exercises are available to help maintain and improve balance. • Know where your pets are located at all times. They can be tripping hazards if you’re not aware that they are running across your path. • Review your medications with your doctor. Some medications for arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease and sleeping can cause dizziness. Your doctor can recommend alternatives. • Consider a fall detection device that will alert help should you fall. • Limit alcohol consumption. Older adults cannot process alcohol as easily as they did when they were younger, which can produce dizziness and light-headedness even 24 hours later.

Blurred vision can be a sign of diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. One of the first things that an arthritis flare-up might affect is the eyes. Impaired sight can be a direct result of the inflammation that comes from arthritis and affects the rest of the body from there. Remember to also consult your primary care physician if you have any vision-related concerns.

Candy Atchison (Parkwood) and Pam Kelly (Nautilus)

Above: Lois Pedersen (Lakewood), Tom Kelly (Nautilus), Carol Mann (Sundial), Joan Lee (Harbor Court), Rusty Rooker (Harbor Court), Gary Chapman (Rosemont), Liz O’Donnell (Rosemont), Judy Chapman (Rosemont), Mary Coddens (Oakmont), and Anne Wardlow (Parkwood)

Back-to-SchoolBack-to-School Success Success Residents Support the Annual School Supply Fund Drive BY CAROL SPERLAK, RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

When I issued the call for new volunteers to chair the 17th annual Shell Point School Supply Fund Drive, two residents enthusiastically stepped up to serve: Manus O’Donnell (Rosemont) and Jeanne Carguilo (Turban).

A former county executive in Florida and Maryland who helped residents of all ages receive Community Services, Manus knows firsthand the difference a fundraiser like the School Supply Fund Drive can make for Shell Point employees’ families. After agreeing to chair, Manus asked Jeanne to join him, and she readily agreed. The spirit of the back-toschool tradition also tugged at Jeanne’s heart: before retiring to Shell Point from New Hampshire, she spent 20 years teaching

Carlos Salazar Chacin

children with autism.

“Since I was in education, I remember purchasing many of these items for kids in my classroom,” she said. “This is such a worthwhile project.”

Fundraising began in April, and Shell Point residents generously donated an all-time high of $19,000 to purchase school supplies for Shell Point employees’ children and grandchildren. Armed with the official school supply lists from local elementary schools, the committee identified the items they wanted to include in this year’s bags. Then, leveraging the combined power of the Shell Point Purchasing Department and the resident donations, they placed their orders. Supplies were delivered to the Social Center on The Island, where 55 volunteers worked assembly-line style over two days to fill 750 Shell Point logo bags.

“Shopping for a new school year has a major impact on the family budget,” said Jim Clark, Director of Employee Ministry. “Our employees are so grateful to receive this special back-to-school blessing from our residents.” Continued on next page

Michael Fasone with his twins Sebastian and Adrian

Amanda Spencer with son Ryker

Clemmie Gordon and Anese Racius

On Friday, July 15, employees with children or grandchildren entering kindergarten through fifth grade were invited to pass through The Village Church porte cochere to pick up bags brimming with all the essentials, including notebooks, glue sticks, pencils and pens.

Looking ahead to next year, both Manus and Jeanne agreed to continue co-chairing the fundraiser and are already brainstorming ways to further streamline the packing and distribution process. Manus also initiated data gathering to ensure all Shell Point employees with kindergarten through fifth grade children who need school supplies for their children receive them. “Considering that this was our first year, and neither of us had participated before, Manus and I were really happy with the outcome,” said Jeanne.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of our generous resident donors and dedicated volunteers,” added Manus. “The employees’ smiles make it all worthwhile.”

For more photos, visit ShellPointSocialScene.com

Claude Emler Claude Emler's grandaughters Savannah and Ashlyn

Joan Lee (Harbor Court) and Rusty Rooker (Harbor Court) with Joe Knapp Lurline Morgan

Amanda Vermeesch with daughter Taylor

Ben and Treva Crump (Junonia)

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

Independence Day 2022 Celebration at Shell Point

Shell Point’s Independence Day celebration kicked off with the traditional July 4th Golf Cart Parade. The excitement began as dozens of golf carts and bikes adorned with flags, buntings and balloons gathered at The Village Church. Friends and neighbors wearing their red, white and blue best cheered on the parade as it circled The Island, continued to The Woodlands and Coastal Links, and made a stop at The Springs. Shell Point’s Vintage Brass kept things lively with music to accompany the parade! Afterwards, a delicious picnic lunch buffet awaited residents at The Crystal. The afternoon ended with an amazing “America the Beautiful” concert at The Village Church, featuring everyone’s favorite patriotic songs. Afterwards, residents enjoyed everyone’s favorite dessert—all American apple pie!

Top Left: Nancy Hoover (Royal Bonnet), Judy Kinsinger (Royal Bonnet), Patti Melatti (Royal Bonnet), and Jo Roughen (Royal Bonnet) Top Right: Pat Fluno (Nautilus) Middle Right: George and Vicki Bundschu (Oakmont)

Bottom Left: Marvin and Phyllis Ball (Macoma) Bottom Right: Timothy and Jo Klenk (Royal Bonnet)

America the Beautiful

Continued from previous page

Top: Jim Stapleton (Harbor) and Earl Kennedy (Parkwood) Middle Left: Tom Green (Turban) with grandsons, Peter and Nathan Middle Right: Vicky Kennedy (Parkwood) Bottom Right: Don and Peggy Bruhn (Rosemont)

Top Left: Vaida Jordan and Ellen Suess Top Right: Jean Knox (Lakewood), Gordon Redding, Maria Parks (Lakewood), and Fritz Knox (Lakewood) Middle Left: Jon High and Laura Slack Middle Right: Barry and Jay Solomon (Lakewood) Bottom Left: Mike Myers, Carol Sperlak, Jim Stapleton (Harbor), and JoEllen Urasky

For more photos, visit ShellPointSocialScene.com