Connections Corner

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared November as National Alzheimer’s Awareness month. In 1994, he bravely disclosed to the world he had been diagnosed with the disease. President Reagan made the personal disclosure with the intention of bringing clear understanding of the condition and its impacts on individuals and families. Today, 6.5 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia.

The fight to end Alzheimer’s continues with research as the primary weapon. Although there have been disappointments in developing treatments, a new weapon built on research is a lifestyle approach to reduce risk of developing disease. Findings from two longitudinal studies (Chicago Health and Aging Project and the Rush Memory and Aging Project*) indicate healthy lifestyle is associated with a substantially lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, the studies indicate increased risk reduction is correlated with engaging in multiple healthy lifestyle factors.

Shell Point Connections Café programming highlights the “Big Four” lifestyle areas, which are healthy eating, physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and stress management. Memory classes, topical lectures, exercise classes, and healthy menu items in the restaurants all support the Big Four approach. A wellness support program is available for residents who need more guided encouragement in starting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle change. If you are a caregiver of a spouse with memory changes, there are caregiver education classes, Connections Circle Support Group, and respite services. For a person impacted by memory changes, there are opportunities for socialization and engagement through the Day Retreat at the Springs and UCLA Memory Care Program.

The fight to end Alzheimer’s will continue. For many it will be personal, but for all there are resources and support in the battle. For more information about programs and services referenced here, you may contact your Healthy Living Coordinator or Connections@shellpoint.org.

Fighting Alzheimer’s

BY EMILY REESE, CONNECTIONS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

National Alzheimer's Disease

Awareness Month

The Best of Care

Shell Point and its skilled nursing center, the Larsen Health Center,

recently earned multiple recognitions for its high quality of care and overall performance by Newsweek and the Fort Myers News-Press.

Newsweek partners with respected global data research firm Statista to create an annual ranking of America’s Best Nursing Homes. This year’s ranking identifies the nation’s top nursing homes based on three critical criteria: overall performance data, peer recommendations, and each facility’s handling of COVID-19, relative to in-state competition. Nursing homes in the 25 states with the highest population size, according to the United States Census Bureau were included in the study. Among the 37 best nursing homes recognized in Florida, the Larsen Pavilion ranked No. 12 on the list.

Once again, Shell Point swept the Fort Myers News-Press 2022 Best of the Best Awards, earning top community choice accolades for Assisted Living and Memory Care and a finalist ranking for Senior Living.

BY JANINE HAMMOND, DIRECTOR OF COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Practicing Gratitude

“Thank you.” It’s more than just a polite response to a good deed. It serves as a reminder that we all have things to be thankful for and reasons to feel grateful. Purposefully recognizing the good in our lives and expressing appreciation and thanks is engaging in the practice of gratitude.

Gratitude is foundational to well-being and mental health. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

When you learn to have a thankful heart and to see the best in all situations, you learn to be more positive even in the toughest of times. It’s easy to express gratitude during success and when things are going our way, but it’s harder to see the positive during difficult times. It’s during these times we need to be more grateful for the lessons learned. In Psalm 28:6-7 when David was crying out to God to be saved from death, God heard his prayer

and answered it, and David showed his gratitude. “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Research shows that gratitude can help us cope with traumatic events, regulate our “ negative emotions, and improve our well-being.

More importantly, gratitude can have a positive effect on our friends and family, too. It’s a small way to have a meaningful impact.“

Here are a few suggestions to help you cultivate gratitude: Write a thank-you note expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of someone’s impact on your life. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person. Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you’ve received each day. Practice mindfulness by focusing on the present moment without judgment. Pray and thank God for the blessings in your life.