The Harbor Light - November 2020

HarboTrhe Light
V It h e S I O N

HONORING HOW THE WELLNESS CENTER CAME TO BE

NOVEMBER 2020

NOVEMBER

On Second Thought...

Several weeks ago, we decided now is an helping the residents
excellent time to highlight Plymouth and team members
Harbor's wellness program and once again working together to
honor the person who brought our vision keep those branches
to the next level — former resident Joanne intact and healthy.
Hastings — and how she provided the
inspiration for the wonderful gift we have Joanne would be
today, the Wellness Center. proud if she could
Of course, with the temporary closing of the walk the halls today,
center in an abundance of caution related to the where we will gather
pandemic, I had second thoughts whether this again dancing, meditating, laughing, reflecting,
story should go forward at this time. Knowing educating and envisioning our bodies and
Mrs. Hastings as I did, this certainly was not minds stronger, reaching upward to a better
part of her vision or, for that matter, mine. tomorrow.
When I shared my thought to delay this
article with my wife Nancy, she challenged me How fitting that Joanne would be likely
and said, “I think there is no better time to standing there, head tilted to the side, with a
share the story.” gradually-forming grin saying to all of us, her
Then, as seems to be my routine, my 2 a.m. Plymouth Harbor family, “I told you we could
idea wakeup call came, and I thought about it overcome these challenges together.”
more and said, “Yes.”
The tree that symbolizes Joanne is a perfect By 2:15 a.m., I decided that there is no better
reminder of events of this week — I will time to share THE Vision with all of you as it
explain. certainly has proven an inspiration to me and
The vibrant, strong red tree that hangs on others.
the wall near the entrance to the Wellness
Center is a perfect symbol of her strength and Enjoy this article and join me as
now — ours. Upon that tree you see her vision, Thanksgiving Day approaches to not be
her enthusiasm and her persistence that good discouraged by the sacrifices we are making,
things can happen. but thankful for the gifts that are all around us
The tree she painted, spur of the moment, here at Plymouth Harbor.
reigns once again to help us work through
our most recent pandemic challenges. It is the Thank you, Joanne Hastings, for living on in
image of the branches, the direction of those our thoughts.
branches, strong and reaching upward, that are
Harry Hobson
President & CEO

2 ­— The Har bor Light

the

GENESIS

By Harry Hobson | President & CEO

Plymouth Harbor’s early Wellness vision meeting with Dr. Bill Kennedy,
Center consisted of a group exercise Plymouth Harbor Trustee at the time;
area along with some older Dr. Paul Groen, current resident and
cardio equipment and Tena Wilson, Vice President of Resident
weights. and Team Member Relations, to explore
Current resident Lois the construction of a new state of the art
Droege led those early wellness center. That meeting became
classes for many years. We the genesis for what we know today as
will always be grateful for Mrs. Droege's the Plymouth Harbor Wellness Center.
contributions to our wellness program. It was former resident, Joanne Hastings,
Along with one-on-one meetings who served as the inspiration to take the
with Lois, Harry Hobson organized a vision to the next level.

the

VISION

By Emmalee Molay | Communications Manager

All ideas start somewhere — and in the case of Plymouth
Harbor's Wellness Center, the robust and multi-purpose space
opened after the vision of one particular resident blossomed into the

welcoming location looking out onto the water we know today.

The Har bor Light — 3

The late gift, the Wellness Center classes continue, we see

Joanne opened in September of more and more people

Hastings 2014, and the first guests showing up. Slowly but

passed saw what Joanne had surely, people are coming

away envisioned all along. down and they are all

before This year's COVID-19 taking a moment to pop in

she was able to pandemic was one of the and say how happy they

see the Wellness Center only times the Wellness are to be back.

in its full-functioning Center has closed since "It's almost indescribable

day-to-day activities, but its ribbon cutting more to peek over and see

her memory lives on in the than six years ago, and the people outside my office

curves and shine of the return of group exercise again."

Wellness Center's beauty this past month was the Looking back on how it

and purpose. piece that completed the all started, President and

Her initial gift was the Wellness Center puzzle CEO Harry Hobson knew

catalyst that got the ball once again. that Joanne played a vital

rolling. More than two Residents and team role in the transformation

years and several other members alike are back from the very beginning.

donations following that to walking by and First talks of the

seeing the dance Wellness Center's face-

studio full with lift began between Harry

exercise classes, and Joanne with an initial

though socially- conversation following

distanced, but the the project's strategic

sight of people itself plan unveiling at an all

is what makes the residents meeting in late

center so special, summer of 2012.

says Director of "She was so passionate

Wellness Summer about it," Harry said. "She

Rentsch. called me and the first

"Getting group thing she mentioned was

exercise back to the need for a space for

up-and-running ballroom dance.

has really felt like "She then wanted to meet

a homecoming," with me, and in our first

she said. "As the brief meeting she wanted

4 ­— The Har bor Light

to make sure I knew how Joanne downstairs
excited she was about us would have hoped. and share with her exactly
doing something like this "It took months," Harry where the whole thing
and how important she said. "We went through stood," Harry said. "While
thought it was. I got the all kinds of approvals — we were walking, the
feeling that her passion more I spoke the more
meant she really wanted to mostly having to do impatient she became
get involved with this." with the location of it with me.
In the following being on the ground "She said 'Harry you keep
months, Plymouth floor and what that talking and nothing is
Harbor established a meant in terms of happening.'"
capital campaign to design flexibility." The day was December
fund the remainder of 10, 2013 — the same day
the project, and by the Joanne, over time, resident Maureen Aldrich
spring of 2013, Plymouth Harry said, was and a handful of other
Harbor received detailed becoming very residents from the art
drawings, approval by anxious. committee were holding
the City of Sarasota a "paint-in" on the walls
and commencement of "It finally came to
renovation activity. the point where I
The plan was looking needed to walk her
in good shape, however,
things then didn't move
quite as fast as

The Har bor Light — 5

leading to the hallway of

Plymouth Harbor's old

Art Studio. The walls —

which were scheduled

to be torn down to

accommodate portions of

the renovations — quickly

filled with paintings from

resident artists of all levels

of expertise.

"Frankly, she was just

getting angry and she had

had it with me," Harry

said.

When the pair walked exactly

to the end of the hallway, painting one week later on

they ran into the artists, of a red tree was an omen December 17, 2013.
including Maureen.
of sorts — an unconscious "It was very
"I had a bucket with red tranquil realization for serendipitous, the whole
paint in it and a big long Joanne that everything thing," Harry said. "It's
paintbrush," she said. "I was going to work out
noticed everyone kind one of those moments I

just fine. will never forget."
of just stepped back and Coming from distressed Joanne's true spirit for
her and I were in our own just minutes before,
bubble." her desire to give came

Joanne became calm from multiple places,
Maureen greeted Joanne and confident, as Harry according to many who
in French, they began
remembers. knew her, and one large
speaking and Maureen
"Maureen was the perfect part of that was her
handed off the paintbrush. person at the perfect
What came of the background in interior

time," he said. "We had design, said fellow
moment was a permanent no idea what they were resident Terry Aldrich.
memento that hangs in talking about, because
the Wellness Center to they were talking in "She probably took

this day — the cutout one look at that space

of that very piece of French but the connection downstairs [when she

was incredible." became a resident in 2010]
pegboard wall. Joanne's Joanne passed away
and said 'Oh my God,'"

6 ­— The Har bor Light

Terry said. "She the pillars came
probably had Wellness Center — down from.
dreams all night to the smallest of details. "She also didn't
about how she "She really wanted like corners,
could fix it." a mirror ball in the hence the curved
Her legacy ballroom," Harry said. windows in the
is also "But we knew what we ballroom and
remembered in were working with on very circular
the establishing the ground floor, and we space."
of a mighty feat couldn't raise the ceilings. Maureen says she
with her late That's really where the still very much
husband, Ed feels as if Joanne is
—The Hastings Heart watching over the
Care Center at Beebe space, as well.
Medical Center in Lewes, "I think about her every
Delaware. This Charitable time I walk down that
Trust donation allowed hallway," she said. "I pass
Beebe Medical Center that painting and I think
to create a badly needed about how she probably
Heart Center to benefit had a vision of herself
the community. twirling around that
To this day, Joanne's ballroom. She would be
presence can still be felt in really proud of that."

On the cover — Residents participate in Total Fitness with instructor Felipe Cava below
an original rendering of the Wellness Center. Page 3 — Lois Droege. Page 4 — above, Joanne
Hastings; below, resident Tom Goddard follows along during a recent class. Page 5 — above,

resident Maureen Aldrich watches as Joanne paints on the old walls of the ground floor;
below, her final painting. Page 6 — Maureen and her husband Terry during a recent Tai Chi

class. Page 7 — resident Janette Albrecht participates in a recent group exercise class.

The Har bor Light — 7

Happy Veteran's Day

November 11, 2020

More than 41 million Americans have served throughout our nation’s history.
Plymouth Harbor has identified more than fifty men and women in our base of
residents and Harbor Club members who served in every branch of service —

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as the UK Royal Navy.
In an attempt to identify as many veterans as possible at Plymouth Harbor, we may have
missed some. Whether or not your name is listed, know that your service to your country in
making the world a better place does not go unappreciated. We thank you for your service!

Martin Abrahams Bill Brackett Ed Dupree Gregory Hetter
Army Army Harbor Club Army
Korea
Payson Adams Army Tramm Hudson
Harbor Club 1953-1955 Vietnam Harbor Club
Army reporter, disc jockey 1951-1972 Army
Vietnam & 22 year veteran; Cold War
Desert Storm Richard Carroll Distinguished 1975-1979
1969-1972 Army Flying Cross; Two
Bronze Stars Reserves 1979-1996
Reserves, 1969-93 Warren Coville Tom Elliott Bill Johnston
Retired as Colonel Army/Air Force Army
Army Gus Nimick
Jim Ahstrom WWII Vietnam Army
Army/Navy 1943-45 1959-62 WWII
Richard Cooley Served in Germany 1946-1947
WWII Mary Ann Fair
1943-47, 1950-52 Army
Arthur Ancowitz Vietnam, Desert Army
Storm & Somalia Vietnam
Army 1960-63
WWII, Korea 1966-2000 Army Nurse
1940-42, 1950-52 retired as colonel Corps during
Marvin Baker Berlin Crisis
Harbor Club Jack Denison David Hayes
Army Harbor Club
Army
Korea Bruce Donaldson Army
1953-1955 Army Vietnam
medical corps Korea 1968-1971

8 —­ The Har bor Light

Jamo Powell Ike Eisenfeld David Beliles David Pearah
Army Air Force Marine Corps Navy
Korea
Tom Hopkins Korea Vietnam
1958-1988 Air Force 1948-52 1964-1966
Retired as Colonel, Vietnam Ky Thompson Lieutenant
1969-1974 Marine Corps Jay Rixse
30 years active Vietnam Harbor Club
military service KC-135 navigator, 1964-1989
finished with the Lt. Colonel Navy
Tom Towler rank of Captain Colin Harris Vietnam
Army Royal Navy (UK) 1963-1991
Korea Al Jennings 1953-1956 Captain
Air Force Served for Pete Ross
Dale Woodling Vietnam Great Britain
Harbor Club 1954-1980 Michael Bennett Navy
Army Jack Kidd Harbor Club Vietnam
Cold War Air Force 1960-1964
1979-2006 Cuban crises Navy Bill Stanford
Terry Aldrich 1963-1968 Vietnam
Air Force Reserves 1963-1967 Navy
Jim Anderson Arnold Kropf four tours in Vietnam Sallie VanArsdale
Air Force Harbor Club Dodie Dashiell
Vietnam Air Force Navy WAVES Navy WAVES
1961-1964 Vietnam WWII WWII
Captain 1952-1984 decoded 1944-46
Tom Belcher fighter pilot German messages
Air Force Don MacLean Tom Goddard John Williams
Korea Air Force Navy
1953-57 Karen Olson Navy Korea
Bob Boltuch Harbor Club Vietnam
Harbor Club Air Force 1964-68 1951-54
Air Force 1973-1993 Lieutenant Air intelligence
Vietnam retired as Jim Griffith
1965-1967 Lt. Colonel office on five
medical officer Herb Waltzer Navy different carriers
Larry Coffey Air Force WWII
Air Force 1955-1957 1945-46 The Har bor Light — 9
Bob Dawson Carl Denney Richard March
Air Force Coast Guard Navy
Vietnam
1969-73

TROPICAL VIBES

Sam Seager & Marje Lieberman

Gus Nimick & Rudy

Gary & Kathy Hendricks Gary & Ann Olson

On behalf of the entire pandemic. The new menu concept,
Dining Services team, Going forward, the which begins on November 2,
Plymouth Harbor would like will include things such as tapas
to thank its residents for a Mayflower will continue to see and small plates, as well as
successful reopening of the a few changes including a new entrées and Plymouth Harbor
Mayflower Restaurant. menu concept that will meet favorites.
residents’ nutritional needs and
Residents enjoyed a special dining desires. The ‘concept’ For any comments
theme of "Island Life" to mark is to move beyond a six-week or suggestions, don't
the first week of residents menu to an ever-evolving menu hesitate to reach out
since the restaurant closed in that offers healthy, delicious at diningsuggestions@
March due to the COVID-19 choices with plenty of options. plymouthharbor.org

10 ­— The Har bor Light AROUND CAMPUS

THE RIGHT HOME

After longtime clock was a little too
Plymouth Harbor tall for the ceilings,
resident Elsa Price Elsa graciously agreed
recently moved into to house the clock in
Seaside Assisted Living, the library alcove on
movers were having the second floor of the
an issue fitting one of Northwest Garden for
her iconic pieces of other residents and team
furniture into her new members to enjoy.
apartment.
What a beautiful piece
After discovering her to put on display, thank
early-1800s grandfather you Elsa!

CONSERVATION TIP

Recycling quantities have pizza boxes, should not be Items to be recycled should
shown increases in the past put in the recycle room, nor be placed individually in the
two months. Thanks to all who should plastic bags, Styrofoam recycle bins and should not be
conscientiously participate in items, coat hangers or similar placed in plastic or paper bags.
this important conservation items that can foul up the Following the rules will better
program. recycle machinery, like pots, assure that the items placed in
pans, dishes, pane glass or the recycle bins will be recycled
Sometimes, items end up in glassware. Plastic items without and will not end up in the
the recycle room that should not the triangular recycle symbol are landfill because of excessive
be there. Food-contaminated also excluded. quantities of unwanted items.
paper or cardboard items, like

AROUND CAMPUS The Har bor Light — 11

MANY THANKS

Many thanks goes to resident
Marge Kaminski for her creativity
and thoughtfulness represented
in her handmade healthcare
workers appreciation wreath that
is now hanging on the door of her
apartment in the Northwest Garden.

What a wonderful gesture!

GRIN AND BEAR IT

The Artist in Residence area veterinarian, at a time when
on the Mezzanine is dedicated to there were only about 50 vets
showcasing the myriad talents of in the state. He had a lifelong
our residents. interest in photography and
used this skill in his practice
Over the years, Plymouth and later as a faculty member
Harbor has featured artists at a veterinary college. Upon
whose specialty has been collage, retirement, Dr. Newman’s
needlework, constructions, second career as a photographer
woodworking, oils, acrylics and took flight — quite literally, as
fabrics. he became a well-known avian
photographer. His photographs
Please find your way to the are held in many private
Mezzanine to view a collection collections and are on display
of photographs by resident at many local hospital and
Lou Newman, available for healthcare organizations. But as
November and December 2020. you can see from his "Grin and
Bear It" collection, his expertise
After studying veterinary extends beyond birds.
medicine at Cornell, Dr.
Newman moved west to
Montana as a rancher and

12 —­ The Har bor Light AROUND CAMPUS

WELCOME, NEW FRIENDS!

Introducing your newest neighbors

To l i m i t a n y u n n e c e s s a r y g r o u p g a t h e r i n g s , T h e H a r b o r L i g h t s t a f f
and the Biography Committee have agreed to temporarily suspend

f u l l b i o g r a p h i e s o n n ew r e s i d e n t s. We s i n c e r e ly h o p e t h i s c a n
return as soon as possible and hope you still feel compelled to
reach out to your newest neighbors to welcome them and say hello.

ROBERT WILK

Apartment T-308; Ext. 405

BE CAUTIOUS

Use these tips for blocking believing someone local is caller’s identification.
robocalls, texts and marketing calling you. 7. Independently verify
calls.
3. Don’t pick up a call from numbers they tell you to call.
1. Register your phone a number you don’t know. 8. Contact your mobile
numbers with the federal
government’s Do Not Call 4. Don’t call back a number devices or landline service
Registry. You can also call you don’t recognize to see provider to look into features
1-888-382-1222 from the who called you. for blocking unwanted calls.
number you want to register
— mobile or landline. 5. If you picked up and 9. File a complaint with
realized you got a robocall, the FCC Consumer Help
2. Remember, your caller immediately hang up. Center when you receive
ID might show a fake number an unwanted call to help
designed to fool you into 6. Never reveal any personal determine where to take
or financial information action.
unless you have verified the

AROUND CAMPUS The Har bor Light — 13

New in the Library

Fiction DVDs

All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny Maudie; with Ethan
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman Hawke & Sally Hawkins
Choppy Water by Stuart Wood
Deadlock by Catherine Coulter Maiden; about women
Evening and The Morning – Prequel to in a famous sailing
race, the Whitbread
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie Son of Saul; Holocaust
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante* story which won the
The Perfect Nanny – Leila Slimani academy award for
Monagamy by Sue Miller best foreign language
Royal by Danielle Steel film
Skinny Dip by Carl Haasen
Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante* Weeping Camel; about
Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown a family of nomads in
the Gobi desert
*donated
All is True; with Judi
Non-Fiction Dench, Ian McKellen
& Kenneth Branagh,
about William
Shakespeare

Bad Education Series
2; BBC British comedy
series

The Bird Way – A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent &
Think by Jennifer Ackerman
Caste...The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Everything Beautiful in Its Time by Jenna Bush Hager
Fathoms – The World in the Whale by Rebecca Giggs
The Fox Hunt – A Refugee's Memoir of Coming to America by
Mohammed Al Samawi*
His Truth is Marching On - John Lewis & the Power of Hope by Jon Meacham
Vesper Flights by Helen MacDonald

14 —­ The Har bor Light New in the Library

HARBOR FAITH

Outside Our Windows/Inside Our Doors
A Haiku Portrait of Sarasota’s Plymouth Harbor by Celia Catlett
Dedicated to the MacNeil family and to Chaplain Dick Sparrow

Chapter Four
IN THE WATER

Stripes Serious Play
Zebra fish swim by Dolphins arch and knive
dressed like runaway felons, foamed water to the terror
glance with nervous eye.
Oysters at Home of small fish below.
Oysters blow bubbles Aquanauts
from crusty, castled shells,
waiting tide’s return. Words and waves sparkle.
The class walks, jumps, treads water.
Two Manatees
Watching mom and child, The sun smiles at them.
we walk along the seawall, Swimming

admire the cozy pair. An oxygen high,
better than meditation,
like the feel of flight.

Chaplain Sparrow
recently celebrated World
Communion Day, which
was on October 4, during
one of his Wednesday
morning Chapel services.

Check out that heap of
bread!

Dick Sparrow has been the chaplain at Plymouth Harbor since 2016. His page for The Harbor Light
entitled Harbor Faith runs monthly. Please feel free to call him with questions or comments at Ext. 587.

HARBOR FAITH The Har bor Light — 15

The Spirit f Philanthropy

For many, Thanksgiving is a time residents and in honor of our
to stop what we are doing, dedicated team members. This is
gather with friends and family and Plymouth Harbor.
break bread. National Philanthropy Day is
It’s an emotional holiday. We November 15. Always celebrated
worry about those taking to the just before Thanksgiving, it is our
roads to be with us, relieved when time to acknowledge those who
the suitcases are hurled through the continue to work together for the
front door. We meet new significant common good.
others, grandbabies and fur- This year, resident
babies. We celebrate engagements, Elaine Keating is
weddings, graduations, new jobs being honored by
and retirements. We embrace WEDU PBS for her
those gathered and remember why generosity during
there’s an empty chair this year and a virtual event
grieve. We celebrate life, love and hosted by the Gulf
abundance. This is us. Coast Chapter
The spirit of philanthropy and of Association
the art of gratitude is appreciating of Fundraising. We celebrate
the whole, all things great and Elaine and the countless others
small. I experience gratitude every here at Plymouth Harbor who have
day at Plymouth Harbor. I see helped make a difference. No act of
genuine concern for each other kindness goes unnoticed.
being expressed at elevators and Everyone here at Plymouth
by masked smiles exchanged in our Harbor does make a difference
grand lobby or by mailboxes. I hear just by continuing to spread love,
of residents taking care of other especially during this trying time.
residents — lending cars, fixing I thank you for all you have done
furniture, sharing their off-campus and continue to do, making life here
homes with visiting relatives of at Plymouth Harbor a very special
residents, running errands for each place to be.
other. I routinely receive donations Happy Thanksgiving to you and
made in memory of beloved may your day be filled with love.

Beth Watson has been the Vice President of Philanthropy of The Plymouth Harbor
Foundation since 2019. Please feel free to call her with questions or comments at Ext. 398.

16 ­— The Har bor Light The Spirit f Philanthropy

The Plymouth Harbor Foundation would like to congratulate team members
Justin Leathers and Micayla Davies on their recent graduation from
LeadingAge Florida's Leadership Academy, which was funded graciously through

the Harry and Nancy Hobson Leadership Development Grant. Justin and
Micayla finished the one-year program with the presentation of their action-
learning projects, among the rest of their classmates from around the state.

Micayla says; "During my time in
the LeadingAge Leadership Academy,
I grew in more ways than I had even
thought possible.

When COVID-19 first came about,
we were actually sitting in the
LeadingAge office in Tallahassee after
visiting the capitol to learn about
advocacy for our field. Never did I
imagine that when we had returned,
we would be asked to advocate for
our own facilities —­ providing what
our biggest concerns were entering

into the pandemic for our residents
and staff.
While I thought an event such as this could be the greatest challenge
of our careers, I returned and witnessed true leaders arising, one of them being me. The
Leadership Academy allowed me to realize how I can become a successful leader in my
organization. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to Harry and Nancy Hobson, as well as
all of Plymouth Harbor for your support for the past year. It has meant the world to me."

Justin says; "When I was nominated for discussed how we approach change in our
this program, I felt humbled and honored, lives and in business and how we can make
and looked at it as the next, and certainly the process easier as leaders.
not last, step of my leadership journey. Finally, at the third conference, I
Through the next four conferences and met with a couple other participants
many virtual meetings, we covered three and received some great feedback on
aspects of leadership. issues I was dealing with in my new
At the first conference, we discussed role. I implemented their suggestions
the crucible moments that influenced upon returning and it has really helped,
our development. This helped me to showing the value of having a network of
understand where I am coming from and confidants.
to identify crucible moments as they arose. As I look back on the time since that first
At the second conference, my group gave conference, I feel more confident and feel
a presentation on a book called Switch. I that I have learned the skills to tackle the
found this book extremely interesting, as it challenges that will happen in the future."

The Spirit f Philanthropy The Har bor Light — 17

Staying HEALTHY in Florida
all about BALANCE

By Elyse Rogers about what most of us would location. If you have any balance
consider the movement involved concerns, you might want to
We all read a great deal about in “everyday living.” enlist the help of a partner or
what’s important for a healthy friend until you are absolutely
lifestyle, and, as you all know, So it behooves all of us to certain you can safely do balance
I emphasize those elements treasure our sense of balance — exercises on your own.
frequently. All the basic elements that innate perception that keeps
of a healthy lifestyle are indeed us upright without our having to Some Basic Principles of
important, especially as we get think about it. • GSotasrlotiwnlgy.aTNryetwheRseigmimpleest
older. exercises first and do short
Maintaining an routines. Delay the harder
I’d like to add one aspect of LOiknegmoainngy SpehnyssiecaolftBhainlagnsce balance exercises or extended
healthy living that seldom gets that can change as we age, routines until you’ve mastered
singled out, but I think is very that characteristic sense of the easier ones.
important — BALANCE. Why? balance is often one of them. • Maintain good posture all
Because it’s vital if we want to Unfortunately, many physical through any exercise. (Work at
age well and continue with our acts that we did automatically in distributing your weight evenly
upright lifestyle. The statistics our 40s and 50s, now take some over both ankles.)
on falls for senior citizens are thought or even some practice • Avoid quick changes of
pretty scary: “According to the to keep keen. So I would suggest position or quick turns. Think
U.S. Centers for Disease Control that even before we notice any of your movements as slow-and-
and Prevention: one in four change in our normal stability, steady rather than fast and/or
Americans aged 65+ falls each we incorporate some easy abrupt.
year.” Wow. Not a happy statistic! exercises into our daily routine. • Station a chair close by
And, always remember safety as a place to hold onto while
Broken bones and or twisted first! If you are experiencing any beginning balance exercises.
joints are oft-mentioned light-headedness during “normal (Start with holding onto the
complications from falls, and living,” or if you are taking any chair with both hands, then
those injuries are ones we all medications that might influence graduate to one hand, a few
want to avoid, whatever our age. your ability to safely do any fingers, one finger, and…)
But in addition to those physical balance exercises, check with • Keep your eyes open during
consequences there is also one your doctor before starting. these exercises. Note: I’ve seen
huge mental problem — and Be sure to do these exercises suggestions from some exercise
that is when the fear of falling in a “safe environment.” In programmers that “when
makes one more leery of the other words, find a doorway or you feel secure you can close
act of walking itself. I’ve known hallway where, if you do wobble your eyes to make the exercise
seniors who have fallen, and a bit, a side-wall or doorway, harder.” Hmm. Not sure it’s
even though they do okay after or whatever is available, will worth the risk unless you’ve had
the fall, it’s a very different “okay” bring you to a secure position. a serious talk with your health
from before the fall. They walk Be certain, particularly when professional or personal trainer
less, avoid stairs, seem much beginning such exercises, that who can work with you and is
more reluctant to go outside, you are totally secure in your
and are, in general, more timid

Elyse Rogers has been a Plymouth Harbor resident since 2019. Her column for The Harbor Light entitled Staying
Healthy in Florida runs monthly. Elyse is a Registered Nurse with advanced degrees in nursing, education and
medical communications. Please feel free to email her with questions or comments at [email protected].

18 —­ The Har bor Light Staying HEALTHY in Florida

convinced it’s a good, safe move. 5) Step-up balance” as an essential part of a
REMEMBER — no exercise is Use a step (or firm box)— healthy lifestyle — up there with
ideally positioned by a railing or eating our veggies and getting
a good one if you get injured in wall to use as support if needed enough ZZs. As shown, without
the pursuit of it. Step up with your right leg and proper body balance, normal
then bring your left leg up to daily living can be at risk. And
Five Balance Exercises to join it. all of us hope to continue our
InAcdoarpptoerdaftreoimntoinDfoarimlyaPtiroanctice Step down again and return normal daily pursuits into a ripe
from the National Health Service to the start position in a slow, and comfortable older age.
(NHS) of the United Kingdom steady and controlled manner.
(UK)) Perform five steps with each leg. Having said that, I am so
• ABlwalaaynscgeeitnuDp asliolywLlyivwinhgen thankful that we now have
1) Sideways walking rising from a chair. Stand for a “walkers” for those who need
Starting with feet together, minute before striding off. some support to be happy
(knees slightly bent), step • While walking around your strollers. I remember back
sideways with one foot, and then condo or home, practice posture when I was a child —“walkers”
bring the other to join it. (Don’t basics whenever you can: stand were unknown. Anyone who
drop hips as you step). Perform straight, tuck in both chin and needed more than a cane to help
10 steps one way and 10 steps fanny, pull in stomach muscles, with stability, was forced into a
back. etc. At first it will seem like wheelchair! Not that wheelchairs
2) Simple grapevine a lot of work, but if you do it aren’t wonderful aids for a wide
Sideways walking as above, but consistently, it will become an assortment of physical needs,
with crossing the right foot over automatic, no-brainer habit. but it’s so good to have other
left and bringing the left to join • Reminder: If you are taking resources as well.
it. Do five cross-steps on each medications, ask your doctor if
side. (Put your fingers against a there are any side effects which So, let’s all keep moving. As
wall for stability if you need to.) may cause light-headedness or one who, along with many
Note that the smaller the step, decreased balance. people here, is a dedicated
the harder it is. So, let’s staCrtoinncclluusdioinng “good walker, I am so thankful that we
3) Heel-to-toe walk live in a beautiful place, with a
While standing, place your lovely, walkable campus.
right heel on the floor directly in
front of your left toe. Follow with Good for the body and good
the left heel while always looking for the soul!
forward.
Again, as above, put your
fingers against a wall for stability
if necessary. Perform five steps
to start. As you get better at the
exercise do more repetitions and,
move away from the wall.
4) One-leg stand
Stand facing the wall, with
arms outstretched and fingertips
touching the wall.
Lift first the left leg and then
the right — each for five to 10
seconds. Gently place the lifted
foot back on the floor. Keep hips
level and maintain a slight bend
in the opposite leg. Perform
three on each side.

Staying HEALTHY in Florida The Har bor Light — 19

facebook.com/PlymouthHarbor John M. Cranor III
@PlymouthHarbor Chair, Plymouth Harbor,

Inc. Board of Trustees
Harry Hobson
President/CEO

HARBOR LIGHT STAFF
Joe Devore

Senior Vice President of Health Services
Emmalee Molay

Communications Manager
Gordon Okawa

Vice President of Marketing
& Community Affairs
Maryanne Shorin

Director of Resident Programming
Beth Watson

Vice President of Philanthropy
Tena Wilson

Vice President of Resident
& Team Member Relations

HARBOR LIGHT BIOGRAPHERS
Judy Stanford — Chair
Catha Abrahams
Ann Anderson
Sue Elliott
Lorna Hard
Kathy Hendricks
Cerita Purmort
Estelle Silbert
Wendy Underwood
Sallie VanArsdale