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By Roy Nestor, Safety Coordinator Now, more than ever, social media is leaving a tremendous impact on our culture. From connecting with friends on Facebook to checking local sports news on Twitter, these popular websites have become an everyday habit for many. Aside from catching up with old pals or searching the latest trends, social media can also make you more susceptible to cyber threats. Recently, The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit found a pattern of suspicious behavior involving local individuals targeting friends, high school acquaintances and friends of friends via s ..read more

By Tammie Fraser, Practice Administrator According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 58 million Medicare beneficiaries will begin to receive new Medicare cards over a 12-month period, starting in April 2018. This is to eliminate your Social Security Number (SSN) from the card in order to fight medical identity theft. These numbers will be replaced with a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) made up of up to 11 letters and numbers to be used for billing, eligibility and claim status. In addition, there are several things you need to know about your new Medicare card ..read more

If you were to ask ten different people, “What does wellness mean to you?” you would probably get ten different answers. Just as no two people are alike, no two journeys to wellness are identical either. One fact that most people can agree on is that wellness is important and that striving for a personal balance in the areas of mind, body, and spirit can lead to true wellness and personal satisfaction. Shell Point has always promoted a culture of wellness to its residents, a holistic philosophy of wellness that expands across the community and throughout all levels of care. Through the LifeQu ..read more

The internet is a powerful tool for seniors who want to stay connected with their loved ones and continue learning. It’s also a convenient place for scammers to commit fraud, especially against older adults. Whether from identity theft or malicious software hacks, there are ways seniors can prevent themselves from becoming a target. Avoid Responding to Unfamiliar Emails. Scams come in many forms, but email is a primary method for scammers to connect with unsuspecting victims. Never respond to an email that asks for personal information like your address, phone number, or credit card informat ..read more

For many seniors, the idea of living in a retirement community is ideal because it offers a social atmosphere and engaging programs. New support for this instinct has emerged from a recent study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study found that isolated older adults have a shorter lifespan than those who engage in regular community activities. The accompanying feeling of loneliness can increase the risk of health issues, like mood disorders, depression, weight-gain, and even heart disease. Conversely, social interaction can have profound physiological effects. For i ..read more

Recently, the American Heart Association lowered the bar for high blood pressure from 140/90 to 130/80. These guidelines are based on the detection, prevention, management, and treatment of high blood pressure. For many Americans, this means that they are at higher risk than they once were. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, along with 75 million other Americans, your risks are even higher. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are several lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it in a healthy range: Lose a few. Blood pressu ..read more

Social networking sites build upon the concept where you are connected to new people through people you already know. The purpose of some networking sites may be purely social, allowing users to establish friendships or romantic relationships, while others may focus on establishing business connections. Although the features of social networking sites differ, all allow you to provide information about yourself and offer some type of communication mechanism that enables you to connect with other users. On some sites, you can browse for people based on certain criteria, while other sites requir ..read more

It’s that time of year when the ovens are baking, the eggnog is flowing, and the smell of sugar cookies fill the air. It is a time for family and celebration, but also a time to indulge in some of your seasonal favorites. Maintaining a balanced diet during the holidays can sometimes feel impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. The following five tips can help keep you on track this season. It’s not just about the food. Don’t make food the center of your attention, focus, or obsession. Instead, focus on what the season truly is about: spending time with your loved ones, caring for others ..read more

According to recent studies, there are many health and therapeutic benefits of gardening for seniors. The physical and visual access to nature has been proven to help improve overall mood, reduce stress, and even lower blood pressure. For people living with Alzheimer’s disease, the benefits of gardens are even greater. For one of Shell Point’s residents in the Memory Care Program, the process of planting and nurturing has allowed her to flourish. With a growing passion for gardening that began years before coming to Shell Point, this outdoor activity has brought joy and more physical engagemen ..read more