Award recognizes creative, high-quality approach to older-adult wellness
FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 13, 2009) — The Academy at Shell Point has been named as one of this year’s most innovative active aging programs by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), an association that supports professionals who develop wellness and fitness facilities and services for age 50-plus adults.
Dawn Boren, Shell Point’s Director of Resident Life; and Teri Kollath, Academy and Volunteer Manager accepted the 2008 ICAA Industry Innovator Award for The Academy’s creative programming on behalf of the retirement community at a conference held in Texas.
The annual ICAA awards honor excellence and creativity in the health and wellness field. They also recognize organizations that have developed cutting-edge programs to support active aging, plus spotlight one innovative piece of fitness equipment for the active older-adult market. The award-winning offerings target any or all of the six dimensions of wellness—emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual and social.
Of the 2,000 elders who reside at Shell Point, more than half have volunteered in this continuing care retirement community—over 400 as instructors or speakers for The Academy at Shell Point, the community’s lifelong learning educational initiative. For three semesters every year, The Academy provides a well-rounded curriculum of educational opportunities for senior adults that touch on the six components of wellness. Anywhere from 70 to 90 classes take place per semester. Areas of focus include such things as Community Enrichment; Mind, Body and Spirit (e.g., stress management, spirituality, memory disorders and testing, and chronic illness prevention and management); Computer College; and Legacy Seminars (e.g., financial, legal and end-of-life issues).
“Interestingly, despite its zero-based budget, the program has attracted the highest resident participation,” said Boren. “Nearly three out of four residents take part in The Academy, with equal representation across all of the levels of care,” she said. “We believe The Academy at Shell Point is innovative because it offers mental stimulation and lifelong learning in all areas of one’s personal well-being, while engaging residents in volunteer opportunities that enhance one’s quality of life,” said Teri Kollath, Manager of Academy and Volunteer Services.
“Shell Point’s Academy provides an inspiring example for everyone striving to support healthy, vibrant living for adults ages 50 and older,” says Colin Milner, ICAA founder and CEO. “The Academy offers an innovative, high-quality approach to wellness—one that promotes health, well-being and quality of life for older adults and helps individuals stay independent,” praises Milner. “ICAA congratulates Shell Point Retirement Community on the excellence and creativity demonstrated in this award-winning effort.”
As an ICAA award recipient, The Academy at Shell Point received a crystal award of recognition, a one-year ICAA facility membership, and a full pass to attend the recent ICAA’s Active Aging 2008 conference in San Antonio, Texas. In addition, an in-depth profile of The Academy at Shell Point will appear in ICAA’s bimonthly Journal on Active Aging in the coming year. This article will spotlight the cutting-edge initiative for active aging industry leaders and governmental organizations.
Shell Point Retirement Community is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers just off Summerlin Road, two miles before the Sanibel causeway. Shell Point is a nationally recognized leader in the retirement industry, and recently received a 5-star rating from the Federal government for the Larsen Pavilion, a skilled nursing facility on site.
