Success Stories

John Roscoe is a man on the go and is a glowing testimony to the benefits of exercise and community involvement for older adults.
Read More >

Phyllis Palm was very concerned, perhaps even fearful.
Read More >

“Chain Gang,” a group
of fun-loving, young-at-heart Elim Park residents. Read More >

Wellness Program

Joe Roscoe

Success Stories

Phyllis Palm was very concerned, perhaps even fearful. She had fallen ten times within a year, and although thankfully she was never seriously injured, the possibility of being more severely injured was real.

Today, Phyllis has not fallen in more than a year. Her balance while stationary has improved 295 percent, her endurance has increased 63 percent and her agility has improved 40 percent, all due to the progressive fitness program at Elim Park.

Three times a week, Phyllis takes exercise classes with Elim Park's Wellness Director, Barbara Womer, MS. The classes are specially designed to help improve strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. Although the purpose of the classes is to help participants become more fit, Phyllis and her "workout buddies" find them great fun as well. "I used to drag my feet when I walked and tripped over everything. Since beginning the fitness program, I feel much stronger and healthier. I even have muscles for the first time in my life," laughed Phyllis, who takes great delight in showing her now toned biceps.

Phyllis, who lives in the Elim Park Place Mountain View neighborhood, is a long-time Girl Scout leader. She was a troop leader in North Haven for 40 years. On a recent sunny afternoon, Phyllis visited with several Girl Scout members of Troop 648 in Cheshire. Phyllis brought along her "traveling museum" of Girl Scout memorabilia collected over a near lifetime of service to the scouts and to the development of young girls.

"The Girl Scouts is a wonderful organization. It teaches leadership, teamwork and builds character," Phyllis exclaimed. "I'm so happy to be able to share its history with these young ladies."