AGENDA – PKS COUNCIL ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
April 14, 2026 – 10:30 a.m. Town Hall

Our vision: To expand the discussion of ways we can positively impact Pine Knoll Shores’ quality of life for our senior citizens and help each cope with issues that pose barriers to living comfortably in
Pine Knoll Shores and aging in place

Old Business:

• Last month Dr. Andrew Geddes helped us identify risk factors for falls and provided fall prevention recommendations. He demonstrated exercises that would help make us stay strong. A copy of the handouts of these exercises will be available on our website: pineknollshorescouncilonsuccessfullaging.com
  Andrew will be back soon to give us guidance on how to best work with arthritis pain and rigidity.
• Time Banking. Let’s make a decision about this program. We ran out of time to discuss this last month.
• Do we want to host a round table discussion around caregiving and dementia with several local ‘experts’? Residents have shared their personal challenges as caregivers to loved ones who need continual care. This experience would provide another perspective on ways the community/individuals can understand the importance of caregiving and, potentially, with understanding, we may be able to help ease some of the burdens on caregivers. We would invite local experts from the medical community, long term care facilities, caregivers, etc. to discuss the challenges they face. This would be open to all. If we agree to pursue this, what are our next steps and who should we invite to participate?

New Business: EMS led Community Paramedic Program
Working in partnership team of EMS/Fire Chief Bowden, COSA will provide ‘sneakers on the ground’ to Chief Bowden’s team to aid the establishment of a community paramedic program specific to PKS. COSA will help link our most vulnerable seniors with Chief Bowden’s team. This would effort would aid their responsiveness during times of emergency. There will be more information available over the next few months.

• Summary of key learnings from the 2025 COSA survey.
  COSA initiated a survey of PKS at the end of last summer. Full results have been tabulated and I would like to share key information with the group. This information will be available to other PKS groups as well, but I would like you to be the first to hear it.

THANKS to ALL! YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
Listen. Learn. Connect

AGENDA – PKS COUNCIL ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
March 10, 2026 – 10:30 a.m. Town Hall
Our vision: To expand the discussion of ways we can positively impact Pine Knoll Shores’ quality of life for our senior citizens and help each cope with issues that pose barriers to living comfortably in
Pine Knoll Shores and aging in place

We have a special demonstration of how to maximize our balance system
to reduce the risk of Falls

Our guest, Andrew Geddes, is a Physical Therapist residing in Morehead City. His parents live in PKS and he is hoping to assist the community with medical services. He graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Carolina University and is a board-certified specialist in the treatment of Orthopedic conditions. He has worked in the area for the past 5 years with Peak Performance Physical Therapy and recently opened a new office in Morehead City. 
His presentation is interactive. Please wear a comfortable pair of shoes for an assessment of your balance and how you might improve. Dr. Geddes will also identify risk factors for falls and provide fall prevention recommendations.
In the United States, over 14 million older adults ( ~ 1 in 4 ) report falling each year; This translates to approximately 37% of those aged 65 and older.  In 2021, there were nearly 39,000 deaths due to falls among older adults; In 2022, deaths due to falls at home or work increased to 46,653 people. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults.

I. Old Business:
◦ Time Banking
▪ Kathy Driver has agreed to help with the development of this idea.

• Is this a go-no go initiative?
• If yes, what next steps should we pursue?
• Who will help Kathy make this initiative a reality?
• A round table discussion around caregiving and dementia with several local ‘experts’
• Invite this community to establish the need, importance, and feasibility of implementing an approach to caregiving and dementia for resident families.
  ◦ Is this a go-no go initiative?
  ◦ If yes, what next steps should we pursue?
  ◦ Who will we partner with?

II. New Business: EMS led Community Paramedic Program
Our network of agencies/organizations (e.g., Leon Mann Center, County Board of Aging, Eastern Carolina Council, Home Helpers Home Care, Spoondrift, etc.) has expanded to include the Carteret County Library system – the Bogue Banks branch in particular; the PKS Women’s Club; – and a special partnership with the team of EMS/Fire Chief Bowden.

• COSA will provide ‘sneakers on the ground’ to Chief Bowden’s team to aid the establishment of a community paramedic program specific to PKS. COSA will help link our senior population with PKS EMS/paramedics who would bridge the gap between local health care providers and residents.
  ◦ As part of this program, COSA will create and maintain a listing of vulnerable PKS residents – those who live alone and those who have serious medical issues. These individuals will be by EMS personnel during emergency situations – especially those requiring evacuation.
  ◦ Implementation of the program depends on approval of additional EMS personnel. Chief Bowden will keep us informed of the timetable he is working with. Gaby Bysheim and Sheena Stephens have been identified as our EMS liaisons.

THANKS to ALL! YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
Listen. Learn. Connect

MINUTES – PKS COUNCIL ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
February 10 ,2026 – 10:30 a.m. Town Hall
Our vision: To expand the discussion of ways we can positively impact Pine Knoll Shores’ quality of life for our senior citizens and help each cope with issues that pose barriers to living comfortably in
Pine Knoll Shores and aging in place

Our February meeting was a special, interactive panel discussion format
focused on our Neighbors who are Caregivers

Continuing our focus on caregiving and dementia, a round table discussion was held with three individuals in our community who are living the challenges of caregiving. The discussion was led by Linda Langheld, an experienced and trusted facilitator in this field.
Three local residents – John Clarke, Steve Felch, and Shari Malone – each have directly dealt with the realities of caring for family members who cannot function without their help – accepted our invitation to tell their stories. The Council on Successful Aging (COSA) wanted residents to experience a powerful, personal conversation about caregiving in our in our community to open a dialogue around the challenges, and build awareness of the resilience and the compassion that caregiving requires each day. Every story is different and every solution complex.
Why was this an important experience?

• Caregiving touches almost all of us.  Even if you aren’t a caregiver today, chances are you will be – or you already support someone who is.
  ◦ According to a 2025 summary report of the US by AARP, care recipients themselves are mostly older adults; nearly half are age 75 or older. Most of these older adults face multiple chronic health conditions.
  ◦ The average caregiver is 51 years old.
  ◦ Women still account for the majority of caregivers (61 percent).
  ◦ In 2025, 63 million American adults provided ongoing care to adults or children with a medical condition or disability—representing almost one-quarter of all adults in the United States. This is a dramatic increase of 45 percent. As our nation ages, these numbers will continue to grow.

2.  Knowing where – and when – to turn matters.
3.  Understanding builds compassion. Discussion helps to build understanding and compassion for those involved with caregiving and those who depend on it. As a neighbor-helping-neighbor network, individuals may be able to pool resources across households to fill some gaps in care and understanding.
Caregiving has become longer term and more intensive:

• Thirty percent of caregivers provided care for five or more years, a significant increase from 2020. On average, caregivers spend 27 hours per week providing care, and 24 percent provide 40 or more hours per week.
• Two-thirds of caregivers help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL) like bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, and mobility. Since 2020, more caregivers are providing some ADL assistance, and more caregivers are providing help with multiple ADLs. For many, these tasks are physically difficult—23 percent report struggling with these duties.
  The video of this session is on our YouTube channel and will be on our website.
  We hope this marks the beginning of continuing conversations.

Old Business:

I. Introduced Andrew Geddes, a Physical Therapist working at Peak Performance Sports & Physical Therapy in Morehead City, has offered to share techniques to restore function and improve movement, and ways stability and confidence in movement can be improved. We will review calendars to find dates to bring Andrew back for these demonstrations.

II. Get closure on the direction of the ideas previously discussed.

• Time Banking: presented by Kathy Driver
  Kathy will write up an introduction for Facebook introducing the concept and seeking an individual willing to partner with Kathy getting this established. Is this a go/no-go idea? What next steps should we pursue? Who will lead this initiative?

II. New Business: I am suggesting a different approach for our meetings going forward. Your time, interest, and commitment are very valuable and I would like to make sure you get something of value every time we are together. Keeping our vision statement in mind, let us know if you are interested in any of these ideas, and please add to the list:
◦ Carteret County Bridge Club is willing to teach people to play. We could do a demo at one of our meetings.
◦ The Crystal Coast County Club offers bridge and mahjong on alternate Tuesdays for those interested. You do not have to be a Club member. Donations are appreciation.
◦ We can invite police/fire/EMS to present safety protocols/recommendations in an emergency situation.
◦ A new floor Yoga class is being held at St. Francis on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Call for details: (252) 240-2388

THANKS to ALL! YOU ARE IMPORTANT!

LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT NEW YEAR!

Listen. Learn. Connect

AGENDA – PKS COUNCIL ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
January 13,2026 – 10:30 a.m. Town Hall
Our vision: To expand the discussion of ways we can positively impact Pine Knoll Shores’ quality of life for our senior citizens and help each cope with issues that pose barriers to living comfortably in
Pine Knoll Shores and aging in place

I’d like to focus on three objectives for this meeting:

I. Introducing Andrew Geddes. He is a Physical Therapist in Morehead City. His parents live in PKS and he is hoping to assist the community with medical services.

II. Old Business: Get closure on the direction of the ideas previously discussed. I’m looking for any additional comments, as well as firm decision to pursue or not for each option. If we agree to go forward with any/all options, I’m looking for someone to lead the development of the idea. You get your pick of folks to work with to make the ideas a reality.

• Time Banking: presented by Kathy Driver
  Is this a go/no-go idea? What next steps should we pursue? Who will lead this initiative?
• Two ideas have been under discussion following the caregiving and dementia forums:
• We can host a round table discussion around caregiving and dementia with several local ‘experts’ and invite the community to establish the need, importance, and feasibility of implementing an approach to caregiving and dementia for resident families.
• We can also consider hosting a round table discussion with those in our community that are living with the challenges of caregiving. As a neighbor-helping neighbor network, it may be possible to pool resources across households to fill some gaps in care.
  For each option: John Macheca has taken the lead to speak to Sarah Bedard to guide us on one or both of these options.

III. New Business: I am suggesting a different approach for our meetings going forward. Your time, interest, and commitment are very valuable and I would like to make sure you get something of value every time we are together. Keeping our vision statement in mind, I have some ideas I’d like to share with you and I would like your help in determining what that ‘something’ is for you.

THANKS to ALL! YOU ARE IMPORTANT!

LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT NEW YEAR!

NOTE: The annual retreat is scheduled for February 19th and 20th at the Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel beginning at 9 a.m. on both days

AGENDA – PKS COUNCIL ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
December 9, 2025 – 10:30 a.m. Town Hall

Our vision: To expand the discussion of ways we can positively impact Pine Knoll Shores’ quality of life for our senior citizens and help each cope with issues that pose barriers to living comfortably in Pine Knoll Shores and aging in place
Our November meeting in October was held at Nacho’s Restaurant given Town Hall was closed.
Our time together included lunch and brief discussion of the topics below. More details on each item can be found in the minutes of that meeting mailed out November 25th. In this meeting on the 9th of December, I’m looking for any additional comments as well as firm decision to pursue or not for each option. If we agree to go forward with any/all options, I’m looking for someone to lead the development of the idea. You get your pick of folks to work with to make the ideas a reality.
• Time Banking: Kathy Driver
Kathy Driver reviewed the basics of a Time Banking program drawing on her experiences/conversations
with others involved in time banking. Kathy will fill in any details she has learned about the
implementation of the program since our last meeting.

Is this a go/no-go idea? What next steps should we pursue? Who will lead this initiative?

• Two ideas have been under discussion following the caregiving and dementia forums:

1. We can host a round table discussion around caregiving and dementia with several local ‘experts’ and invite the community to establish the need, importance, and feasibility of implementing an approach to caregiving and dementia for resident families.
2. We can also consider hosting a round table discussion with those in our community that are living with the challenges of caregiving. As a neighbor-helping neighbor network, it may be possible to pool resources across households to fill some gaps in care.

For each option: John Macheca has taken the lead to speak to Sarah Bedard to guide us on one or both of these options. Sarah is a well-respected and well connected PA working in Carteret County. With her knowledge and connections, we can evaluate the feasibility of moving forward on these fronts with these exploratory group discussions:

◦ Is the idea of a discussion group with local experts a go/no-go idea? What next steps should we pursue? Who wants to lead this initiative?
◦ Is the idea of a discussion group caregivers a go/no-go idea? What next steps should we pursue? Who wants to lead this initiative?

• The 2026 calendar of meeting dates is available; It is also posted on our website: pkscouncilonaging.com

THANKS to ALL! YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

THE DECEMBER 9TH MEETING WAS NOT HELD DUE TO ILLNESS

AGENDA – PKS COUNCIL ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
November 11, 2025 – 11:30 a.m. Nacho’s Restaurant

Our vision: To expand the discussion of ways we can positively impact Pine Knoll Shores’ quality of life for our senior citizens and help each cope with issues that pose barriers to living comfortably in Pine Knoll Shores and aging in place

Call to Order
Cindy Schersching

Our November meeting will be held at Nacho’s Restaurant given Town Hall is closed for Veterans Day.
In addition to having lunch together, we will briefly review these current topics:

• Time Banking: Kathy Driver
  Kathy Driver will present the basics of a Time Banking program drawing on her experiences/conversations with others involved in time banking. She identified a highly successful type of time bank – hOurworld – that operates on a free platform using Open Innovation software. This group includes a startup in Morehead City called Carteret County TimeBank. This can be a good resource for us.

With the information Kathy continues to gather, we will determine next steps should we want to pursue. This step should identify a way to obtain input and interest levels from the community for this program.

• Update us on the activities of the ECC (Eastern Carolina Coalition): Kathy Driver is our representative to this group. The Eastern Carolina Council (ECC) is a multi-county, local government, planning and development organization. 
• Do we/how do we want to follow up on the ideas that emerged from the caregiving and dementia forums?

1. We can host a round table discussion around caregiving and dementia with several local ‘experts’ and invite the community.
2. Consider hosting a round table discussion with those in our community that are living with the challenges of caregiving.

• Applications to exercise facilites at the the Summer West condo association was announced. For a modest fee the facilites are open to Pine Knoll Shores residents during the winter months. The application is attached.
• Please note the date and place of our next Forum: On December 4th,
  This forum will be held in the Parish Hall at St. Francis by the Sea on December 4th . All iInterested individauls are welcomed to attend.
  The topic is Medicare
  NOTE: THIS FORUM WAS NOT HELD
  THANKS to ALL!

AGENDA – PKS COUNCIL ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
October 14, 2025 – 10:30 a.m. Town Hall

Our vision: To expand the discussion of ways we can positively impact Pine Knoll Shores’ quality of life for our senior citizens and help each cope with issues that pose barriers to living comfortably in Pine Knoll Shores and aging in place

Call to Order
Cindy Schersching

We did not have a quorum at this meeting. We did have a good discussion about the group in general and touched on some potential plans.

This agenda will be reviewed at the November meeting:

On-going Business Discussions and Decisions:

• Time Banking: Kathy Driver
  A variation of the service people listing that could be useful is the establishment of a “Time Bank.” With this design participants offer a service to the community and the estimated time it takes to perform it; the service + time are banked and can be exchanged for a service they need, e.g., baking a pie might bank 1.5 hours which can be used toward 1.5 hours of power washing. This is a useful tool for community engagement and resilience.

Our link to Time Banking is Kathy Driver who will share her experiences/conversations re:
Software packages available to facilitate this; suggested organizational structure to ensure success; a ‘starter list’ of services to be offered; estimates of the value of variety of services; promotion of program (YouTube); coordinating with PKA to broaden services, etc.

• Gathering Places: John Macheca

Our September 2025 meeting was held at Nacho’s restaurant. Thoughts, comments? Do we want to develop Nacho’s as a COSA gathering place – Review of experience: Do we want to go back to Nacho’s? What did we like most? What would we change?

Do we want to do more of these get togethers at different restaurants? Next steps?

Update on the COSA survey:

• The COSA survey launched at the end of the…just before or just after Labor Day. No names were required. The unique sampling approach – EDDM – gave (nearly) every resident an opportunity to participate. Data will be run on a base of individual responses and on households.

I’m taking a first look at the COSA survey results. About 20% (~250 interviews) responded. Currently I’m focused on evaluating the integrity of the data (i.e., representativity) of the data. Then I will look at the actual responses in detail. Kirsty and Missy have been a great help.

Group Discussion:

• What do we want to accomplish as a group? We have a vision/mission statement. Our vision follows from the Town’s vision/mission statement.

New Business:

• A job opportunity with the History Place awaits a senior with the right qualifications. See me if you are interested.

THANKS to ALL!

AGENDA – PKS COUNCIL ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
August 12, 2025 – 10:30 a.m. Town Hall

Our vision: To expand the discussion of ways we can positively impact Pine Knoll Shores’ quality of life for our senior citizens and help each cope with issues that pose barriers to living comfortably in Pine Knoll Shores and aging in place

Call to Order
Cindy Schersching

On-going Business Discussions and Decisions:

•Time Banking: Kathy Driver

A variation of the service people listing that could be useful is the establishment of a “Time Bank.” With this design participants offer a service to the community and the estimated time it takes to perform it; the service + time are banked and can be exchanged for a service they need, e.g., baking a pie might bank 1.5 hours which can be used toward 1.5 hours of power washing.

There are software packages available to facilitate this – Kathy Driver will share her experiences.

Gathering Place: John Macheca. Developing Nacho’s restaurant as a COSA gathering place

Do we/how do we want to follow up on the ideas that emerged from the caregiving and dementia forums?

1. We can host a round table discussion around caregiving and dementia with several local ‘experts’ and invite the community. Our goal would be to make us more knowledgeable care givers and what can be done to expand the network of resources and explore ways to strengthen ties with available caregiving/hospital resources.
2. Consider hosting a round table discussion with those in our community that are living with the challenges of caregiving. As a neighbor-helping neighbor network, it may be possible to pool resources across households to fill some gaps in care.
   Do we want to move forward with one/both ideas? Who do we invite to participate in the discussion? Include key hospital personnel?

Announcements:
• CHAIR YOGA – New time: Thursday mornings 9 am with Sasha McClure at PKS Town Hall, Betty Carr room.
• The launch of the COSA survey is targeting the end of the summer…just before or just after Labor Day. Be looking for it. Encourage your neighbors to participate. No names required.
• Grief support groups for those suffering from the loss of a loved one are offered at the Hospice House on the first Tuesdays at 5 pm and 3rd Thursdays at 10 am.
• Anyone interested in becoming a Hospice volunteer should call Dawn Roell at 1-800-926-4442 or 252-550-0795; email: [email protected] or visit the website at www.3hc.org

THANKS to ALL!