Meet Shaquelle
Shaquelle Thomas is a shining example of the incredibly well-rounded, intelligent, and caring people that work at Delmanor. Professionally speaking, she is a registered kinesiologist, wellness speaker, coach, and living well coordinator.
In her role as a kinesiologist, Shaquelle created her own, very successful, program to work one-on-one with the residents at Delmanor, with the goal to maintain independence and reduce pain points. She conducts personal training, gives individual sessions in the pool, and provides soft tissue release for residents who are experiencing pain from surgery or arthritis.
Outside of work, she loves reading, has been part of a run club for over a year, enjoys powerlifting and tennis, and is an active member in her church.
For the past five years, Shaquelle has also owned and operated an online coaching business for women. Her aim is to help women feel confident in their bodies by regaining strength, metabolic health, and wellness.
If that wasn’t enough, Shaquelle has written a book which focuses on how to prevent a prediabetes diagnosis from becoming type 2 diabetes.
Gentle Persuasive Training (GPA)
Gentle Persuasive Training (GPA) is a person-focused approach to dealing with older adults who are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. This approach gives health care workers tips on how to stay safe and also teaches the most appropriate way to deal with people suffering from memory loss.
As a GPA coach, Shaquelle is responsible for visiting different Delmanor locations and training employees to use this approach. The course that she leads is an eight-hour, in-depth session that teaches Delmanor employees to relate to the residents better, and helps them approach each situation with a higher level of understanding and empathy.
Changing Opinions on Exercise and Practitioners One Resident at A Time
Shaquelle has had many successes in her work at Delmanor, but one of the ones she is most proud of started in her first week on the job. She was working with a client who was struggling with a lot of knee and hip pain. He generally didn’t like people, wasn’t keen on exercise, and didn’t trust practitioners. He couldn’t walk more than a few steps without immense pain.
Over time, and through repeated sessions, Shaquelle managed to bring him to a place where he could walk more comfortably, had improved posture, and developed a new and positive relationship with exercise.
Perhaps most significantly, thanks to Shaquelle, his trust in health care practitioners returned.
Fear of Water to Recreational Swimmer
Another shining success was when Shaquelle worked with 80-year-old resident, Bill. He had never learned to swim and wasn’t comfortable in water. However, he wanted to go to the cottage this summer and be able to get in the water with his son. So, he came to Shaquelle for swimming lessons.
She started him slow, by having him walk around the pool. Soon, that turned into doing basic swim strokes such as front crawl or breaststroke. Now he is comfortable in the water; he can float, swim, put his head under, and even do spins.
Certified Zumba Instructor
What does Shaquelle do when she wants to step outside her comfort zone and do something completely different?
Not only does she try it, she becomes a certified instructor.
This is how Shaquelle became Delmanor’s certified Zumba instructor, hosting regular classes for residents, as well as monthly sessions for employees.
Final Thoughts
Shaquelle is a powerhouse within Delmanor. She is an incredible woman, mentor, friend, and coach to both the residents and employees. Shaquelle sees a challenge and she runs straight towards it, arms open, ready to conquer it.
She is truly an inspiring woman.
If you want to check out her book or podcast, the links are below.
Book: Motion is Medicine: Your Prediabetes Reversal Blueprint
Podcast: If The Jeans Fit: Learn To Love The Woman In the Mirror
