Community Matters Aberdeen Heights
November August 2014 2014
Lifestyle changes key to Alzheimer’s prevention We now have a prescription that researchers think can delay or prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not a pill, it’s a list of lifestyle choices. Results from a landmark study announced this summer show that having a healthy lifestyle may be the key. “It’s the first time we have been able to give people a kind of recipe for what is useful,” said Maria Carrillo, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association. More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Millions more will likely develop dementia as the baby boomers age. In the study, researchers looked at 1,260 people in Finland from 60 to 77 years old, who were at risk for Alzheimer’s. One group went on a lifestyle improvement program and the other group received general health advice. The results were dramatic. The lifestyle program included: Eat well: Start by adding fruits and vegetables to your regular diet. Ease out fats and fried foods, and always choose whole grains rather than highly refined bakery products. BRAIN, continued on page 4 BRAIN, continued on page 4
A rededication ceremony for the Marine Hospital cornerstone.
Marine Hospital Cornerstone rededicated to community Aberdeen Heights rededicated the original Marine Hospital cornerstone to the community of Kirkwood and to God on Sept. 24. Seventy-five years ago, the U.S. Marine Hospital in St. Louis moved from near the bank of the Mississippi River to Kirkwood. The cornerstone is from that original hospital, which opened on our grounds in 1939. Because Marine hospitals were the forerunners to the VA hospitals we have today and part of the U.S. Public Health Service, two officers CORNERSTONE, continued on page 2
A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
Trim a tree, family style New program brings holiday spirit Join us during the first week in December as we gather to kickoff the season by decorating a Christmas tree in the multipurpose room. We’ll sing Christmas carols as Pat Treacy accompanies us on the piano. When the tree is finished, we’ll turn down the lights and have a countdown before we make the magic happen by switching on the lights. We’ll serve eggnog and treats, and Lifestyle Coordinator Vicky Weibel will share interesting tales of Christmas traditions along with special ornaments to go along with these stories.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet sing “SanctiYoseph.” CORNERSTONE, continued from page 1
from that branch honored us with an official-flag raising ceremony as “The Star Spangled Banner” was played on the trumpet. The ceremony included proclamations from Kirkwood Mayor Art McDonnell and state Rep. Rick Stream. The dedication was read by four Aberdeen Heights residents who worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Naomi Dill, physicians Rudy Catanzaro and Charlie Nigh, and Sister Anne Kelly. The Marine hospital had been sold to the Sisters of St. Joseph, which operated St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood for 55 years before merging into the SSM system to become SSM St. Joseph Hospital. After the luncheon, Sister Anne and some of the other Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet sang “Sancti Yoseph” as a blessing for St. Joseph to be with the Aberdeen Heights family.
Community Matters
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is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org.
Guests of honor at the Girlfriend’s Project Baby Shower.
Marty Schenk, interim executive director
Residents help host Girlfriend’s Project Baby Shower
To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Vicky Weibel, resident lifestyle coordinator, at vweibel@pmma.org.
Aberdeen Heights residents recently partnered with American Legion Women’s Post 404 to host the Girlfriend’s Project Baby Shower, which benefits veterans. This group of women is one of three all-female posts in Missouri.
Telephone: 314-909-6000 Address: 575 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122
The new moms were supplied with basic baby items and car seats for their future bundles of joy.
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
“We’d like to express our thanks to Aberdeen Heights for providing the delicious lunch for the mothers and their families, and all the wonderful donations that came from the Aberdeen Heights residents. These women have served our country, and this is our small way of giving back to them for their sacrifices,” said Julie Bauer, Girlfriend’s Project leader.
Monthly devotion: Life’s many transitions By Mary Newbern-Williams, Aberdeen Heights chaplain
Grief forum Dec. 10
In his well-known book, “Good Grief,” Granger Westberg shares much about the grief process and how people adjust to losses of all kinds. One experiences grief in many ways, not solely when a loved one dies. Grief occurs when there is a loss of any kind that affects our Mary Newbernlifestyle or our life activities. Grief can Williams occur when one moves to a new home and adjusts to new surroundings while missing the old place. Grief can take place when one loses a job and has to search for other employment. People can face grief when a pet dies or runs away, or even when a child becomes of age to move to his or her own dwelling. Adjustment to something different, or what is often called a “new normal” way of life means that we say goodbye to what we have known and earn to accept and to embrace another way of existing.
Please plan to be present Dec. 10 for a forum that addresses grief and its effects. We will explore this reality of dealing with loss and how to move beyond the situation to live the remainder of our own lives in celebration of God’s goodness to all of us. Our lives are richer for having experienced the presence of our loved ones. God has gifted us with the loved ones with whom we have lived and loved. The gospel of John fleshes out God’s ultimate gift to the world in Jesus Christ, and that the gift of Christ was and is the gift that brought us eternal life. Let us live in the reality that God “so loved the world that God gave God’s only Son; so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John, 3:16, NRSV). As finite human beings, we do not enter this life to remain in it forever, but we do enter this life to live it to the fullest and to live in celebration of God’s love for humanity in Jesus Christ. We are here for a season; let us make that time be beneficial to our families and to the world.
The Life Transitions Team for Aberdeen Heights meets regularly to address and focus on residents and employees who lose loved ones and who adjust to a move from a home they have known to Aberdeen Heights. That move represents a new lifestyle and a new life. It can be a difficult adjustment. However, we are all in this life and this work together; we are committed to caring with and for each other. Therefore, we work together to take steps that will result in celebrating and respecting the life of a loved one, comforting each other, and helping to see each other through difficult times.
Join us • Mondays, worship, 1:30 p.m., multipurpose room • Wednesdays, worship and hymn sing, 10:30 a.m. Memory Care • Wednesdays, worship and Bible study, 1 p.m., assisted living • Thursdays, Bible study, 9:30 a.m., arts and crafts room
Memorial Service Nov. 1
• Thursdays, worship and hymn sing, 11 a.m., The Glen
On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Life Transitions Team will sponsor a Memorial Service from 1 to 3 p.m. in the multipurpose room.
The Prayer and Meditation Room is available for your convenience as you read spiritual writings and reflect upon God’s goodness to you.
Aberdeen Heights honors all veterans We appreciate the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Our Veterans Day activities: • Viewing of “D-Day” at the Omnimax (Science Center). Depart from Aberdeen at 12:15 p.m. • A special dedication to veterans
from Vicky Weibel at 2 p.m. in the multipurpose room • Special program by students at Robinson Elementary (just a block away) at 3:30 p.m. • Evening musical tribute by Gentleman of Sound. 3
New decade, new locations, new services This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life.
The 1980s brought growth in independent living options on many Presbyterian Manor campuses. New duplexes and apartments were constructed in Parsons, Lawrence, Wichita and Salina. It also brought construction of two new campuses and health care additions at the Wichita and Rolla campuses.
The first scholarships were given in 1981. Those funds served as seed for today’s Employee Education Assistance Grants.
Consideration of additional campuses continued through the 1980s as well. Efforts to raise funds for a Presbyterian Manor at Hays were not successful, and By early 1980, the United after thorough study, the board Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas’ authorized sale of the property in joint project with the Manhattan June 1980. The next year, a group Retirement Foundation was open. of citizens in Emporia petitioned PMMA continued to provide for construction of a campus in that management services for the new community, and a period of study Meadowlark Hills until July 1, 1981. and fundraising began. Additional campuses in Missouri also were Salina Presbyterian Manor opened considered in Jefferson City and its doors in February 1980, Springfield. and work started on additional apartments almost immediately. The PMMA board voted to sell In addition to the expansion of Mid-Continent Presbyterian the physical plant, two important Manor, a campus formerly operated programs of PMMA began in 1980. by the Board of Pensions of the Residents, staff and advisory board Presbyterian Church of the United members were invited to submit art States. Residents of the campus, and poetry for potential inclusion in located in Kansas City, Mo., were the inaugural Art is Ageless calendar. given the option of moving to the Kansas City, Kan., campus. The sale A donor’s $10,000 gift established was completed in 1983. the Education Fund for PMMA employees, residents and trustees. New services and new needs also
From left, Salina Mayor Karen Graves, Milton Morrison and Harry Steele.
The newly constructed six-story independent living apartment building at Salina Presbyterian Manor.
were explored. With the support of the Synod of Mid-America, PMMA worked to establish a campus for severely physically handicapped adults in Hutchinson. Home health care for residents living independently on PMMA campuses was started in 1984. Piloted in Salina, the service was expanded to other campuses before the end of the year.
reading, pursuing a hobby, playing a musical instrument Move more: “We shouldn’t just be encouraging people or singing. Having a purpose involves brain flexing, as well. For this, you can set goals and follow through or to exercise, we should discourage them from being solve a problem, for example. sedentary,” one researcher said. Researchers found that moderate activity such as chores and walking – not just Social interaction: Social relationships foster high-intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or support, and this connectedness, as we grow older, biking – can protect the thinking process. Taking a walk is critical to our wellness. When we converse, our after dinner is an excellent habit. Always consult your brains are busy dealing with the activities of listening, physician before beginning an exercise program. observing, understanding and conversing.You can Brain games: Two excellent ways to train your brain is combine some of these activities for added impact, such to flex it and have a purpose. Things you can do on your as playing cards, joining an exercise class, participating own include working a crossword puzzle or jumble, in a book club and attending a lecture. BRAIN, continued from page 1
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Community Matters The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
November 2014
Lifestyle changes key to Alzheimer’s prevention We now have a prescription that researchers think can delay or prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not a pill, it’s a list of lifestyle choices. Results from a landmark study announced this summer show that having a healthy lifestyle may be the key. “It’s the first time we have been able to give people a kind of recipe for what is useful,” said Maria Carrillo, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association. More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Millions more will likely develop dementia as the baby boomers age. In the study, researchers looked at 1,260 people in Finland from 60 to 77 years old, who were at risk for Alzheimer’s. One group went on a lifestyle improvement program and the other group received general health advice. The results were dramatic. The lifestyle program included: Eat well: Start by adding fruits and vegetables to your regular diet. Ease out fats and fried foods, and always choose whole grains rather than highly refined bakery products. BRAIN, continued on page 4
A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
Fantastic Fall Festival Cooler weather didn’t keep residents, families and employees from enjoying The Glen’s Fall Festival. Even our neighborhood firefighters came by for brats on the grill. A huge thank you to everyone who helped with this fun and memorable event.
Veterans of The Glen Ken Berry
Marines, 1943-1946, aircraft carrier, staff sergeant
Leyton Broughton Army, 1952-1957, paratrooper, sergeant
Wilmer Buck
Plan to attend Robinson Elementary School has invited us to attend the students’ Veterans Assembly on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 9:15 a.m. If you would like to attend, please call Loretta at 314-9096059.
Army, 1940-1965 plus two years’ reserve duty, Corp of Engineers, lieutenant colonel
Don Cairns Army, 1942-1946, bronze star, bridge designer, master sergeant
Steve Chalmers Coast Guard, 1952-1955, personnel yeoman for Cape Cod
Paul Cherry Army, 1941-1946, battalion operations sergeant
Richard Connerly Air Force, 1943-1946, weather man
Jack Goessling Marines, sea-going 1944-1946; re-enlisted in the 1950s and went to Korea
Bob Kane Army, 1942-1945, sergeant
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Marty Schenk, interim executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Loretta Cutler, health care lifestyle coordinator, lcutler@pmma.org. Telephone: 314-909-6010 Address: 505 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Ed Kelly Army, 1941-1943, fought on the front lines in France
Joe McKinney Navy, Korean War
Jack O’Leary Air Force, 1950-1952, assistant to commanding officer, trained pilots in Korea
Clifford Schmid Navy Reserves, 1953-1955, communications watch officer
Anthony Suba Army, 1959-1961, physician
R. B. Thomas Army, 1944-1947, administrative
Otto Tucker Army, 1941-1947, Air Corps, flight school instructor
Jerry Umlauf Navy, 1944-1946, motor man
Bob Wiemer Air Force, 1942 2
Monthly devotion: Life’s many transitions By Mary Newbern-Williams, Aberdeen Heights chaplain
In his well-known book, “Good Grief,” Granger Westberg shares much about the grief process and how people adjust to losses of all kinds. One experiences grief in many ways, not solely when a loved one dies. Grief occurs when there is a loss of any kind that affects our Mary Newbernlifestyle or our life activities. Grief can Williams occur when one moves to a new home and adjusts to new surroundings while missing the old place. Grief can take place when one loses a job and has to search for other employment. People can face grief when a pet dies or runs away, or even when a child becomes of age to move to his or her own dwelling. Adjustment to something different, or what is often called a “new normal” way of life means that we say goodbye to what we have known and earn to accept and to embrace another way of existing. The Life Transitions Team for Aberdeen Heights meets regularly to address and focus on residents and employees who lose loved ones and who adjust to a move from a home they have known to Aberdeen Heights. That move represents a new lifestyle and a new life. It can be a difficult adjustment. However, we are all in this life and this work together; we are committed to caring with and for each other. Therefore, we work together to take steps that will result in celebrating and respecting the life of a loved one, comforting each other, and helping to see each other through difficult times.
us eternal life. Let us live in the reality that God “so loved the world that God gave God’s only Son; so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John, 3:16, NRSV). As finite human beings, we do not enter this life to remain in it forever, but we do enter this life to live it to the fullest and to live in celebration of God’s love for humanity in Jesus Christ. We are here for a season; let us make that time be beneficial to our families and to the world. Join us • Mondays, worship, 1:30 p.m., multipurpose room • Wednesdays, worship and hymn sing, 10:30 a.m. Memory Care • Wednesdays, worship and Bible study, 1 p.m., assisted living • Thursdays, Bible study, 9:30 a.m., arts and crafts room • Thursdays, worship and hymn sing, 11 a.m., The Glen The Prayer and Meditation Room is available for your convenience as you read spiritual writings and reflect upon God’s goodness to you.
Memorial Service Nov. 1 On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Life Transitions Team will sponsor a Memorial Service from 1 to 3 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Grief forum Dec. 10 Please plan to be present Dec. 10 for a forum that addresses grief and its effects. We will explore this reality of dealing with loss and how to move beyond the situation to live the remainder of our own lives in celebration of God’s goodness to all of us. Our lives are richer for having experienced the presence of our loved ones. God has gifted us with the loved ones with whom we have lived and loved. The gospel of John fleshes out God’s ultimate gift to the world in Jesus Christ, and that the gift of Christ was and is the gift that brought
Picnic time The Glen residents enjoyed a picnic in Kirkwood in late summer. The outing included assisted living, memory care and health center residents and employees. Chicken from KFC was a huge hit!
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New decade, new locations, new services This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life.
The 1980s brought growth in independent living options on many Presbyterian Manor campuses. New duplexes and apartments were constructed in Parsons, Lawrence, Wichita and Salina. It also brought construction of two new campuses and health care additions at the Wichita and Rolla campuses.
The first scholarships were given in 1981. Those funds served as seed for today’s Employee Education Assistance Grants.
Consideration of additional campuses continued through the 1980s as well. Efforts to raise funds for a Presbyterian Manor at Hays were not successful, and By early 1980, the United after thorough study, the board Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas’ authorized sale of the property in joint project with the Manhattan June 1980. The next year, a group Retirement Foundation was open. of citizens in Emporia petitioned PMMA continued to provide for construction of a campus in that management services for the new community, and a period of study Meadowlark Hills until July 1, 1981. and fundraising began. Additional campuses in Missouri also were Salina Presbyterian Manor opened considered in Jefferson City and its doors in February 1980, Springfield. and work started on additional apartments almost immediately. The PMMA board voted to sell In addition to the expansion of Mid-Continent Presbyterian the physical plant, two important Manor, a campus formerly operated programs of PMMA began in 1980. by the Board of Pensions of the Residents, staff and advisory board Presbyterian Church of the United members were invited to submit art States. Residents of the campus, and poetry for potential inclusion in located in Kansas City, Mo., were the inaugural Art is Ageless calendar. given the option of moving to the Kansas City, Kan., campus. The sale A donor’s $10,000 gift established was completed in 1983. the Education Fund for PMMA employees, residents and trustees. New services and new needs also
From left, Salina Mayor Karen Graves, Milton Morrison and Harry Steele.
The newly constructed six-story independent living apartment building at Salina Presbyterian Manor.
were explored. With the support of the Synod of Mid-America, PMMA worked to establish a campus for severely physically handicapped adults in Hutchinson. Home health care for residents living independently on PMMA campuses was started in 1984. Piloted in Salina, the service was expanded to other campuses before the end of the year.
reading, pursuing a hobby, playing a musical instrument Move more: “We shouldn’t just be encouraging people or singing. Having a purpose involves brain flexing, as well. For this, you can set goals and follow through or to exercise, we should discourage them from being solve a problem, for example. sedentary,” one researcher said. Researchers found that moderate activity such as chores and walking – not just Social interaction: Social relationships foster high-intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or support, and this connectedness, as we grow older, biking – can protect the thinking process. Taking a walk is critical to our wellness. When we converse, our after dinner is an excellent habit. Always consult your brains are busy dealing with the activities of listening, physician before beginning an exercise program. observing, understanding and conversing.You can Brain games: Two excellent ways to train your brain is combine some of these activities for added impact, such to flex it and have a purpose. Things you can do on your as playing cards, joining an exercise class, participating own include working a crossword puzzle or jumble, in a book club and attending a lecture. BRAIN, continued from page 1
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