Community Matters The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
April 2016
Art is Ageless exhibit, reception features local senior artists Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity. Some have resumed art after putting it aside for a career, others have been creating beautiful pieces throughout their lives, and others never picked up a brush until after they retired, but all are now expressing themselves through art. This month, their works are on display at Aberdeen Heights. “It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Bethany Holohan, Art is Ageless exhibit coordinator. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Kirkwood community.”
Therapy dog credited for starting Volunteer Opportunities Program The first volunteer to frequent the halls of the newly constructed Glen at Aberdeen Heights was a fuzzy, black and white friend with four feet. Angie, a trained and certified therapy dog, was seen walking with her owner by Loretta Cutler, The Glen lifestyle coordinator. Loretta, always looking for ways to brighten her residents’ days, invited Angie to visit The Glen. Since that early visit in April 2012, Angie, accompanied by her owner/ handler, has logged more than 100 hours of volunteer time with residents in assisted living, memory care and the health center. Always excited to go, Angie brings “tail wags and puppy licks” to her friends. In turn, she generates lots of smiles and receives many loving strokes. Angie’s therapy work is legendary. Many precious stories can be told about her positive effects when she visits. One memory care resident had not spoken to his family and caregivers for months. He had seen Angie several
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A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
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Take care of business at health care planning event National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) is on April 16 this year, so we are having our event on April 15 (Friday) beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room. The event, “Planning for your Future,” is sponsored by a home health company offering free blood pressure screenings before and after the speaker, as well as coffee/cookies and an attendance prize. Our speaker is Brigid Fernandez, an elder law attorney/LCSW (social worker). She will put on a 45-minute presentation addressing the importance of having an advanced directive and health care power of attorney. She will go over how to fill out Missouri Bar Advance Directive forms and Healthcare Power of Attorney forms as well as have them available for people to fill out or take with them. Brigid is a notary as well. Both residents and their families are invited to come.
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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. James “Jamie” Kneen, 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.
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Community Matters April 2016
The Art is Ageless exhibit will feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including several Aberdeen Heights residents. The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of acrylics, oils, photography and various other mediums, ranging from amateur to professional levels. The exhibit is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 10 and 11. In addition to the exhibit, Aberdeen Village will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 4 p.m. May 12. The Art is Ageless program has been encouraging creativity in seniors for more than 35 years, and is sponsored by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA), which is a nonprofit organization that owns and operates 18 senior living communities in Missouri and Kansas. Each year the organization publishes an Art is Ageless calendar, featuring works by amateur senior artists. Proceeds from the sale of calendars are reinvested into new art programs and opportunities for PMMA residents. Like us on Facebook
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times but had never responded. One day she approached his wheelchair, sat close to his right leg and looked directly into his eyes. His eyes met hers, and they sat looking at one another for several minutes. Then a tear trickled down his cheek as he reached to pet Angie’s head. With much effort and deep sincerity he mouthed the words “good dog.” When Angie made her rounds to say good-bye to each resident that day, her once-silent new friend repeated “good dog” and mouthed “thank you” to her owner. After several months of Angie’s much anticipated, personal visits, it was apparent Glen residents were enjoying volunteer interaction during their day. More time and participation would be welcomed. In September 2012, three independent living volunteers, working with Loretta and other Glen staff, proposed a Volunteer Opportunities program. The goal: to promote neighborliness by involving independent living residents in meaningful volunteer activities with Glen residents. Volunteers were invited to participate by signing a form listing one of 10 ways they would be willing to contribute their time and talents. Once participants’ interests and available days were tabulated, lists were made of volunteers for each of the ten suggested activities. Loretta was responsible for group orientation, then individual assignments. Response was overwhelming! Starting with one volunteer calling Bingo, within two years there were over 60 volunteers in the program. Activities include one-on-one conversation, reading, writing, games, gardening, wheelchair assistance, music, Like us on Facebook
daily needs cart, mail delivery and travelogues. Each day volunteers visit the Glen to bring cheer to their neighbors. As of Dec. 31, 2015, 2,903 hours of volunteer time have been donated to the Glen.
honor to the APA of Missouri. Angie also has the pleasure of visiting twice a week at a local elementary school library where she listens attentively to the children who read aloud to her.
Angie continues her volunteer work as a “Pet Reach Pup” for the Animal Protective Association of Missouri. She visits five other residential care facilities as well as the Glen. To celebrate her seventh birthday, Glen residents gave Angie a surprise party complete with birthday treats, decorations, music and presents. They also sent a donation in her
Who would have thought that the fuzzy, black and white, four-footed therapy dog, Angie, the first Glen volunteer, would encourage the start of a very successful model Volunteer Opportunities program, a program which enriches the lives of Aberdeen Heights independent living residents as much as the lives of their Glen neighbors? The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
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Entry deadline: May 6
Upcoming events April 11: Help us celebrate our St. Louis Cardinal’s home opener. The Glen will be decked out in red and white. Staff will wear their
Exhibit: May 10-11 Cardinal shirts and the smell of hot dogs and popcorn will fill the building. April 14: We are proud to thank our volunteers for all that they do for our residents in The Glen.
Reception: May 12, 4 p.m. Volunteer Brunch will be in the assisted living dining room. Keep an eye out for the upcoming events to celebrate our residents during National Nursing Home Week May 8 to 13.
Tell us how you stay in touch! Staying in touch with your children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren often means getting used to using some new technologies. How do you use technology to keep up with your family? How has technology made life easier? How has technology kept you close to family and friends who live far away? If you’ve got a story to share about how you’re using technology, contact Health Care Lifestyle Coordinator Loretta Cutler, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters April 2016
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