PMMA’s focus turns to the future in the 1990s This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life. In 1990, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America moved into a new corporate office building in northeast Wichita, and Manor of the Plains in Dodge City opened.
was donated by American States Insurance Company. Construction began in December 1992. Jane O’Bryan was named the first administrator.
That year, the “Tradition of Caring” capital campaign also kicked off with a goal of $6.4 million. The first leg of the campaign was conducted in Emporia, where $600,000 was raised. Each campus had its own campaign to raise funds toward the $6.4 million goal. The campaigns raised funds to meet current Good Samaritan Program needs and provide a future endowment for Good Samaritan needs, assist in covering debt service and provide capital improvements at PMMA campuses.
Also in 1992, four Presbyterian Manor campuses—Wichita, Newton, Salina and Lawrence—received recognitions from the Kansas Association of Homes for the Aging. Wichita Presbyterian Manor won the Excellence in Service and the Recognition awards. The service award recognized Wichita’s ethics committee, which led to the campus working to become “restraint free” before the movement became popular around the country. Lawrence and Salina also received recognition awards, which signify high marks in the Department of Health and Environment’s annual survey of Kansas nursing facilities. Newton received the Innovation of the Year Award for the Apple-A-Day preschool, which opened in January 1992.
Local volunteers in Fort Scott, Kansas, led efforts to raise funds for a new retirement complex. The “Time to Secure the Future” campaign set out to raise $500,000 in base contributions toward the construction of a 40-unit residential complex in Fort Scott. The land
In July 1993, Dr. Mary Carman
Aberdeen Village
January 2015
HIPAA 101 A rendering of PMMA’s Fort Scott campus before construction began in 1992.
A 1992 groundbreaking ceremony for Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.
became chairperson of the PMMA board of trustees. Carman, who served on the advisory council at Newton in the 1980s, was a professional psychologist on staff at Prairie View. She was instrumental in the creation of one of the first special care units for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia at the Newton Presbyterian Manor campus.
Christmas memories The New Year has rolled over, but the memories are still vivid. Christmas Tree Lane showcased 28 trees this year, with a variety of creative themes. The money from the raffle tickets benefitted the Aberdeen Village Good Samaritan Program. The teddy bear, below, was handmade by independent living resident Esther Minter. The bear was auctioned off at the raffle drawing, with the money also going to the Good Samaritan Program. The Aberdeen Christmas train chugged through The Commons and children from ages 3 to older than 93 enjoyed the display! Lots of time, talent and treasure go into making Christmas memories so fond here at Aberdeen Village. 4
Community Matters A simple question doesn’t always have a simple answer. “Why did my friend go to the hospital?” seems to be a simple question, but the answer is blocked by a federal law. While most think of the law as the protector of medical records, privacy isn’t even in its name. We call it HIPAA (pronounced HIP-pah), but the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 also has been known as the Kassebaum-Kennedy Act or Kennedy-Kassebaum Act. Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum, R-Kan., was a leading sponsor of the bill, along with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. The official explanation is: “An Act To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.” The main intent was that the health industry would save money by computerizing paper records. That led to concerns over privacy, which led to new privacy regulations. HIPPA, continued on page 3 CEO, continued on page 4
A new year of events Fitness options, expert insights, clergy connections and more Fitness Fun Most people pick Jan. 1 to begin an exercise regimen. Assisted living resident Becky Bright started her healthy habit long before 2015 began. Becky is a regular in the fitness center at Aberdeen Village. She says her goal is to maintain her weight, yet enjoy her workout. The NuStep is a popular piece of fitness equipment. Whether it’s in the gym or participating in an exercise class, you’ll find quite a few residents, like Becky, enjoying staying fit! Just Ask On Jan. 20, you’ll have an opportunity to ask one of the experts from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services questions regarding Medicare and insurance, as open enrollment is drawing to a close. The session will begin at 2 p.m. in the Brandt Chapel and community room. Resident – Clergy Breakfast On Jan. 21, we will begin the day with a special breakfast in the Village Green. This will be an opportunity to have clergy from the different churches of our independent living residents all together in fellowship. Not everyone has the opportunity to regularly participate in their respective churches, so this will be a time to reconnect with pastors.
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So many options: Resident relocates from sister community
Chaplain’s message The gift of receiving By Rev. Dr. Larry L. Thornton, Aberdeen Village chaplain
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Tim Allin, executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Suzanne Willey, community relations director, swilley@pmma.org. Telephone: 913-599-6100 Fax: 913-599-3810 Address: 17500 W. 119th St., Olathe, KS 66061-9524 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson captured well the spirit of New Year’s Eve when he wrote: “Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow:The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. NewYear’s Eve is like the whole season of Advent rolled up into a party. Advent was a call to reform, to make new resolutions about our lives that would “make straight the way of the Lord” (Mark 1:3). The Rev. Dr. Larry Thornton Now, after the splendor and wonder of Christmas, we are once again called to take stock of our habits and see if they reflect our true nature. I would challenge you to think about the gift of receiving. One of the most difficult things we human beings do gracefully is receive. If we have something to give, most of us will give with all our being, but the minute someone gives something to us, we get shy and reticent and say things like, “Oh, you really shouldn’t have” or “I could never accept such a gift.” It’s hard to receive! Of course, we’re in control when we give. We decide what and when and how much and at what cost our gift will be. As givers, we call the shots. Not so as receivers. Somebody else has chosen something for us and presents it to us, what do we do? What do we say? The former Fred Rogers of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” writes about an experience with the gift of receiving: “Yesterday, I gave a little book to a wood carver who is going to have surgery next week. It’s a book of short sayings that means a lot to me, and I really wanted her to have it. Well, when she saw it, she started to cry, and she looked at me and said, I’m just so touched by this gift. I really thank you for it. Well, she brightened my life! The way that woodcarver received my little book was a gift to me. And ever since, she has helped me to think—a lot—about the gift of receiving.” Then Fred reflecting about the experience writes, “You know that’s the only gift we have to give to God: receiving gracefully what God has given to us. What an insight for the New Year! We might brighten God’s life by gracefully receiving God’s gifts! Imagine, the Eternal Giver delighting in receiving us—exactly as we are!”
Recently Delores Patton moved into Aberdeen Village. She is new to us, but Delores is no stranger to the Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America system. She was a resident of Salina Presbyterian Manor, and chose to move closer to her children in the Olathe area.
There are so many options in the PMMA system. One that resonates with residents and family members alike is the ability to relocate and be closer to family without leaving Presbyterian Manor. If you or your loved ones live in Kansas or Missouri, there is probably a Presbyterian Manor within easy driving distance of your home. Delores Patton
HIPPA, continued from page 1
Protected Health Information Protected Health Information, called PHI, is any information about a person’s health status, any health services provided to the person and any payment specifics about those services. Details of your medical record may not be shared without your consent. That’s one reason there are so many forms to sign at the doctor’s office nowadays, they must have your consent to process your visit for billing, insurance purposes, etc. That is also why it is so difficult to obtain information about friends in the hospital. Their condition, the reason they are in the hospital, even their names, are considered part of their medical record and subject to strict HIPAA regulations. Violations result in expensive fines, and health care workers are required to receive training on how to keep all medical information safe. Some key privacy points: • When your health information is shared, only the minimum necessary should be disclosed. • Health information is to be used only for health purposes. Without
Call Mary Catherine Almond or Suzanne Willey at 913-599-6100 for more information.
your consent, it can’t be used to help banks decide whether to give you a loan or by potential employers to decide whether to give you a job. • If someone wants to share your health information, you have to give your formal consent. • You can ask for copies of all this information and make appropriate changes to it.You also can ask for a history of any unusual disclosures. • Your health care provider and insurance company must explain how they’ll use and disclose health information. (Information from WebMD.) Retirement community regulations Retirement communities that provide state-licensed services, such as assisted living and health care, must abide by the strict privacy regulations. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America employees receive training and updates regularly. Vendors also are trained to ensure resident privacy is maintained. PMMA employees know they are not to chat about residents in the hallways – or anywhere – because that violates their privacy protections. The privacy laws are
why health care staff can’t talk to other residents about the people in their care. It’s not that they are being unhelpful or that they don’t care about your feelings. They are required to keep the information confidential. Another key component of the privacy rules that affect health care residents is that the “information” may not be linked to an individual. In the rules, “information” includes photos of faces. That’s why we ask residents to sign consent forms when we take pictures for our newsletters, web sites and other marketing purposes. Family concerns Information from AARP explains that health care staff can discuss conditions and treatments with family members, but you must give written permission for your loved ones to see your official medical records. It’s a good idea for older adults to have their adult children sign a letter or form designating them as a personal representative in case the need arises. This will give the health care providers the coverage they require to avoid HIPAA violations, according to AARP. 3