Community Matters Aberdeen Village
January 2016
Upcoming events Just Ask lecture series continues in 2016 On January 13, at 1:30 p.m., Dr. Jeffrey Burns, codirector of the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at The University of Kansas Hospital, will be at Aberdeen Village to discuss the latest findings in Alzheimer’s research. Seating is limited, so make your reservation early by calling the front desk at 913-599-6100.
Resident/clergy breakfast On Friday morning, January 15 at 8:30 a.m., independent living residents and pastors from their home churches will be treated to breakfast in the Village Green. This will be a wonderful opportunity for meaningful fellowship and marvelous food.
The light within, for what happens next By Rev. Dr. Larry Thornton, Aberdeen Village chaplain
Here we are…standing at the edge of a new year. It’s a turning point where you say good-bye to the past and get charged up about the future. As we grow older we wonder…for what happens next. I love the insights of Father Steve Sundborg, president The Rev. Dr. of Seattle University, to welcome new students. He likened their journey to a hike he had taken in the Cascade Larry Thornton Mountains. He told of climbing a sunlit incline only to come to a tunnel, which he guessed could have been nearly two miles long. As he entered he was aware of the light that existed behind him, the light from which he had come. And someplace far out in the distance he could see a tiny pinpoint of light, a light toward which he was traveling. As he walked further, he found himself enveloped by darkness and felt himself beginning to panic. He turned back toward the entrance, with the thought of returning to the safety of the light. But not wanting to give LIGHT, continued on page 3
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A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
Aberdeen Village honored for achievements Aberdeen Village received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica for reaching goals in fiscal year 2015, July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015.
To receive an emerald, a community has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to communities that reached their goals in one or more category.
The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 18 locations to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards.
Aberdeen Village, located in Olathe, Kan., was recognized for meeting marketing goals.
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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“This recognition is a visible sign of Aberdeen Village’s commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer for PMMA.
Tim Allin, executive director, center, accepts an Emerald Certificate from Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer, left, and Bill Taylor, chief operations officer, right, of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America.
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in to the panic, he stilled himself. And in the stillness, he was able to remember the Light that was within him…the light of the Holy which travels with each of us, always. Standing there in that darkened tunnel, Father Steve stood firmly planted in a metaphor for our living. We come from the Light. We return to the Light. And all the while, we carry the Light within us. He told the story for the students, reminding them that they had come from the light of all that had shaped them thus far, their parents, their communities, their schools and teachers…that the journey they
were traveling was an unknown, a light in the distance yet to be discovered…but that they each carried the Light within as they went forward along the way.
(Hebrews 13:5).
My wife, Julia, and I are living this lesson. After 14 years as the first chaplain at Aberdeen, we are saying good-bye and getting ready for the Father Steve’s story is insightful as next chapter of our lives. Thank you we begin a new year. None of us for these good years of ministry knows what is going to happen next. among you. We love you and we will And yet we are all held someplace miss you. It is time to slow down for between the Light from whence we the next chapter of our lives and “to have come and the Light to which smell the roses.” We are not alone as we are going. Along the path, our we begin this journey. God is always Blessing is to pay attention to the with us. We do not know what will Light that lives within. Now, for all happen next to us in this next year, of us facing what the next in our but one thing remains the same for lives in the New Year, remember you and for us: God is the light of these words of hope…I will never leave you; I will never abandon you our life! God bless us all!
Six best knee-strengthening exercises If you can tell whether it’s going to rain by the pain in your knees, you’re in good company.
exercises that increase knee pain,” says Monzon. Deep Knee discomfort is second only squats, stairs to low back pain as the most and high-impact commonly reported pain among activities should adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention be avoided if you have (CDC). When done regularly, a history of exercises that strengthen muscles that support the knee joint can help arthritis. “These tend to cause to significantly reduce pain. more wear and “Many exercises and activities can tear on the help strengthen the muscles around cartilage within the joint, which the knee joint,” says Kristoffer leads to degenerative changes and Monzon, a physical therapist with Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine, inflammation,” he says. Calif. “It’s most important to find Focus on exercises that strengthen those that work for your lifestyle the quadriceps (muscles in front of and level of fitness and do not create the thighs) and hamstrings (muscles more pain.” in backs of the thighs). Isometric exercises, stretching, “The stronger you can get both balance exercises and those for the these muscles the better job they hip, foot and ankle work best. do at reducing strain around the knee and at providing greater shock Ditch the deep knee bends You want to stay away from any absorption,” says Monzon.
Credit: Thinkstock
Do try these at home Simple, at-home exercises to get you started include the list below. (Be sure to check with your health care provider before attempting these or any other new exercise routine.) Mini or partial squats with a chair or at a counter (quadriceps): Holding on to a chair or stable surface, with knees about shoulder width apart and pointing forward, KNEE, continued on page 4 Aberdeen Village
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slightly bend hips and knees as if sitting down onto a chair, and then slowly stand back up. Repeat 10 to 12 times. Standing hamstring curls (hamstrings): Holding on to the back of a chair or stationary surface, without moving hip, bend knee as far as possible, bringing your heel up towards your buttocks. Do 10 to 12 reps on each leg. Marching in place (hip flexors and a good balance exercise): On your own or while holding on to the back of a chair or stationary object, take alternating steps in place, bringing knee up to a comfortable height. Strive for 60 seconds of marching.
Heel raises (calf muscle): Holding on to back of a chair or stable surface, rise up on toes, lifting heels off ground and then slowly lower back down. Do 10 to 12 reps.
and repeat 10 times. Repeat several times a day if your knees actively ache. Straight leg raises:
In the same starting position as the quad sets, sit with your right leg (do one at a time) straight in front of you with your toes pulled towards the knee. (If this is too difficult you may also do these lying on your Quad sets: back to start.) Keep your left leg This simple exercise may be done on bent with your foot on the floor. Contract your quads on your right the floor with or without a pillow under your knee. Sit with your legs leg, lift your foot about 12 inches out in front of you and your knees off the ground and hold it up for 5 completely straight (lean against a seconds; slowly lower it back down wall or back on your hands). Focus and repeat 10 times. Switch legs. on contracting your quadriceps © Twin Cities Public Television - 2015. muscle and holding it as tight as possible for several seconds; relax All rights reserved. In addition, Dr. C. David Geier, Jr., an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in South Carolina, recommends the following exercises:
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Share your election experience!
You can hardly turn on the television without being reminded that we are in a presidential election year. We’re looking for residents with a story to tell about a memorable election or voting experience. What motivates you to go to the polls? Did you ever hold public office? What was that like? Did you work on a famous politician’s campaign or meet a famous politician? Tell us your story. If you’ve got a story to share about living out your civic responsibility, contact Community Relations Director Suzanne Willey, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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