Commun ty Matters Clay Center Presbyterian Manor
Farewell, but not forgotten
Social services designee Judy Riek has been with Clay Center Presbyterian Manor for more than two decades, since December 1996. While she’s thoroughly enjoyed her position here, and helping countless residents have the best quality of life possible, she has made the decision to retire this month. “I’m going to miss getting to know the residents. They have so many
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April 2018
Meet Shelley Eisenman
New administrative assistant/receptionist Shelley Eisenman is a fairly familiar face around Clay Center Presbyterian Manor, but she’s only been here since January 8. That hasn’t stopped her from getting to know as many residents and families as possible, though. “I love being constantly busy. I love to meet and greet the families, and always being here for the residents,” said Shelley. Shelley and her husband Earnest have lived in Clay Center for a total of four years, though this is their second time living here. They have three children and one granddaughter and enjoy doing home remodeling in their spare time. “I used to own a home remodeling business, and I once owned a computer store as well. I did that while I was raising my children,” said Shelley. “I also like to garden, especially flowers, and one of my biggest passions is restoring antique furniture. I’m all about sanding and staining and taking it back to its natural state.” We’re happy to have Shelley here on staff at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor, and she’s looking forward to meeting you if she hasn’t already!
Tell your doctor what’s on your bucket list It’ll help direct your health where you want it to go By Grace Birnstengel for Next Avenue
Your doctor can’t read your mind. A doctor assumes everyone wants to live and continue to live the best, healthiest, happiest life possible — but that means something different for everyone. If your doctor knows about your long-term goals and “bucket list” items, however, that can be used to direct your health plan and goals. Dr. VJ Periyakoil, an internist, geriatrician and palliative care professional at Stanford Health
Care wrote a piece for the NewYork Times about how she regularly asks her patients about their bucket lists. “I started doing this to forge a personal connection and get a quick glimpse into what matters most to each of them,” she wrote.
In Periyakoil’s experience, most patients have bucket lists already — whether it’s burgeoning in the back of their mind or a concrete list pinned to a bulletin board.
Why a bucket list Is useful
What Periyakoil does with this information comes in two parts.
Community Matters
First, she uses the bucket list items as incentive for more healthy behaviors. “For example, I found that saying, ‘I
is published monthly for residents and friends of Clay Center Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Christian Gilbert, executive director Heather Germann, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Heather Germann, hgermann@pmma.org.
Telephone: 785-632-5646 Fax: 785-632-5874 Address: 924 Eighth St., Clay Center, KS 67432-2620
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ClayCenterPresbyterianManor.org
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don’t think your half-marathon is happening anytime soon if you don’t quit smoking’ got my patient’s attention much faster than making obvious and boring statements like, ‘Smoking is bad for you,’” she wrote.
But more importantly, the bucket list goals guide Periyakoil toward or away from certain medical decisions or recommendations.
She used the example of a patient diagnosed with a serious case of gallbladder cancer. When asked about his bucket list, the patient assumed he’d take his family on a trip to Maui the following year — after his radiation appointments.
BUCKET LIST
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Periyakoil, knowing how the treatments would affect his ability to travel, suggested going to Maui while he still could and starting the treatments after the trip.
“If I had not asked about his bucket list, he would have stoically undergone the radiation and chemotherapy, and the Maui trip would have remained a sunny fantasy,” she wrote.
Making it work
Periyakoil co-published a study in the Journal of Palliative Medicine to discover more about what’s on Americans’ bucket lists. The study suggested six prevailing themes of bucket list items: a desire to travel, personal goals (such as running a marathon or writing a book), life milestones (like marriage or children), quality time with friends and family, financial stability and daring activities (like surfing and bungee jumping).
These themes resonate with the experiences of Next Avenue readers and writers as well. We have stories about older adults setting out to conquer the largest and longest recreational bicycle touring ride in the world, learning to tap dance at 85 and skydiving with an early-onset diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
Some of these common bucket-list items might not seem relevant to your health and therefore irrelevant to bring up in a doctor appointment. But Periyakoil rejects this notion. “Many [people] — especially those who are not in perfect health — may underestimate the extensive coordination required to make their
bucket list wishes possible,” Periyakoil said.
Your bucket list items may be completely in reach, and if your doctor is up-to-date on your goals, he or she can better advise you on how to best achieve them and when — taking into account health obstacles that may affect you in the process and avoiding treatments that could get in the way.
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great stories!” said Judy. “But I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family in retirement. I have 10 grandchildren and another on the way in June. We also have some trips planned.” Her warm smile and kind presence will be missed, but her impact will not be forgotten. We wish her the best in this next season of her life and appreciate her many years of service!
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