Commun ty Matters Clay Center Presbyterian Manor
November 2014
this lady made some WaveS Donna Schaffner ‘taught the boys to fly’
November 2014
S Pi ri tua l l if e ac ti vi ti eS
CHAPEL November 4 – Pastor Graham November 11 – Pastor Stewart November 18 – Pastor Lynch November 25 – Pastor Coleman
Parade Smiles
Marketing Director Heather Germann and
resident Dorothy urban had plenty of time to practice their 'smile and wave' as they
represented Presbyterian Manor during the Morganville and clay center
Piotique
parades.
She may be 94 years young, but Donna Schaffner remembers with great clarity the time she spent serving her country during WWII. She was honored to play her part, and we’re honored to share the stories of our veterans, especially during this time of Veterans day.
Donna grew up in Springfield, Ohio, where she enjoyed watching the planes at Wright Patterson Air Base, near Dayton. Her idol was Amelia Earhart. After teaching in Springfield four years, Donna answered the call for women to join the service. In 1943 at age 23 she took basic training for the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).
Donna Schaffner’s memories of her time as a Wave remain vibrant.
“The principal held a teacher’s meeting and said the armed forces were interested in having more women join with teaching experience. So, in June 1943 after school was out, I signed up,” Donna said. “They sent me to train at Hunter College in the Bronx in NewYork. We did marching, the whole ‘hut, two, three, four bit.’ It was really hot and really rough that summer.” She then took training to teach instrument flying to Naval Air Cadets in Atlanta, Ga. She went on to teach instrument flying at Pensacola Air Base in Florida for two-and-a-half years.
“They interviewed me about my skills and interests and said they’d like me to become an instructor of instrument flying. It’s where pilots learn to fly looking only at the instruments, because when you’re over the ocean, or in low visibility, you’ve got to learn to do this,” Donna said. “After students
WaveS continued on page 4
lifestyle changes hold the key to preventing alzheimer’s
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 a recipe, or cocktail, of several factors. “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
Community Matters 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.
Mike Derousseau, 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
2 COMMUNITY MATTERS NOVEMBER 2014
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 factors that previous studies had shown improve heart function and memory. It included: good nutrition, regular exercise, stimulating activity and building relationships. The lifestyle participants also received advice on how to manage blood pressure and cholesterol among other cardiovascular risk factors. After two years, people in the lifestyle program showed a whopping 40 percent improvement in cognitive tests. Here are some ways to start on your own program to delay dementia: Eat well –When it comes to nutrition and exercise, what is good for the heart is good for the brain. Don’t feel you are deprived; just 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. Move more – “We shouldn’t just be encouraging people to exercise, we should discourage them from being sedentary,” one researcher said. Some researchers found that moderate activity such as doing chores and walking – not just high-intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or biking – can protect the thinking process. Taking a walk after dinner three or four nights a week is an excellent habit to develop and a good way to kick-start your exercise program. Always consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Brain games – Two excellent ways to train your brain is to flex it and have a purpose. Things you can do on your own
eating well is part of keeping your mind sharp.
include working a crossword puzzle or jumble, reading, pursuing a hobby, playing a musical instrument or singing. Having a purpose involves brain flexing, as well. For this, you can set goals and follow through or solve a problem, for example. Social interaction – Social relationships foster support, and this connectedness, as we grow older, is critical to our wellness. When we converse, our brains are busy dealing with the activities of listening, observing and understanding.You can combine some of these activities for added impact, such as playing cards, joining an exercise class, participating in a book club and attending a lecture. More research in the years to come may eventually prove that the “recipe” prevents Alzheimer’s, but until then, we know most people have a good chance of delaying dementia symptoms if we increase physical activity, eat well, stimulate our brains and interact with others. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and treatments are poor. There are only a few drugs that appear to slow the disease in some people. The best course we have is to try to prevent it.
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. By early 1980, the United Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas’ joint project with the Manhattan Retirement Foundation was open. PMMA continued to provide management services for the new Meadowlark Hills until July 1, 1981. Salina Presbyterian Manor opened its doors in February 1980, and work started on additional apartments almost immediately. In addition to the expansion of the physical plant, two important programs of PMMA began in 1980. Residents, staff and advisory board members were invited to submit art and poetry for potential inclusion in the inaugural Art is Ageless calendar. A donor’s $10,000 gift established the Education Fund for PMMA employees, residents and trustees. 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 after thorough study, the board authorized sale of the property in June 1980. The next year, a group of citizens
the newly constructed 6-story independent living apartments at Salina Presbyterian Manor.
Many people attended the april 13, 1980, dedication of Salina Presbyterian Manor.
Harry Steele presents rev. thomas c. Wentz, president and ceO of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-america, with the key to Salina Presbyterian Manor.
in Emporia petitioned for construction of a campus in that community, and a period of study and fundraising began. Additional campuses in Missouri also were considered in Jefferson City and Springfield. The PMMA board voted to sell Mid-Continent Presbyterian Manor, a campus formerly operated by the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. Residents of the campus, located in Kansas City, Mo., were given the option of moving to the Kansas City, Kan., campus. The sale was completed in 1983. New services and new needs also 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.
the official ribbon cutting and dedication at Salina Presbyterian Manor was april 13, 1980.
CLAY CENTER PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3
Hip, Hip Hooray!
clay center Manor staff and residents enjoy cheering on their favorite teams, including the K-State Wildcats and the Kansas city royals. it's common to find groups gathered around a television, enjoying fun snacks and cheering on their team during the big game!
clay center Presbyterian Manor 924 eighth St. clay center, KS 67432-2620
TIME CHANGE November 2 Be sure and set your clocks back 1 hour. WAVES continued from page 1
finished our training, they’d go to the main base at Pensacola. When we could manage on our day off we’d go to the ceremony when the cadets we taught would become officers. As they passed by us, we would salute them, and then they would salute us and have to give us a dollar, as was the custom. When we’d have some time off, I’d ask to go up with the cadets and instructors in the planes. I started taking flying lessons and became a pilot in 1946 after finishing requirements at Don Scott Field through Ohio State University.” In 1947 she married James D. Schaffner, whom she met at Ohio State. James was a veteran of the Glider Infantry of
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the 82nd Airborne and had served for four years in Europe. James and Donna had four children while Donna taught school for 25 years, mostly in St. Louis. James passed away in 1981, and Donna moved to Kansas in 2008 to be near a daughter. “I had some close calls while serving and learning to fly, but God protected me. I’m so grateful for my WAVE experience. My WAVE buddies in the Navy were honorable, patriotic person, and I still correspond with two of them after all these 60 years,” said Donna.
Thank you, Donna, for your service, and thank you to all of our veterans.