Emporia Presbyterian Manor
MARCH 2022
Local artist featured on Art is Ageless greeting card Emporia-based artist Steve Barnard, who was named a masterpiece-level winner in last year’s Art is Ageless® juried art competition, recently had his painting, “Flying with Grandpa,” featured on a commemorative greeting card that accompanied the 2022 Art is Ageless “Flying with Grandpa” by Steve Barnard, a calendar. masterpiece winner in the 2021 Art is Ageless Although Steve is a lifecompetition. long artist, 2021 marked the first time he entered a piece of his work into the Art is Ageless competition. “I’ve shown in galleries and entered into contests before, so I thought it would be fun,” said Steve. Steve’s painting, which features an almost cartoon-like image of grandpa flying a stylized jet with his granddaughter riding shotgun, is a perfect example of Steve’s unique ability to turn a mental image into a piece of art. “I just sit down, and I get these visions for what I want to do,” said Steve. But Steve’s creativity isn’t always expressed in paint. “I paint, I do sculptures, I make constructions out of recycled materials, I do a little bit of wood working—I don’t really have a style. I just like to create whatever comes to mind,” said Steve. After his success in last year’s competition Steve is already planning on entering several pieces in the 2022 competition, although he knows that the competition will be tough. “I was pretty impressed with the quality when the calendar came out—there’s quite a lot of talent here in Emporia,” said Steve. u
Calling all artists Are you a painter, a quilter, a sculptor or virtually any other form of visual artist? If so, we want to see your work in the 2022 Art is Ageless® juried art competition. Emporia Presbyterian Manor is calling all artists age 65 and older to enter or exhibit in the annual Art is Ageless® juried exhibit and competition at the campus, 2300 Industrial Road, Emporia, Kan. The exhibit is scheduled for April 11 – May 6, 2022. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2023 Art is Ageless calendar. Due to the uncertainty created by COVID-19, Emporia Presbyterian Manor plans to hold its event virtually for friends of the program on the community’s Facebook page, and to announce winners on Facebook following the event. Works will be on exhibit at the community for residents only. Artists may choose to enter works for exhibit only. For the competition, the artist must have been 65 at the time of creation and have completed the work in the past five years (since January 2017).
Art is Ageless – continued on page 2
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Emporia Presbyterian Manor receives award for customer experience Emporia Presbyterian Manor qualified for Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2022 Customer Experience Award™ by scoring in the top 15percent of senior living communities across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada in customer satisfaction surveys. Every month, Emporia Presbyterian Manor has gathered its real-time survey results to gain a better understanding of the residents’ needs and make improvements when necessary. “Our residents are the reason why we do what we do,” said Susan Siepelmeier, executive director. “This award reflects our success at making our community home for our residents and the faith their families have in our ability to carry out our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.” Throughout its 38-year history of serving the community, Emporia Presbyterian Manor has placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that the individual needs of every resident are met. Over the course of 2021, a sampling of Emporia Presbyterian Manor’s customers and their families have participated in monthly telephone interviews that include open-ended questions, as well as the opportunity to rate the community in specific categories.
Health center residents and their families gave Emporia Presbyterian Manor high marks in safety and security. A customer satisfaction measurement firm with 25 years of experience in post-acute healthcare, Pinnacle conducts over 150,000 phone surveys each year and works with more than 2,500 care providers in all 50 US states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Emporia Presbyterian Manor offers independent living, assisted living,
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Alzheimer’s and dementia care, long-term health care and shortterm rehabilitation. To learn more about Emporia Presbyterian Manor, contact Andraya Taber at 620-3432613 or ataber@pmma.org. u
Art is Ageless – continued from page 1 There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by 4 p.m. April 5. To arrange drop-off of artwork, contact Andraya Taber at 620-343-2613 or ataber@pmma.org. The Art is Ageless® program encourages Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information can be obtained by contacting Andraya Taber at 620-343-2613 or ataber@pmma.org., or accessed online at ArtIsAgeless.org. u Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Community Matters 620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6635 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Emporia Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: ataber@PMMA.org Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Andraya Taber, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Activities director uses personal experience to improve the health of residents At her heaviest, Activities Director Lori Davis weighed more than 415 pounds and found that her physical condition was slowly beginning to affect every aspect of her life. “I remember sitting there and wanting to live but I couldn’t,” said Lori. “I was deteriorating and depressed.” Following weight-loss surgery—and numerous lifestyle changes—Lori found that she was not only happier but that she actually enjoyed the process of exercising. “Fitness became a passion of mine because I love to move,” said Lori. With her new outlook on life, Lori soon began to look around and see opportunities to make a similar transformation in the lives of the residents she serves. “They didn’t feel well, they had low energy … so I thought, ‘what can we do to improve their quality of life?’” said Lori. The answer was the creation of a new physical wellness class for residents in assisted and independent living. Held at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, the class is conducted entirely seated and incorporates tai chi, yoga and HIIT. Lori is also sure to offer modifications to meet the fitness levels of all residents. “We find alternatives for those with
Residents use pool noodles to stretch in new physical wellness class.
arthritis or a bad knee and we make sure that the physical therapists and nurses are aware of what we’re doing and approve,” said Lori.
“We blow up balloons and give them pool noodles to smack them around,” said Lori. “They have an absolute blast!”
After just one month, the results are indisputable.
And Lori says that the fun they have is often contagious.
“I have two women who can now touch their toes, and we have another woman who would have to ride the lift up to the bus, now she gets on the bus while I’m still folding up her walker,” said Lori. “The more active they are becoming, the better they’re living. They’re happy and cheerful.”
“When the ones that decline the activity hear the laughter, they realize that they’re missing out and then they want to participate—it’s infectious, but in a good way.”
Lori also provides group activities for residents in healthcare, including one game that offers an opportunity for residents to get some exercise while letting out a little pent-up frustration.
While the residents of Emporia Presbyterian Manor are the primary beneficiary of Lori’s work, she admits that she gets something out of it as well. “I absolutely love what I do,” said Lori. “I wake up saying ‘I get to go to work.’” u
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2022