Newton Community Matters – June 2023

Garden Club beautifies the deck

The Garden Club, started by Chaplain Greg Schmidt, meets once a week to care for the community’s plants and flowers. Recently, several independent- and assistedliving residents visited Stutzman’s Greenhouse and Garden Center to stock up on flowers that were recently planted on the deck off of the main dining room by residents, including Ann Heidebrecht (left). u

Thank you, Chaplain Greg

By Eleanore Myers, resident After COVID,

and with the Manorremodel completed, we felt like, what now?

One by one our dear leaders in the administration were retiring, having carried us along with all the requirements for staff and residents during this difficult time, giving support and encouragement to each resident and keeping us informed of the current regulations about wearing masks, where we could go, what we should avoid and all the time graciously serving meals as dietary assistants to residents who were sitting six feet apart in the Chapel, Wellness Center, Sunroom, Broadway Apartments and in the three Healthcare units.

Then we received word that the corporate office was sending us a chaplain, Greg Schmidt, who would also serve as Heart & Soul Hospice chaplain. In chapel he tried to teach us the song “Go with God” and I would like to thank him for encouraging us to keep our focus on the Lord, praying for, and with us and for your loving pastoral heart.

Right from the start, Chaplain Greg and his wife Marguerite started

Chaplain – continued on page 2

Newton Presbyterian Manor

Chaplain Greg Schmidt

Community remains at the forefront of memory care in Kansas

Newton Presbyterian Manor has long been a leader in memory care within the senior living industry as one of the first communities in Kansas to develop a memory care program. The community works hard to continue leading the way while offering residents and their families peace of mind.

Through two dedicated memory care neighborhoods – Anderson Place in assisted living and Haury Place in long-term care – the community provides a full range of services along with the compassion needed to adapt to the ever-changing needs of seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia.

Among those services is Behavior

Based Ergonomic Therapy (BBET), a practical therapy program developed by Dr. Govind Bharwani. BBET is based on ergonomics and neuroscientific research on the progression of Alzheimer’s and it’s designed to improve the quality of life for people living with the disease. Since the program’s launch in 2010, the BBET program has won six national awards and spread to more than 14 senior living communities specializing in memory care in three states.

Newton Presbyterian Manor’s parent company PMMA has more

than 25 years of experience and leadership in offering specially tailored programs for seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It has recently committed to training everyone in all communities, as well as the corporate office, in the Positive Approach to Care (PAC) method, founded by Teepa Snow. PAC teaches common sense and practical skills meant to enhance the “life and relationships of those living with brain changes.”

To learn more, visit newtonpresbyterianmanor.org/ memory-care-newton. u

having a “party” for all residents once a month in the evening. Sometimes outside on the lawn during summer, eating watermelon or sipping a cool drink, or collecting wedding pictures and trying to guess who they were while some told something unplanned that happened at their wedding reception. What a fun way to become friends! We will miss the stories and jokes he told us at lunchtime and Bingo was never so

much fun as when he led the game. Greg did four Bible studies in four areas of the Manor each Thursday morning after staff and brought the residents to a central location in each area where we had sung hymns from song-sheets for 15 minutes. Friday was the worship service for the week with a full chapel of residents again! He presented a plan for the Spiritual Life Committee to become more productive that will help us for

years to come.

Thank you, Chaplain Greg, for your ministry here at the Newton Presbyterian Manor. "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numbers 5:24-26.

Together we sing, as this chapter in our lives comes to a close, “God Will Make a Way.” u

Chaplain – continued from page 1

Staff Q&A with Yvonne Duncan

Although she’s already been at the community for nearly five months, Administrative Assistant Yvonne Duncan is a relative newcomer to the Newton Presbyterian Manor family. In order to get to know her a little better, we recently got her to sit down for a quick and informal Q&A session.

Where are you from originally?

I’m from the small town of Chapman, Kansas. A place where everyone knows everyone, a town teaming with those who rely on each other. A small town however isn’t defined by the number of people in it or the square miles it has, it’s defined as a friendly place that has its own small-town charm and is a peaceful, safe place to live.

Whatareyourhobbies?

I have a variety of hobbies, actually. I enjoy creative arts such as drawing, painting and crafting. I love hunting, pole fishing and bow fishing.

Sometimes you may even find me in a shop turning a wrench covered in grease working on a demolition derby car.

Whatdoyoulikemostaboutworking atNewtonPresbyterianManor?

Working with people from all different walks of life You get to hear some really great stories and gain new perspectives. Of course, it can be hard at times, but you’ll be surprised at the amount of wisdom and positivity you get from the residents.

Whatisthemostchallengingthing aboutyourjob?

Receptionists/assistants are the first ones to hear about complaints or issues.

Balancing empathy in a situation and determining how to best address it can be a drain on energy and time, no matter how experienced we may be.

What energizes you at work?

Learning new skills really motivates me. It’s satisfying to see myself improve as I

gain more knowledge about the job. I also really love coming up with creative ideas to improve or even make something new.

What are three items on your bucket list?

Take a spontaneous road trip. Visit all the National Parks. Go deep-sea fishing.

Where do you hope to visit one day?

Scotland. Why, you might ask? My family line is Scottish and Irish. Scotland has some of the most striking landscapes from rolling hills, mountain faces, white sandy beaches and all the medieval architecture. I have also heard that they have some of the best scenic drives.

Do you have any pets?

I have free-range chickens, ducks and a turkey that will follow you around and loves to be fed treats. I also have two dogs. Jade is 15 years old and is a sweetheart who can do just about any trick you can think of—she’s a pretty pampered dog. My white lab, Snow, is almost a year old and reminds me of a

Bravo of the Month

sour patch kid as she’s super sweet and smart but she likes to see what she can get away with in her puppy stages.

Who is your hero and why?

My parents are my heroes. They’re both heroes to me not because of what they offered the world, but what they offered me. A hero is someone that you can model yourself after, or a person you look up to and strive to be like. When you are in a situation you do not know how to solve, they are some you can look to and ask yourself what that person would have done in a similar situation. To me, a hero is someone who sets a good example for you and someone with a good set of morals and values. A hero does not always have to be someone in a cape out saving the world. I think heroes can be normal people—rather extraordinary people in my case. I am very thankful and truly blessed to have such wonderful parents. u

For June, the Bravo of the Month award goes to LPN Jeanne Douglass.

Newton Presbyterian Manor staff member Christina Weber singled out Jeanne for her open communication and ability to keep schedules in line, adding, “It is a pleasure to work with you. I love how you take care of the residents and love them as if they were your family. You deserve a BIG BRAVO!!!”

And fellow LPN Deb Brody stated, “Most people think Jeanne only takes care of assisted living. They don’t know she also handles garden apartments and independent living when needed. (She remembers their names!) She does home health visits and keeps track of the paperwork that goes with that. She deserves recognition! Thanks Jeanne.”

Congratulations Jeanne! u

Jeanne Douglass

Yvonne Duncan

1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820

Newton Presbyterian Manor shares customer service survey responses

Newton Presbyterian Manor continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys. Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight.

The graphic highlights recent survey results. All scores are given on a 5point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score.

Between April 2022 and March 2023, Newton Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores for cleanliness, safety and security, demonstrating dignity and respect. Many also said they would

recommend the community to others.

“I appreciate the staff and some of the activities,” said one resident. “I would recommend it to anybody who lives in Kansas.”

We greatly value the opinions of our

residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u