Parsons Presbyterian Manor
DECEMBER 2023
She Loves Lucy – and she has the artwork to prove It For as long as she can remember, Jane Parish has loved Lucy. “I grew up watching ‘I Love Lucy’ with my mother,” she recalled. “I passed that on to my daughter and she began collecting ‘I Love Lucy’ memorabilia. We have all the DVDs and we’ve watched all the movies.” As it turns out, her daughter married a fan of another classic television show – The Andy Griffith Show. “Our family enjoys watching Lucy and Andy now.” It’s classic TV family affair with an artistic twist. “My mother was artistic, though she didn’t do a lot with it as she was very busy raising three girls,” recalled Parish. “Eventually she began to drag out old paintings and I didn’t even know she had painted. It was a wonderful surprise. She took a painting class in her 70’s.” Other relatives were also artistic - including a second cousin who was involved in the movie ‘Evan Almighty.’ As it turns out, Parish got some of those “artistic genes” herself. “I picked up a newspaper when I was about six and I drew one of the cartoons,” she said. “My grandmother was amazed that I could do that.” In 7th grade, however, some skeptical students challenged her. “We were given the assignment to draw Abraham Lincoln and I remember a couple of kids didn’t believe I had really drawn it,” she recalled. “I guess it was very good, but their skepticism must have discouraged me a bit.” In fact, she didn’t draw again until she retired. “When I turned 65, I entered a picture of Louie the Chimpanzee in the Art is Ageless® contest here at the Manor and I won,” she shared. “I couldn’t wait to turn 65 so I could enter that contest!” More recently, it was announced that her ‘I Love Lucy’ painting is now a greeting card in the 2024 Art is Ageless® calendar, quite an accomplishment. For Parish, art is now a way of life. She paints, she’s involved in crafting and dabbles in other artistic endeavors as well. Of course, she’s also busy with family, including grandchildren. “I’m very blessed,” she smiled. u
Welcome Ahlayna McPherson, Assisted Living Supervisor! We would like to extend a warm welcome to Ahlayna McPherson, our new Assisted Living Supervisor. Ahlayna succeeds Shelby Hugo in the role, following Shelby’s promotion to Director of Nursing. In her spare time, Ahlayna enjoys doing almost anything outdoors, and loves spending time with her daughter and husband. “We also own a Kansas agrotourism attraction,” she shared. “It’s called ‘The Pumpkin Patch at Prior Creek Farms.’” Before joining Parsons Presbyterian Manor in June, McPherson was a home health nurse, as well as an LPN. Please join us in welcoming Ahlayna to her new position! u
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Shelby Hugo promoted to Director of Nursing Please join us in congratulating to our new Director of Nursing, Shelby Hugo! Shelby was promoted from Assisted Living Director, a position she’d held since February of 2022. “I’ve stepped into the role many times over the last year on an interim basis,” Hugo said. “I officially took over in July.” A Pittsburg State University graduate, Shelby enjoys spending time outdoors with her daughter,
Laikynn, and her husband, Reid. They never miss a Chiefs game and the family recently spent time riding in Colorado. “Attending concerts is high on our priority list, too!” she shared. As for priorities at the Manor, Hugo is looking forward to getting more involved in groups like LeadingAge, as well as continuing to expand her knowledge to ensure residents are getting the very best care. u
Shelby Hugo
Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays The holidays are full of family, fun and tradition, but for some caregivers and people living with dementia, this season can also be incredibly stressful. Here are our top tips to help you and your loved one get through the holidays. 1. Avoid crowded and noisy places: Loud or crowded places can further confuse or frustrate someone living with dementia. Too many people or too many noises can be overstimulating. Instead, try to choose smaller and more low-key
events that would not add to confusion or stress.
celebrating earlier in the day to work around this.
2. Maintain routines: This can be challenging when parties and holiday preparations disrupt our routine. Try however to keep your loved one’s routine unchanged. Some people living with dementia become confused or agitated in the evenings (sundowning). Consider
3. Trust your instincts: You know more than anyone else how much you and your loved one can handle without feeling overwhelmed. If an event or group of visitors may be stressful or troublesome give yourself permission to reschedule or decline. It is okay to say “no”. u
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Community Matters 620-421-1450 u Fax: 620-421-1897 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220 ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org
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is published quarterly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: nnash@pmma.org Crystal Packard, executive director Natae Nash, senior living sales specialist
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Do you know someone who would be a perfect fit for Parsons Presbyterian Manor? Are you loving life at Parsons Presbyterian Manor? You might just be able to “share the wealth.” If you have friends who are interested in becoming a part of our community, providing us with their names could lead to rewards - for both of you! u
The new 2024 Art is Ageless® Calendar has arrived! Visit ArtisAgeless.org for information on how to order. There you can also learn more about the program, meet the artists, even send an e-card. u
Parsons Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220
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Parsons Presbyterian Manor shares customer service survey responses Parsons 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 some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between September 2022 and August 2023, Parsons Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in for safety and security, activities, professional therapy and overall satisfaction.
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“I would tell them they’re the only choice I would make,” said one resident’s family member. “I appreciate that they have taken good care of my loved one.” 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