Topeka Presbyterian Manor
DECEMBER 2023
Christmas joy – or melancholy – can be sparked by our senses When it comes to the holidays, there’s no shortage of sensory memory, which is defined as “the perception of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch information entering through the sensory cortices of the brain and relaying through the thalamus.” More specifically, it means that something as simple as the smell of pine needles or the taste of a sugar cookie can instantly create strong feelings – positive or otherwise – related to the holiday season. While many of us will associate the sound of a familiar Christmas Carol or the feeling of a bite of pumpkin pie on our tongue in a positive way, that’s not true for everyone. For people who have experienced trauma or loss around the holidays, very strong emotions can emerge based on sensory memory. Whatever the emotion, holiday feelings are something we should all be able to talk about. At Topeka Presbyterian Manor, we encourage our residents not to just celebrate the holidays in the way they see fit, but to also experience the holidays in a natural way. That might be an extra dose of joy for one resident and the need to talk through some sadness for another. Whatever the case, we’re here to lend a holiday helping hand in whatever way we can. Marketing Director Danica Loftin shared that she recently learned that a loved one didn’t always enjoy the holidays, which helped to deepen her perspective. “It really made me think about the holidays and how people feel,” she said. However you feel this time of year, we hope Topeka Presbyterian Manor continues to be a source of joy and comfort during this and all holiday seasons! u
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. 2. Designate a quiet room: If you are planning on having family or friends over, choose a room in the house that’s only for your loved one to go to if things become too hectic and overstimulating. Explain to your guests beforehand that the identified room is a safe haven from stress for the person living with dementia. 3. Join a support group: The rate of depression increases during and after the holidays so if you or your
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Tips – continued from page 1 loved ones experience any signs of depression, contact a health care professional. 4. 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 celebrating earlier in the day to work around this.
5. Prepare out-of-town guests: The holidays are a great time to get families together but can be challenging for caregivers and guests alike. Let visiting family and guests know that their loved one may not remember them and explain any known behavioral issues. If the person is in the early stages of dementia, relatives and friends might not notice any changes. But the person living with dementia may have trouble
following conversations or tend to repeat things. Make sure guests understand that changes in behavior or memory are caused by the disease and not the person. 6. 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
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
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Community Matters 785-272-6510 ◆ Fax: 785-272-0496 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 TopekaPresbyterianManor.org
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is published quarterly for residents and friends of Topeka Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: dloftin@pmma.org Christie Patrick, executive director Danica Loftin, senior living sales director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Get your black-eyed peas (and other New Year’s food traditions) ready! Did you ever wonder where the tradition of black-eyed peas for New Year’s comes from? It is said that the tradition originated in West Africa and was brought over to the United States during the time of slavery. In many Southern states, it is believed that eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Eve brings good luck and prosperity in the coming year.
• Mini Chicken and Waffles. • Sweet Vidalia Onion Dip. • Easy Cranberry Brie Bites. • Baked Spinach-Artichoke Wonton Cups. • Baked Ham-and-Cheese Sliders.
you ring in the New Year (even if you head to bed well before midnight), we thought we’d share a black-eyed pea recipe from our own Connie Trimble, who shared this back in 2010 (see photo).
Whatever you love to snack on as
Happy New Year!!
Whatever the origins, black-eyed peas have become somewhat symbolic of our New Year’s traditions here in the U.S. However, they are not the only foods people enjoy this time of year. In fact, the most popular snacks of 2023, according to Good Taste are: • Slow-Cooker Crab Dip. • Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs.
Topeka Presbyterian Manor shares customer service survey responses Topeka 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 staff and cleanliness are wonderful,” said one resident’s family member. “It’s a great place to live,” said another resident. “The people really care about you.” 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
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, Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in for demonstrating dignity and respect, the dining service, admission process and meeting individual needs.
Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
4 COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2023