Wichita Community Matters – March 2024

Move to WPM feels like going home

For Anita and Steven Chartier, the decision to move to Wichita Presbyterian Manor began years ago, when both their parents made the same decision.

“We’ve had many years of experience with this place,” Anita said. “We always talked that some day when we needed to we’d come to the manor. Our home was only two miles from here. Our kids are familiar with it. When it was obvious that we needed to do something besides stay in the house by ourselves, this was our first and only choice.”

Initially, Anita and Steven prepared to make the move because of memory issues that had begun to affect Steven. But as it turned out, the move was essential for Anita, too.

“We thought it was necessary for us to move here before he needed memory care so he could get used to the place” Anita said. “But we needed to move here for me, too. I’ve had health problems and had pacemaker put in. It was different than we anticipated but it worked best for all concerned. We had a place for him to be that wasn’t stressful for him, even though I wasn’t able to be with him for a while.”

Adding to the comfort is the fact that many of their neighbors at WPM have been friends and members of their church for more than 40 years.

“There are people here who worked here when our parents lived here,” Anita said. “That’s been really special - they saw us and called our names and hugged us. It’s been really important to us. It made us feel like we’re coming home. We have different apartments here that are housing members from our church - we’ve known those folks for 40-50 years. People we’ve had such a history with. These folks are long term friends. They make us feel so comfortable and at home here.”

Prior to making the move to WPM, Anita and Steven - who have been married for 54 years - owned the Legg company in Halstead. Anita worked as an educator, both in public schools and in church.

Say “Hey” to our new sales director

Our new sales director Steven Reed comes to us with a breadth of experienceincluding the exciting world of real estate sales and teaching English to middle school students.

He began his new role as the Sales Director for Assisted Living and Health Care for Wichita Presbyterian Manor in January.

Steven is certified in first aid, has a bachelor’s degree in education, and his hobbies include kids sports, golf, going to the lake, and working out.

Help us welcome Steve to the WPM family! u

“Our life has been wonderful.” u

Wichita Presbyterian Manor wins 2024 Pinnacle Customer Experience Award!

Congratulations to Wichita Presbyterian Manor Assisted Living for winning the 2024 Pinnacle Customer Experience Award, earned because of positive customer feedback through telephone surveys.

Wichita Presbyterian Manor seeks customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys. Residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight.

Earning this award means Wichita Presbyterian Manor consistently ranks among the top 15% of providers nationally.

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 January 2023 and December 2023, Wichita Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores for demonstrating dignity and respect, safety and

security, and the cleanliness.

“I would tell others it's a very good place to live,” said one resident. “The friendliness of the people is overwhelmingly good to make our lives better.”

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

Matters

Nancy and Chester fill each other’s stories

Nancy McKeller moved into Wichita Presbyterian Manor in October, and she’s had a host of friends who have helped make the transition smooth.

But none have been quite as critical to her story as her miniPomeranian, Chester.

“He was a rescue dog. He’s written his own little story,” Nancy said. “Of course, I had to hold the pencil. When I got him, I knew that he’d probably outlive me, so he has a story about how he came to be my dog. He and I are best buds.”

Chester, it turns out, is a near perfect companion for Nancy as she has learned to make her way around the manor.

“He can go around with me everywhere in the manor,” Nancy said. “I haven’t taken him to play Mexican Train, which I play three nights a week. He would get tired of

it. He’s a very good little boy.”

He’s also become a fixture around the community, and a popular petting stop for everyone.

“All the staff and residents know him,” Nancy said. “Often I’ll take him in the afternoon to the library, and I think people want to talk to me, but they really want to see Chester. Sometimes, I take him, and we just sit, and he can see people and he really likes that. But he likes treats the best.”

Nancy said that Chester gets only healthy snacks, and no table scrapsdespite his begging to the contrary. He knows where the treats are located, and though he might stare at them longingly, they are too high for him to reach.

“He has stairs to get on the bed so he can look out the window when I’m not here,” Nancy said. And he naps

Hellos are always welcome

Our new Human Resources Director Kim Onderek wants everyone to know that it’s always in order to say “hi.”

“Feel free to stop by and say hello anytime,” she said.

Kim started her new role with Wichita Presbyterian Manor in October. She brings with her years of vast experience in various fields - including managerial duties in

because he’s tired from begging for treats all day.”

But, she stressed, he is a clever dog and very good at getting extra treats during the day. And Nancy agrees that sometimes it’s just hard to say no.

“Life is short. Eat the treats.” u

childcare, aviation, and the financial sector.

She has a master’s degree in management and leadership and a bachelor’s in business management. She’s also CPR certified.

Her hobbies include gardening, bike riding, spoiling her grandchildren and cheering on KU sports. u

4700 W. 13th St.

Wichita, KS 67212-5575

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