Emporia Presbyterian Manor
APRIL 2020
Nona Berghaus gives back She leads a daily exercise class, serves as a greeter and helps decorate at monthly community events and is a regular contributor to annual PMMA fundraising efforts—to put it simply, Nona Berghaus does her part to give back to the place she so affectionately calls home.
Safety update Presbyterian Manor Families of Residents, and Visitors,
Prior to moving into the community, Nona was a professor at Emporia State University, where she taught business and broke gender barriers. “There were more male than Resident Nona Berghaus. female professors when I first came here,” said Nona. “In fact, I was probably the first female with a doctorate to ever teach at ESU.” After retiring at 65, Nona continued to teach part time, as she puts it, “to continue to learn new things” and be around others. “I enjoy people and teaching is a challenge,” said Nona. “By the time you learn something, it changes.” It’s that need to constantly improve herself that’s just one of the reasons why she enjoys living at Emporia Presbyterian Manor. “I’m very pleased with how they help us to be better people to try and get us out of our apartments and bring in lecturers, so we know what’s going on. It’s helpful to us,” said Nona. Beyond that, Nona also loves the convenience and freedom she finds within the community. “I really enjoy it here. Everything is taken care of and you don’t have to worry about a thing,” said Nona. To learn more about the convenience and freedom found at Presbyterian Manor, contact Crystal Stock, marketing director, at 620-343-2613 or cstock@pmma.org. ◆
Keeping our residents and staff healthy is a top priority for PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica). We fully understand health care workers and seniors are at a higher risk of experiencing serious infections, so our staff members are doing their very best to stay current on every change that is occurring in this rapidly changing environment. On March 13, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced strict in-person visitation guidelines for senior health care communities. All PMMA communities are enforcing limited access for in-person visitation. Limited Access means all visits to the community must be rescheduled except in case of endof-life situations per the March 13 guidelines released by CMS. COVID-19 - continued on page 6
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
1
Stitched together:
Volunteers Betty Campbell and Margaret Davidson For 38 years, Betty Campbell and Margaret Davidson have been virtually attached at the hip— both personally and in their lives as Emporia Presbyterian Manor volunteers. The two initially met as colleagues at Emporia State University and, following Margaret’s divorce in 1982, became full-time roommates. Betty helped care for her friend’s three young children—eventually becoming what Margaret calls their “second mom.” “I claim them all now, and I think they claim me,” said Betty. Betty and Margaret’s relationship with Emporia Presbyterian Manor dates back almost as far. The two began volunteering at the community soon after it opened its doors.
and sometimes, when they work in the gardens, we help with that,” said Betty. But it’s the sewing that the women have become known for—starting with the creation of their own line of clothing protectors. “(The community) was buying them for $10 each. They were slick and the food would fall off and go on to the floor, and we said we could do better than that,” said Betty. “So, we started making them out of cotton and put flannel on the back.” Having demonstrated their talent, the women’s ingenuity is now in high demand among residents.
“If they want something unusual, they’ll describe it, and we’ll try and figure it out and make it for them,” said Margaret. As for why the women devote so much of their time to the community, the answer is simple. “We really are attached to the Manor. We think it’s a wonderful place and want to help all we can to keep it going and from having too big of load,” said Betty. “When we get too old to stay in our house we’ll probably live there too.”
“We started out just watering plants,” said Margaret. Over the years, however, the women have found a wide variety of ways they can help contribute to both the community and the residents who live there. “We do their mending, we make walker bags and peddle bags for the wheelchairs
Volunteers Margaret Davidson and Betty Campbell.
Walker bag handmade by Margaret and Betty.
Until then, Betty and Margaret will continue to work in their garden, read and contribute as volunteers. “We keep busy,” said Margaret. ◆
Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
EMPORIA Presbyterian Manor 620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
2
COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2020
Community Matters
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) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: cstock@PMMA.org Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Crystal Stock, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Open heart surgery changed my view of life By Chris Haws for Next Avenue
light.
I was being wheeled at speed through the corridors of the MedStar Cardiovascular Surgery Center in Washington, D.C. on a stretcher bound for an operating theater. My driver, another Chris, was also to be my anesthetist — so I refrained from commenting on his apparent lack of coordination or caution as we raced through the basement labyrinth.
Chris, the Dale Earnhardt of the basement corridors, had transformed into Chris, the consummate professional. I found myself wondering whether, in the event that I didn’t wake up from this adventure, I would know that I hadn’t woken up. As a lifetime of logic and scientific reasoning brought me to the inevitable conclusion that no, I wouldn’t know, I heard Chris’ voice in my ear: “See you on the other side.”
Instead, we traded gallows-humor jokes about passengers who found themselves on the wrong airplanes or patients who were delivered to the wrong operating theater. Except he wasn’t joking. As he wheeled me into a large bright space that looked like a cross between a medical equipment store room and a Formula One garage, he pointed toward a large whiteboard on the far wall. “Is that you?” he asked. I followed his gaze across a shining vista of intimidating looking machines to see my full name written in large black Sharpie letters across the top of a matrix of cells that were, for the moment, empty. All thoughts of rescue, reprieve or escape evaporated. “That’s me,” I had to admit. As I was being maneuvered onto the operating table, I became aware of a dozen or more green-andblue-clad technicians and doctors flitting around in my peripheral vision, probing my legs and arms for available veins, connecting a score of electrical contacts to those scary machines and adjusting the huge overhead lamps to bathe my trembling frame in bright blue
The heart: The vital organ and emotional center I was once told by a friend, who had also gone through this experience, that you’re never the same again after open heart surgery. And I now know that’s absolutely right. But why? Well, it’s a bit difficult to explain. We all agree that our conscious selves live in our brains, constantly fed with sensory and cognitive inputs from external and internal sources. It is where “I” “live,” and one day we may be able to fully explain what that sentence means. But for millennia, we have also accepted that in some almost mystical way, our hearts lie at the core of our being. Our constant companion since before we were born, locked away in the relative safety of our rib cages, the heart beats about 100,000 times a day and will continue to do so until we die. And when we die, it stops beating. And vice versa; when it stops beating, we die. It is that simple. It is that essential. So, it’s no real surprise that
our hearts have been accorded privileged status in our waking lives. And in our emotional lives too. A sad heart truly does feel “heavy.” A joyful heart really does feel like it’s bursting. And a grieving heart really does feel as if it might break. What is it about heart surgery that impinges so profoundly on our sense of self? As the 9-inch scar running down the chest of any “cabbage club” member (cabbage meaning CABG, which stands for coronary artery bypass graft surgery) graphically attests, this is no small deal. A different kind of ‘naked’ For four hours or more, up to a dozen highly skilled surgeons prod and probe, handle and adjust, then incise and suture the 300 or so grams of fist-sized muscle that is your heart. And all of this happens while you are safely locked away in the hermetically sealed, insensate waiting room of the anesthetist’s realm. Is it a sense of unconscious violation that is so unsettling? Yes, but not exactly. Is it about some sort of uninvited biological intimacy? Again, yes, but not quite. SURGERY- continued on page 4
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
3
Emporia Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception features senior artists Emporia Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless® exhibit features the work of local senior artists. This year, we also are marking the 40th anniversary of the Art is Ageless® program. At this time, we plan to offer the Art is Ageless exhibit virtually on our Emporia Presbyterian Manor Facebook page and announce our winners during a live Facebook event. Watch our Facebook page for updates. Art is Ageless is a trademarked program of PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America). The program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity. SURGERY- continued from page 3
I believe that two other concepts are at play here, and they’re not the obvious ones. The first is “nakedness.” I don’t think you can be more naked than when lying on an operating room table with your chest open and your beating heart exposed to the elements. It’s not a view that you will ever see, nor will most of the rest of humanity. But a select few have seen it — seen your “nakedness” — and it can never be “unseen.” That leads to the second concept: a sort of “public anonymity.” For several hours, a group of complete strangers has been toiling away at fixing your ailing heart. You will
4
COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2020
“It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Crystal Stock, marketing director. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Emporia community.” The first Art is Ageless calendar was published in 1981, featuring art from Presbyterian Manor community residents. Since then, the program has expanded to include a juried art competition open to all seniors age 65 and older. The Art is Ageless exhibit features works from local artists in a variety of mediums, including acrylics, oils, photography and various other forms, ranging from amateur to never meet most of them, nor they you. Most of them probably never looked at your face, swathed as it was in tubes and drips and drapes. All they saw was a postcard-sized portal into your soul, shining and pulsing under the glare of the operating lights. All they cared about was making it better. Profound Gratitude Eventually, when your sternum is wired (yes, wired) back together and the last sutures tied off, you will all go your own ways. You, to ICU and the delights of post-operative recuperation; they, to their next encounter with patient “X,” whose life they will save — as they did mine. The graffiti of our public, yet
professional levels. Winning pieces at the community level move on to a masterpiece level judging to determine which pieces are featured in the annual calendar and note cards. For more details on the virtual exhibit, please search for Emporia Presbyterian Manor on Facebook. For more information about Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org. Or, contact Crystal Stock at 620343-2613 or cstock@pmma.org. ◆ anonymous, encounter will be written across my chest for the rest of my days. But beneath that scar something else has changed, as my friend had said it would. It can probably best be described as profound humility. After as stark an encounter with one’s own mortality as this, the sky really is bluer. The birds really do sing more melodiously. And the floral perfumes of the spring blossoms really are sweeter. And, to this day, the comforting words of my beloved sweetheart, my wife, Derry, still echo through my soul: “Welcome back, honey. If you try that again, I’ll kill you myself!” And then she kissed me. ◆
Devotional: The eternal hope of Easter We often think of Easter as a time of hope. Jesus is alive! Death is defeated. He is RISEN!! But how do we live a life of joy and hope when our world is turned upside down, and we’re uncertain what tomorrow will hold?
The Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
It seems the first step for finding hope this Easter season is to stop and reflect on the love that is being offered to us every second of our lives. Jesus is with us, even when our loved ones can’t be. Jesus sees and knows our struggles and fears, and He walks with us through them.
Matthew 28:6 says, “He is not here; He has risen, just as he said…” What life-changing, miraculous words! The grave could not hold Him. His LOVE overcame death. He rose again, victorious! And He loves and sees you, right where you
are. And He is with you.
Our Easter celebrations may look a little different this year, but take heart friends, our God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). May we continue to look forward to celebrating Easter and our Risen Savior as we are reminded that no matter what we’ve been through in the past, what we’re facing today, or what uncertainties tomorrow may bring, Christ alone is our HOPE. He defeated death, He rose from the grave and He makes all things new. Amen! ◆
Employees love and support PMMA mission
Live. Work. Give. Some organizations these three words are mutually exclusive—but not at PMMA. Each and every day, we are blessed by countless individuals who effortlessly blur the lines between work and give.
Emporia Presbyterian Manor recently kicked off an education and awareness program about philanthropy. “Our goal was to grow the love of mission within our employees. The result was outstanding,” says HR director Caitie Steinman. To date, 35 employees have elected to give through payroll deduction verses when we started, there was only one employee giving. The financial impact is important, but equally important is the adoption of a culture of inclusion, empowerment and celebration. Employees are making a difference not only through their unique roles, but through their individual gifts. Executive director, Susan Siepelmeier remarks, “giving is such a joy and this effort allows for deeper connections among employees, residents and the greater community.”
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America employees make a difference through their roles and work, and through their generaous gifts. Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
5
EMPORIA Presbyterian Manor
2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
COVID-19 - continued from page 1
Visitors who meet the end-of-life exception should: • Expect to complete a questionnaire about recent travel, health status and COVID-19 risks. The questionnaire will be signed and dated and kept on file at the community; • Have their temperature taken upon entering the community; • Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, rubbing palms together, cleaning between fingers and the backs of hands; • Utilize hand sanitization stations prior to entering and upon leaving resident rooms;
6
COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2020
• Limit movement within the community to your resident’s room and limit the number of surfaces touched; • Limit physical contact with the resident through social distancing – no hugging, kissing or handshaking – and remain 6 feet apart; • Report to the community any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or acute illness within 14 days after visiting the community. Personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes gloves, masks and gowns, are available as necessary. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact your resident family
members via telephone and email. We have also established electronic communication options. Please contact your local Presbyterian Manor offices for information. This situation continues to change daily, if not more frequently. The most up-to-date information about our COVID-19 response and visitation policies will be posted to our website and our Facebook page. We greatly appreciate your support in our efforts to keep your family members/our residents and community healthy. Sincerely, Your PMMA Team