Emporia Presbyterian Manor
JULY 2020
Venda Doxon enjoys connecting with her daughters on video chats.
Technology brings residents and families together during pandemic Environmental Services Director Claude Williamson
Presbyterian Manor feels the love While living through COVID-19 has been a challenging and stressful time for everyone, we are especially grateful for so many individuals who have reached out to provide support throughout the pandemic. “We have had many family members and friends step forward and help during this pandemic to make masks, give financially, send letters, pray for our campus and so much more. We truly appreciate each and every individual for their assistance,” said Crystal Stock, marketing director. One individual who has made a positive impact over the past few months is resident and resident council member Lorraine Morton. With other residents donating fabric, elastic, and their time, Lorraine sewed close to 200 masks for Presbyterian Manor employees. LOVE- continued on page 2
Even though residents have been restricted from having family and friends visit during the pandemic, technology is making face-to-face time possible, keeping connections safe and meaningful. Resident Babs Pontius hasn’t seen her daughter, Nancy Pontius, in person since the first week of March. To stay connected, Babs and Nancy are communicating through a combination of FaceTime video chats, window visits and mailed care packages. “I’ve done our FaceTime calls on my phone so I could take it around with me. I walked through TECH - continued on page 2
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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LOVE- continued from page 1
“I saw a need and I couldn’t do anything or go anywhere. Gayla Browning cut them for me and then I sewed them up. “I sewed the main part together as a chain, like quilters do their block, then I put them together and put the elastic in them. I think I can do five in one day. And Gayla could cut them out faster than I could sew,” said Lorraine.
social distancing. The biggest challenge was running out of fabric. “I’m looking at ordering more cotton fabric online to make a few more. My goal is to make some masks for residents. I wouldn’t sell them, just give them out,” said Lorraine. Thank you to everyone who is working hard to keep us healthy! ◆ Administrative Assistant Lori Maxson
The project was easy to do while
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whole thing for the residents. It’s a win-win,” said Janelle.
continue after visitation restrictions have been lifted.
my house and she was able to see my dogs, which she loves. I went outside on my patio and showed her my flowers I had planted and that made her very happy.
While Harold can’t see well anymore and has a hearing impairment, having the FaceTime call on an iPad allows him to have a larger picture to see better. “He was really receptive to that and it makes him really happy,” said Janelle.
“I would love to be able to keep this for those who live outside of town. It’s opened up a window of hope and ability to see the person you’re talking to. To be able to say, ‘look how great dad looks.’ They’re special moments,” said Maria.
Maria Lane, director of social services, has seen the benefits first-hand of how technology keeps loved ones connected.
To set up a call with a loved one, contact Maria at 620-343-2613. ◆
Next time I might take her out to show her the front of my house that I’ve been working on. Doing this brings back things and makes her look like she’s out and about almost,” said Nancy. Resident Harold Stevenson has also stayed in touch with his daughter, Janelle Andrews, via FaceTime. “It’s the next best thing to visiting in person. I think it’s critically important and critically important as well to integrate the family. That component is really part of the
“Even when residents get a phone call it’s not the same as interacting and seeing the face on the screen. Doing that and the patio visits is very rewarding for them,” said Maria. This way of connecting is something Maria hopes to see
Babs Pontius on a video chat with her daughter Nancy.
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EMPORIA Presbyterian Manor 620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 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) organization.
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.
Nurses work tirelessly to serve residents No matter what shift our nursing staff work, our nurses are the best of the best! And while we celebrate their commitment to our residents and the Presbyterian Manor mission each and every day, we recently planned a few extra events to show our appreciation to them.
In early May, we handed out special tumblers to all nurses on staff during National Nurses Week. We then combined National Nurses Week with National Have a Coke Day for a fun afternoon providing popcorn and pop as treats for all staff.
Later in the month we celebrated National Third Shift Workers Day by providing breakfast burritos and orange juice for our night shift crew when their shift ended at 6 a.m.
Third-shift workers, from left, Ashley Garcia, CMA/CNA; Misty Davis, Charge LPN; Kay Cargill, CNA; Jenn Santillana, CNA; and Allyce Burris, CNA.
Rachael Bolinger, CMA
Mackenzie Loar, CMA
Betty Lauppe, LPN
Leana Smart, CNA
Carol Acklin, transportation aide, CNA
Thank you for everything you do for our residents and staff! â—†
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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EMPORIA Presbyterian Manor
2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6635 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 updates continue
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. Get the latest information about visitation and restrictions on deliveries and learn more about PMMA’s infection control efforts to contain COVID-19 across the PMMA system. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020