Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
Mary’s Musings By Mary Bridges, chaplain JANUARY 2022
Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor earns zero deficiencies on assisted living survey Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor had zero deficiencies on its annual assisted living licensing survey conducted by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). “Achieving zero deficiencies on an annual survey is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Sarah Griggs, executive director. “I am so proud of this team’s hard work and dedication to our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. It is our staff’s commitment to our mission and residents that led to a deficiency-free community.” Senior living communities are surveyed regularly by their licensing agency for compliance of regulations established to ensure a standard of care is met. These regulations, which number in the hundreds, are designed to ensure resident health and safety. By meeting this standard, senior living communities are able to renew their licenses and continue to provide care. Surveys are conducted on average every 18 months. The surveyors look at every aspect of a resident’s life, from dietary choices to dental care; from frequency of physician visits to ease of access to their mail. “Being recognized as a deficiency-free community demonstrates our staff’s compassion and desire to make Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor a place our residents are honored to call home,” Griggs said. The achievement by Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor places the senior living community in the top tier of survey performances in Kansas. For more information about Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, visit the website at ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org or contact Whitley Stokes, marketing director, at 620-442-8700 or wstokes@pmma.org. u
Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we are featuring a column from a PMMA® chaplain regularly in our newsletter. This month’s featured column comes from Mary Bridges, chaplain at Salina Presbyterian Manor.
There is nothing permanent except change. — Heraclitus When I ponder the meaning of life, I always conclude that life is another word for change. As my mother grew older, we often debated about change. She would tell me it was hard. I would respond with my belief that when we initiate a change it is much easier to accept than when we have to change due to circumstances beyond our control. What’s real is that change is constant. With every ending, there is a beginning. God is with us not only in our beginnings and in our endings but in every moment in-between. The church recognizes this by calling God and Jesus the Alpha and the Omega. If we were to draw a straight line with the Alpha at one end and the
Change – continued on page 2 Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Change – continued from page 1 Omega at the other, we could use it to represent the events of our lives. If we take this timeline and form it into a circle, rather than being at opposite ends, the Alpha and Omega are side by side. The end is now the beginning, and the beginning is now the end. It becomes the circle of life. In a circle, there is no beginning or ending. These overlapping symbols of the Alpha and the Omega can be seen as a sign of God’s presence among us. Beginnings and endings are always happening. As one moment ends and another begins, we can know that God is there. God is at both in the beginning and the ending of our personal “circles of life,” and that is what really matters.
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Each new year is like starting a new chapter in our lives. My prayer for each of us is simple: “May the words of Advent follow us into 2022, as we live as a people who are guided by hope, peace, joy and love in this year and forever more.” AMEN. u
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Community Matters 620-442-8700 ◆ Fax: 620-442-8224 1711 N. Fourth St. Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: wstokes@pmma.org. Sarah Griggs, executive director Whitley Stokes, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Residents share perks of assisted living For some, making the move to assisted living signals the loss of independence. But for residents of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, assisted living means increased peace of mind, an improved quality of life and a slew of additional amenities— all while still maintaining their own independence. “I am very independent, but sometimes I need a little help,” said assisted living resident Mary Martin. “I like Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor because I am still able to have my freedoms and make my own choices as if I were in the independent level of care—I just get that extra assistance if I need it.”
Assisted living resident Dorothy Decker
Assisted living resident Mary Martin
Assisted living resident Dick Watson
Assisted living resident Kathleen Walker
“I like the food!” said Kathleen. “We get good meals every day and it’s wonderful because I am not a cook. I also enjoy that we go on trips to different cities from time to time. I no longer drive so having them take us to see various places is great.”
available at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, it’s hard for some residents to find even one thing they don’t like about living in the community.
For resident Kathleen Walker, moving into assisted living at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor meant both a boost in her social life and an increased sense of security. “I lived in the country and was away from everyone. I like that now I can see my friends and have assistance whenever I need it,” said Kathleen. Dorothy Decker, who has been a resident at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor since 2015 and has been in assisted living since 2019, says she also enjoys the social interaction she gets from living within the community. “I enjoy the close bond that we have with one another. We talk about the news and have our meals together … and the food is great here; lots of options and they can make it just how you want it,” said Dorothy. Kathleen agrees.
But while Kathleen likes the opportunity to get out and explore, assisted living resident Dick Watson likes the fact that the community offers a wide variety of services just steps from his apartment. “It is so nice to get a haircut without even leaving the building,” said Dick. In fact, thanks to all of the amenities
“What’s not to like? They handle your laundry and meals and the apartments are nice,” said Mary. “Living in assisted living just suits me, it feels like home, and I like how all the employees are always helpful.” To learn more about assisted living at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, or to schedule a tour, contact Whitley Stokes at 620-442-8700 or wstokes@pmma.org. u
Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2022