Emporia Presbyterian Manor
Moments define a life FEBRUARY 2022
Tips for online safety Whether you use your phone, tablet or computer to surf the internet or conduct business online, it is important that you take proper precautions to protect your identity and financial resources. To help, AARP has outlined the following online safety guidelines. 1. Choose unique passwords Avoid using common passwords (“1,2,3,4,5” or “password”) or your name, your spouse’s name, your address or your birthday as those are easily guessed and can compromise your accounts. 2. Confirm website addresses when shopping online If you’re shopping at Target for example, be sure that the address in your internet browser is www.target.com. If not, you may have been redirected to a fake site. 3. Use credit cards rather than debit cards for online shopping If you use a major credit card when shopping online, it is often much easier to report a problem or be reimbursed for fraud. 4. Be careful what you post on social media Avoid posting sensitive personal information that can be used to conduct identity theft or determine your physical whereabouts. 5. Customize security settings on your phone or tablet If available, set a password to unlock your device or set it to recognize your face to avoid others from accessing your information if it is ever left unattended. For more tips and information about online safety, pick up AARP’s book, “My Online Privacy for Seniors.” u
By Greg Schmidt, Chaplain
NOTE: Each month, we feature a column from one of PMMA’s community chaplains in honor of our faith-based roots. This month, we’re featuring Greg Schmidt, chaplain for Heart & Soul Hospice in Wichita and Newton Presbyterian Manor. Have you noticed that every Hallmark movie follows the same basic algorithm? Here’s how it goes: A princessdamsel presents with some sort of professional or social dilemma. In walks a socially awkward, wannabe prince-hero who demonstrates the desire to provide support or answers. His advances are, of course, rebuffed. A second “Captain Obvious” prince-snob rises to the challenge, but in his rush to care for the princess, manifests an arrogant, superior, you-know-you-need-me spirit. While at first the princess foolishly longs for the attention of Captain Obvious, ever so slowly over the course of the movie she falls in love with Mr. Wannabe’s cute little nerdy self. They finally kiss (it never happens until the end). The rocket’s red glare engulfs the sky. And they live happily ever after in Mayberry. Or is that Whoville?
Memories – continued on page 3
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Emporia campus shares customer service survey responses
Emporia 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 graphic above 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 December 2020 and November 2021, Emporia Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in cleanliness, dining services, providing safety and security, and demonstrating dignity and respect. “I would encourage them to come when there’s an opening as it’s so nice here,” a respondent said. “I feel like I am at home again. I
would tell them to find a place here right away. They would be really happy.” 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
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Community Matters 620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6635 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2022
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: ataber@PMMA.org Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Andraya Taber, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Memories – continued from page 1 My response to Hallmark’s oversimplification is best stated by Remy, the Disney character in the movie “Ratatouille” who said, “The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability.” Real life is not simple. Or predictable. It has to be understood over the course of years, not moments. Who knew that the trick to life is living long enough to view unpredictability as your friend? Having said that, it is the “moments” – all added together – that define the life! When family and friends gather for funeral or memorial services, they recount a lifetime of moments otherwise known as “the dash.” The “dash” is that symbol on a tombstone that is centered between the birth and the death. I’m sure your family is like mine and exactly what we remember about someone’s “dash” may differ from person to person, which makes total sense to me, since none of us approach the exact same story or experience at the exact same time, perspective or history. For example, seven members of my wife’s family tried to remember their Grandma Honey’s Christmas tree. We’re talking about 30-50-year-old memories here! And guess what? There were seven strongly held “I specifically remember …” perspectives. Some remembered
a silver tinsel tree illuminated by a multi-colored rotating disc (ahh, the 60s!). Still others remembered a pink flocked tree (ahh, the 70s!). Who was right? They all were! What had to be figured out was what time period was being remembered and/or discussed, because at some point throughout their collective childhood experiences she had both! The greatest joy of being a Hospice Chaplain and a Heart & Soul Hospice Team member is helping families remember – and celebrate! – their loved one’s “dash”! When disputes arise among family members, I try and remind those willing to listen that it really doesn’t matter who is “right” … and that it’s still quite possible no one is “wrong.” Why? Because our memories are about what is precious and inspirational to us individually! Such memories
become our foundational and motivational reflections about those we’ve loved. Why is that important? Because all of us want our lives and the lives of those we’ve loved to matter! We want our cherished memories to be about living, not dying … even … or especially when … we’re dying! So, we search for joy and seek to eradicate pain! We look for promise and hope and peace. And, even when we’re vulnerable, we open our lives to unpredictable people, places, and things hoping they’ll enable us to look up and onward to the things that last forever! Just like in a Hallmark movie when everything turns out for the greater good in the end, so goes the life of promise found in God and in the love found in His people! NEVER let love die! Find joy in other people’s memories! Give it away! Daily! u
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Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Matters of the heart February may be best known for heart-shaped candies and valentines, but it is also a month to recognize the importance of overall heart health. Designated “American Heart Month” by the American Heart Association, February is a time to raise awareness about heart disease—the number one cause of death in the United States. Heart health is especially important in our current environment as people with poor cardiovascular health are at an increased risk of severe illness related to COVID-19. Some simple things you can do to improve your heart health include:
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Monitor your blood pressure and other heart-related numbers Eat a diet consisting of a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy sources of protein (legumes, nuts, fish and low-fat or non-fat dairy) Exercise Manage your stress Aim for a healthy weight Don’t smoke Get a good night’s sleep
To learn more, visit heart.org.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2022