Commun ty Matters Kansas City Presbyterian Manor
COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:
Everyone has a story to tell
Christmas will be here before we know it, and we’ll be talking about celebrations and traditions in an upcoming issue of Community Matters as we celebrate the holidays. Does your family have a special tradition? Is there a song that immediately conjures up memories of Christmases past? Do you have a memorable Christmas story to share? Contact Tina Ashford, activity director, and your story may be selected to appear in an upcoming Community Matters.
October 2015
Music and Memory project coming to Presbyterian Manor
Few things are more personal than our musical tastes. Favorite songs trigger rich memories and influence our moods. That’s why social worker Dan Cohen launched an effort in 2008 to bring individualized music to residents in long-term care.
Cohen founded the nonprofit Music & Memory, which provides residents in long-term care with iPod personal music players that are loaded with each recipient’s favorite songs.
Kim Fanning, senior vice president education and training for Presbyterian Manors, said all of the PMMA communities are taking advantage of the opportunity. Training sessions for employees took place in July and the program will begin this fall.
“I have music I prefer, and so does everyone,” Fanning said. “It has the benefit of reducing aggressive behavior, improving mood and increasing socialization.”
Kansas City Presbyterian Manor will build up its collection with fundraisers and donation drives, Fanning said.
Then they will rely on volunteers to load each person’s chosen songs onto their music players.
“I see this as intergenerational opportunity and a good volunteer piece, because we have to sustain this program and customize playlists,” Fanning said. She said some Manor communities already are reaching out to residents in independent living to help other residents set up their players. And she thinks it would be a good opportunity for teens to earn community service credit for school.
Thinkstock photo
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Cards That Offer Better Words for a Serious Illness If you have ever had cancer or another serious illness, you can probably make a long list of unhelpful things that friends, family and well-meaning acquaintances have said to you. “Everything happens for a reason.” “I read about this miraculous new treatment on the Internet!”
“Oh, I knew someone who had that same thing and they died.”
Emily McDowell, a cancer survivor, has heard them all. In response, the Los Angeles graphic designer came up with a set of eight “Empathy Cards” to be used when traditional “get well” cards just don’t work. She launched
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Kansas City Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org Peatric Gates, executive director Tina Ashford, activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Tina at tashford@pmma.org. Telephone: 913-334-3666 Fax: 913-334-2904 Address: 7850 Freeman, Kansas City, KS 66112-2133 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. KansasCityPresbyterianManor.org
2 COMMUNITY MATTERS OCTOBER 2015
them May 2015. Another set is due out in December 2015.
A Terrifying Diagnosis
McDowell learned 15 years ago, at age 24, that she had Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.
“The most difficult part of my illness wasn’t losing my hair, or being erroneously called ‘sir’ by Starbucks baristas, or sickness from chemo,” she said on her company’s website. “It was the loneliness and isolation I felt when
many of my close friends and family members disappeared because they didn’t know what to say, or said the absolute wrong thing without realizing it.” Coming Up Empty
To be fair, it is hard to know what to say. When we see friends and loved ones suffering, we want to help. But most of the greeting cards in stores either make a joke of illness or suggest that someone “get well” when the recipient is terminally ill. McDowell said she knew there was a need for what she was doing. She calls empathy cards “the most important things I’ve designed so far.”
By Emily Gurnon for Next Avenue © Twin Cities Public Television - 2015.
2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions.
Kansas City Presbyterian Manor is one of the sponsors for the walk, Oct. 4 at Corporate Woods, 9401 Indian Creek Parkway, Building #40, Overland Park. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. There is a 1-mile route and a 3-mile route.
The Kansas City Presbyterian Manor is forming a team to walk together, and all residents, staff and family members are encouraged to attend.You can register in advance at act.alz.org, or at the event. There is no cost to register, but a donation is appreciated. Contact Tina Ashford for more information at 316334-3666.
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America announces Art is Ageless® winners
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America has announced the winners of its annual, system-wide Art is Ageless® competition, which features entries by artists age 65 and older throughout Kansas and Missouri.
One winning artist in Kansas City Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will join nearly 50 senior artists from Kansas and Missouri whose work will be featured in the 2016 Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.
Local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winners from 17 other PMMA campuses. The winners of the masterpiece level competition are featured in the annual Art is Ageless Calendar and notecards.
“Landscape,” by Ethel Patterson, will appear in the 2016 Art is Ageless calendar.
Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Artists not interested in competition
Landscape, by Ethel Patterson, will appear in the 2016 Art is Ageless calendar.
were invited to enter the Art is Ageless exhibit only.
The Art is Ageless program includes art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions on PMMA campuses throughout the year.
To be eligible for PMMA’s masterpiece level competition, artists entered a juried competition at one
of 18 Presbyterian Manor communities in Kansas and Missouri. The 2016 Art is Ageless calendar and notecard artwork will include amateur and professional entries selected from winning entries in nine categories.
For more information about Art is Ageless, visit www.ArtIsAgeless.org.
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OCTOBER EVENTS:
OCTOBER 9 – 2 p.m., Monthly Birthday Entertainment “Note Worthy� in the Chapel
OCTOBER 28 – New Dinner Theatre Outing
OCTOBER 28, 29 & 30 – Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest -Winner Announced Friday, October 30 at 2 p.m. Halloween Party
OCTOBER 30 – 2 p.m. Halloween Party & Costume Contest in Chapel
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MUSIC continued from page 1
In spite of its name, Fanning said the Music & Memory program isn’t limited to residents in memory care. Once enough players are available, any resident will be welcome to plug in and play the music they love best—whether that’s Beethoven, Count Basie or the Beatles. To assist Kansas City Presbyterian Manor with building up its supply of iPods, headphones and iTunes cards, contact Tina Ashford at 913-3343666.