Commun ty Matters Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
June 2015
All about June How much do you really know about the month of June? We all know it’s the sixth month of the year, and thanks to counting knuckles and fun rhymes, we know it has 30 days. Dads across America know it’s the month to get yet another tie for Father’s Day. Here are a few tidbits to sharpen your June knowledge: June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. It also has the longest daylight hours of the year. The Junebug, also known as the June beetle, is the name for several large beetles seen in the United States during May and June. They are usually seen at night when the light attracts them. Interesting observances: • International Men’s Month • National Seafood Month • National Candy Month • National Dairy Month • National Iced Tea Month • Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is June 21 JUNE, continued on page 5
Gardening is in my soul Editor’s Note: In a recent newsletter, we asked residents to share their stories of gardening and outdoor living. Here are Dottie Daugherty’s memories in her own words. By Dottie Daugherty, resident
When I was a child, summers were spent on my Aunt Lois and Uncle Zoom’s farm outside of Ithaca, N.Y. With their six children, my sister, and another cousin, it was a full house with a chore system for all. Each morning, tasks were meted out at breakfast. I frequently was asked to watch the baby, still in the crib or carriage. Louie, the eldest, often was assigned to weed the big vegetable garden. He “convinced” me to trade jobs, so he could sit on the sun porch using his foot on the handle of the carriage to rock the baby while he read a Western. What he didn’t know is that I enjoyed pulling weeds and seeing the long rows of carrots, radishes, etc. emerge from the tangle of weeds. He ended up changing diapers! So, you can see from this little confession DOTTIE, continued on page 2
DOTTIE, continued from page 1
that I was probably born with gardening in my soul. It is still there. When Don and I bought our first home in Lawrence, we went to work on the landscape. Trees were planted, gardens were created, and my hands were once again in the soil. Kansas presented problems unlike the ones in northern climes, but I worked hard to improve the soil and learn the variations in the climate. Enjoying the results despite fighting clay and chiggers made it worthwhile. In 1988, I was in the second Master Gardener class in Douglas County. I met and made friends with other
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Rhonda Parks, executive director Angela Fonseca, marketing and administrative services director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact afonseca@ pmma.org. Telephone: 785-841-4262 Fax: 785-841-0923 Address: 1429 Kasold Dr., Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. LawrencePresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters June 2015
gardeners and learned important information from the K-State faculty, who taught our sessions. The number of people in the program at the time was small. One way I fulfilled my volunteer obligation was weeding the Extension gardens (of course). The Master Gardener coordinator knocked on my door one day with an application in her hand. The administrative assistant at the Extension office had resigned, and she wanted me to apply. I worked there for 12 years, then retired. It was an ideal job for someone who loves to garden. Not only did I continue to learn from the staff and other gardeners, I used my lunch hour to — you guessed it — weed the gardens! When we sold our house in the fall of 1993, I inserted in the sales contract a stipulation that I could return in the spring and move some of the plants to my new garden.
Before I transferred them, a space needed to be prepared at the new location. With the help of a friend with a tiller, we ripped out an area of grass 5 feet by 75 feet and added sheep manure. The treasured plants, many given to me by dear friends, were moved. Weather permitting, I spent most of my free time in that garden. Friends ask me if I miss the house; I reply, “I miss the garden.” Presbyterian Manor has lovely trees, shrubs and flowers, and birds flock to my feeders. That adds to my enjoyment of nature. The small garden area outside my door is in its infancy, with a crop of daffodils planted last fall adding to the cheer and plans forming in my mind for additions. My knees, you can be sure, are thankful for the smaller space and fewer weeding sessions. Louie, did you ever figure out that you didn’t “hoodwink” this little cousin at all?
When should you step in to help your parents? By Eileen Beal, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging A parent may ask for the occasional favor, but most won’t ask for help around the house or with their daily activities, even when they need it, says Alberta Chokshi, a social worker and director of quality improvement for Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. Chokshi, who has been working with families for 40 years, says that instead of seeking help, it’s typical for elderly parents to adapt and adjust their activities and routines. They do household chores more slowly (or not at all). They may use adaptive devices, such as a cane or a reacher or a magnifying glass. Perhaps they’ve lined up someone to pick them up for errands and appointments. And — often just to please their children — they will wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. What Our Parents Don’t Admit But they usually aren’t admitting — especially to their adult children — that they tend to drop heavy pots, trip on the basement steps, are confused about when to take their medications or back into things with the car. They don’t think it’s any of their kids’ business. Or, they are in denial about what’s going on.
They may resist accepting that familial roles are starting to reverse and that they need to step in, either helping a parent themselves or lining up support. If you’re guilty of denial, it’s time for you to take a hard look around for the telltale signs that things aren’t going well for a parent or loved one. Don’t just look for safety and health troubles, Chokshi advises. Look for things that could point to problems with how a parent is functioning on a daily basis, and also check on whether companionship and socialization needs are being met. Try to check out the whole physical, emotional and psychological picture. Also, look for indicators that your parent’s spiritual needs are being met. Many older adults have had very strong and active affiliations with their religious organizations and it’s important for them to keep those up. What To Look For The following are incidents/ situations/observations to be on the lookout for and, where appropriate, question a parent about: • Falls, accidents and bruises • Difficulty getting up from a seated position or with walking, balance and mobility
Denial isn’t all on the parents’ side. Adult children are often deep in it, too.
• A decline in housekeeping and house maintenance (dishes piled in the sink, dirty floors, broken railings, drippy faucets, dirty walls, etc.)
They don’t want to admit that a parent is declining and needs help.
• A noticeable decline in grooming, dress and personal care
Try To See The Big Picture
• Unexplained weight loss (or gain) • Inability to recognize or react to danger • A falloff in socializing, getting out or visiting (often due to a shrinking social network) • Loss of interest in hobbies and activities • Forgetting to take medications — or taking more than the prescribed dosage • Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar tasks Keep in mind that some problems could be due to an illness or be related to medications being taken (or not taken). So, sometimes a visit to the doctor is a good first step in assessing needs. Another scenario to be aware of when self-care and other habits change — it could indicate the onset of Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. If a parent is diagnosed with dementia, adult children need to be more watchful, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they have to step in with help right at that moment. Navigating the maze of eldercare options can be challenging. Copyright© 2014 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
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Now is a great time to flex your moving muscles! Thanks to a housing market that’s heating up this spring, more and more buyers are looking for homes. It’s prime time to look at your living choices — including a move to Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. Here, you’ll enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle coupled with a variety of amenities so you can enjoy a more carefree future.
Right now and for a very limited time, you could enjoy significant savings on your residency plan options AND receive an allowance for moving expenses! This offer expires June 30, so call 785-813-1970 today to learn about all our Spring Savings.* *Specials applicable to independent living and only assisted living private-pay prospects.
Lawrence
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Community Matters June 2015
JUNE, continued from page 1
Anniversaries: • The Magna Carta was granted by King John on June 15, 1215. • De Soto claimed Florida for Spain on June 3, 1539. • The Continental Congress adopted the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777.
Top: Lawrence Presbyterian Manor hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation reception April 30. Left: Becky’s Garden is located near the assisted living entrance at Presbyterian Manor. When the first residents moved into Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, they brought with them many flowers and plants to create a garden area. After many years of residents tending to the garden area, staff took over the care. In 2000, through generous donations, a permanent garden was created. Residents, family members and guests enjoy a wonderfully landscaped seating area.
Upcoming event: Summer Osher Class The Life and Work of Leonard Bernstein - Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) led one of the most distinctive careers in the history of American music, bridging the gap between classical and popular music and serving as one of our nation’s most talented commentators on various aspects of the art. This course will explore his work as a composer of both classical works and Broadway musicals, his status as the first American-born and Americantrained conductor with an international reputation, his reputation as a pianist, and his many educational activities including television broadcasts, concerts for young people, writing and lecturing.
• Congress adopted the design for the Great Seal of the United States on June 20, 1782. • Eli Whitney applied for a patent on the cotton gin, June 20, 1793. • The YMCA was organized in London on June 6, 1844. • Charles Goodyear was granted a patent for rubber vulcanization, June 15, 1844. • Daniel Carter Beard, founder of Boy Scouts of America, was born on June 21, 1850. • President Andrew Johnson announced the purchase of Alaska from Russia, June 20, 1867. • The Ford Motor Company was founded on June 16, 1903.
Tuesdays, June 16, 23 & 30 • 2 to 4 p.m. Lawrence Presbyterian Manor Instructor is Paul Laird, Ph.D., professor of musicology at KU, who has been widely published on musical history topics. Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
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Lawrence Presbyterian Manor 1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 Return Service Requested
Coming Up in Community Matters Everyone has a story to tell... We’ll be talking about education in an upcoming edition of Community Matters. Were you a teacher or a school administrator? Do you have fond memories of what school was like when you were young? Are you amazed at the changes in schools now that your grandchildren and great-grandchildren are attending?
If you’d like to share your thoughts or memories, contact marketing director Angela Fonseca and your story may be selected for inclusion in an upcoming Community Matters newsletter.
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Community Matters June 2015
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