Commun ty Matters Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
May 2015
Older Americans Month 2015: ‘Get into the Act’ Older adults are a vital part of our society. Since 1963, communities across the country have shown their gratitude by celebrating Older Americans Month each May. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Get into the Act,” to focus on how older adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities, and making a positive impact in the lives of others. By promoting and engaging in activity, wellness, and inclusivity, more Americans than ever before can “Get into the Act.” While Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica campuses provides quality senior services guided by Christian values to older adults year-round, Older Americans Month offers an opportunity to emphasize how older adults can access the home- and community-based services they need to live independently in their communities. It is also an occasion to highlight how older adults are engaging with and making a difference in those communities. Throughout the month,Lawrence Presbyterian Manor will be conducting activities designed to highlight the contributions of seniors to the greater community.
Flex time
Yoga helps residents gain strength, flexibility and balance Audrey Mortensen is no stranger to keeping active. She grew up on a farm and is an avid walker today. But her daughter kept encouraging her to try yoga, too. Mortensen thought she would probably enjoy it, but she couldn’t quite find time in her schedule to take a class in town. That changed this spring when Lawrence Presbyterian Manor partnered with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to offer a yoga class on the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor campus. Mortensen is one of five students attending the weekly class, and there’s room for more. “You can find muscles you didn’t know needed exercise,” she said. “I YOGA, continued on page 2
Campus website gets a facelift We are proud to announce the release levels and living options. of our newly redesigned website at LawrencePresbyterianManor.org. • Floor plans - you can now view floor plans for independent and assisted living residences online. It has been crafted to reflect the wants and needs of our site visitors. • Resources - you’ll find a variety of resources to assist you with You will immediately notice researching and deciding on a the streamlined menus, simple senior living community.You’ll navigation and access to the even discover your next steps to information you need, 24 hours a becoming a Lawrence Presbyterian day. Manor resident! Three things you’ll love about our We will be continually expanding new website now: our online content to bring you • Homepage - at a glance, you’ll updated and relevant information, find contact information and direct so we encourage you to bookmark it access to information about our care and check back often.
Start exploring: • Learn about upcoming events and activities on campus. • Discover tools to help you evaluate senior living communities. • Read about our residents. Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.
YOGA, continued from page 1
figure I’m 84, I need to keep limber. Like they say, move it or lose it.”
Community Matters
Instructor Mary Ann Saunders says yoga is one of the best ways older adults can strengthen their bodies to prevent falls and other injuries. “With everybody, but especially older folks, I do a little bit of balancing every time,” Saunders said.
Rhonda Parks, executive director Angela Fonseca, marketing and administrative services director
Saunders just began teaching classes for the city, but she has been practicing and teaching yoga for about 40 years. She was introduced to it after injuring her back in a college dance troupe.
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.
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
2
Community Matters May 2015
Yoga isn’t about doing crazy contortions, Saunders said – it’s about learning to listen to your body and work within its abilities to grow stronger. One of the first things she teaches is how to get up
from the floor. She also shows her students stretches and positions they can do anywhere, while talking on the phone or waiting in line. “If they can get in habit of forcing themselves to stand up every 30 minutes and do a couple stretches, that’s great,” Saunders said. “You don’t have to change your clothes; these are just a couple things that are easy to do.” Ever since Mortensen slipped a disc 20 years ago, she said, she has kept up with daily exercises for her back. She was surprised to find many yoga exercises were nearly the same thing. Mortensen encourages other residents to give the class a try and know that they can go at their own pace. “I think it’s going to be helpful for the whole rest of my life,” she said.
5 steps to combat and prevent elder abuse 5 million Americans are affected by some form of elder abuse each year By Liza Kaufman Hogan
Not long ago, my aunt, who is in her 80s, was the victim of financial exploitation by an in-home health aide. It started with trips to the drugstore and small loans. Before long, the caregiver was regularly taking my aunt and her credit card to department stores to purchase clothes and other items — not for my aunt.
intended to help people and organizations recognize, prevent and address the abuse and exploitation of older adults. One in every 10 people over 60 who lives at home suffers some form of abuse, neglect or exploitation, the report says. Those with dementia are far more likely to be abused or neglected by caregivers.
Eventually, a clerk noticed what was going on and alerted security and our family. By then, however, my aunt was out hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars. No charges were filed, but the caregiver was dismissed.
Contrary to popular belief, older adults are more likely to suffer abuse at the hands of their own family members than by a paid caregiver, according to Laura Mosqueda, a geriatrician and director of the National Center on Elder Abuse at University of California Irvine who served on the Elder Justice Roadmap steering committee.
According to The Elder Justice Roadmap, a report just released by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, my aunt is one of 5 million Americans affected by some form of elder abuse each year (physical or mental abuse, neglect or financial exploitation). Most families, like ours, don’t report such abuses to authorities; only one in 24 do, according to the study. A Widespread Problem The Elder Justice Roadmap is
5 Steps for Combating and Preventing Abuse The 40-page report, based on interviews with more than 750 experts and professionals who work with older adults, recommends specific action in these five areas: 1. Awareness The report calls for an increase in public awareness of elder abuse — a multi-faceted problem that requires a holistic,
well-coordinated response in services, education, policy and research. 2. Brain health It also wants to see more research into brain health, with an enhanced focus on cognitive capacity (and incapacity) and mental health. These are critical factors both for elder abuse victims and for perpetrators. 3. Caregiving There should be better support and training for the tens of millions of paid and unpaid caregivers who play a critical role in preventing elder abuse. 4. Economics The authors want to see the costs of elder abuse quantified, particularly because this national problem includes huge fiscal costs to victims, families and society. 5. Resources The report says the nation needs to strategically invest more resources in services, education, research and expanding knowledge in order to reduce elder abuse in America. Copyright© 2014 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television, Inc.
Tulips help grow Good Samaritan Program Colorful paper tulips – each representing a gift to the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care – are adding to the spring decorations at PMMA’s senior living communities. Prior donors received a mailing in April, inviting a gift in honor or tribute to a special woman in their lives. A paper tulip was included. The tulip may be returned, with the gift, to the PMMA campus of the donor’s choice. Tulips will be displayed through May. The Good Samaritan Program assists PMMA residents who have run out of funds through no fault of their own. To make a gift and hang a tulip, contact your local PMMA campus.
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
3
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor 1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 Return Service Requested
Coming Up in Community Matters In a future issue of Community Matters, we will be focusing on summer travel. Were you a summer traveler? Do you have a great vacation story or travel story to tell? Contact marketing and administrative services director Angela Fonseca with your story, you may be selected to share in an upcoming Community Matters.
4
Community Matters May 2015
Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit
LawrencePresbyterianManor.org
and enter your email address in the newsletter sign-up box. It’s that easy!