Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
August 2015
Why you should stop stressing over stress By Jeanne Dorin for Next Avenue
We’ve all heard the bad news. Stress can lead to a panoply of problems, from depression and fatigue to cancer and heart disease, and perhaps, as recent research suggests, premature death. The unrelenting onslaught of information about these dangers can itself create more stress, as we worry about our health and longevity on top of woes over jobs, finances, college-age children with limited job prospects and caring for aged parents. But now comes — at last — news that may bring your anxiety level down a notch or two. Despite research documenting the potential dangers of stress, it is not a foregone conclusion that you will get sick or come down with any of the diseases or ailments associated with this problem. According to Sheldon Cohen, a professor of psychology and director of the Laboratory for the Study of Stress, Immunity and Disease at Carnegie Mellon University, we humans actually have quite a bit of resistance and resilience. “Most people who are stressed out can cope with it,” suggests Cohen. STRESS, continued on page 3
June Kliesen, resident and former teacher Many of you may call June Kliesen a fellow resident or friend. But to many of the nurses here, June is known as their former teacher who helped them work towards their nursing degree in college. June’s career started out in Denver after she graduated from Adam State College in Alamosa, Colo., with a degree in biology. Right out of college and recently married to Gary Kliesen, June worked as a lab tech in Denver at the Children’s Hospital. They then moved to Jackson, Wyo., where she had twins Brenda and Brian. After a couple of cold winters, Gary took June back to his hometown of Dodge City to help his dad run the family business, OK Tire. June waited tables and was a homemaker raising their three children, Joel being born in Dodge. While waiting tables, one of her customers told her about a teaching position that was opening up at Dodge City Community College and encouraged her to apply. She quickly took a class to gain her teaching certification and managed to land the job. For the next 35 years, June was an associate professor at Dodge City Community College teaching microbiology, biology, anatomy and physiology, and math. While there, she also obtained her master’s degree in biology from Fort Hays State University. At DCCC she was involved in many projects, volunteering for sports programs, fundraisers and social events, becoming a well-known and much respected teacher and mentor. What did she love most about teaching? “At the time, it was just going to be a job,” said June. “But over time I grew relationships with the RESIDENT, continued on page 4
Coming up in Community Matters
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How has music been important to you? In an upcoming issue of Community Matters we will be focusing on music and its role in making our lives better. If you’ve got a story about what music has meant to you, contact Marketing Director Kurt Lampe, and your story may be selected for an upcoming Community Matters newsletter.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Jerry Korbe, executive director Kurt Lampe, marketing director Lisa Montoya, activities director Jacque Soltero, health care activities director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kurt at klampe@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-225-1928 Fax: 620-225-3982 Address: 200 Campus Dr., Dodge City, KS 67801-2760
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ManorofthePlains.org
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Community Matters August 2015
Top: Richard Torline at the Barbed Wire Capital of the World in Lacrosse, Kan., was one of the residents on a mystery trip with Jacque Soltero. Above: Carina Soltero, daughter of Jacque Soltero, health care activity director, competed in AAU Gymnastics National Championship in Las Vegas, Nev. Carina placed ninth in her age division. Left: Riley Parsons, son of Wendi Barlow, human resource director at Manor of the Plains, scored big at a Jackpot Roping event in Topeka, Kan. Riley poses here with his daughter, Presley, and the saddle he won.
DONATE YOUR VEHICLE Have an old car taking up space in your driveway? Donate it to Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Support Our Mission Since its very beginning, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America residents have beneeted from private philanthropic gifts. A donation of land helped fund the purchase and development of the rst campus in Newton, Kansas, in the early 1950s. Many donors are carrying forward a tradition of giving that began with family members generations ago. We’ll schedule your free pick-up and you get a tax deduction.
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We Make Donating Easy!
Call (844) 490-GIVE to donate your car today! STRESS, continued from page 1
In his research, Cohen has found that the biggest variable for most people in dealing with stress is the availability of social support systems, which provides the means for individuals to deal with stressors. A meaningful chat with a good pal over a cup of coffee can help reduce stress. “Find something that works for you,” says UCLA geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Helen Lavretsky. Her new book, “Resilience and Aging,” documents how a person’s negative reaction to stress can be offset by enhanced resilience — the ability to bounce back from adversity and maintain individual biological and psychological equilibrium.
“If it’s humor or feeling cozy at home, that’s fine. Joy is essential. Spiritual connections, whether religious or to nature, give people another tool to offload their worries,” she says. Lavretsky, director of the Late Life Stress and Wellness Research Program at the UCLA, says her life
changed after starting yoga, which demonstrated to her the importance of having balance in life. “Don’t worry about how long you will live,” she advises. “Make sure you are healthy and enjoy today. Don’t worry about the sky falling.” Copyright© 2015 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television Inc. Manor of the Plains
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Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
RESIDENT, continued from page 1
Don’t you think it’s time to
feel the music?
Donate headphones, iPods and iTunes cards to Presbyterian Manor’s Music & Memory program for residents. Contact Marketing Director Kurt Lampe for details. 4
Community Matters August 2015
students and faculty. I loved teaching and hated to stop.” In 2014, she was honored by DCCC with the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. Her husband Gary bought out his father and ran OK Tire in Dodge City. But after many years in the tire business, he was looking for a change and bought a cattle ranch near Coldwater, Kan., selling the tire store in Dodge. Gary continued to work as a rancher and June helped keep him “mostly” out of trouble and even did some substitute teaching in the area. At the ranch, she hosted several wildflower tours of the Kansas Native Plant Society, was a board member of the Kiowa County Hospital and worked with two university projects, collecting moths and monitoring a bat colony. She moved to the Manor of the Plains in mid-May.