Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
February 2019
Art is Ageless® call for entries now underway Manor of the Plains has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held March 1820, 2019. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2020 Art is Ageless calendar. Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2014). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by February 28. AIA, continued on page 4
Patricia Stanley, Alician Schmidt and Dot Myers enjoy coloring and each other’s company.
Coloring club fills a void Dona Wallace loved doing little things to keep her mind sharp— crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles—and above all—coloring. In fact, she loved coloring so much that she started her own club. Sadly, Dona passed away before she could attend a meeting, but thanks to her granddaughter, Leah Kerbs, her coloring club lives on. “After she passed, I felt like I wanted to keep it going … to keep her spark through coloring alive,” said Leah. So now, on the first and third Friday of each month, Leah and her mom Tammie, round up supplies from Dona’s personal stash and head to the community. The crowd that gathers for the coloring club ranges from 15 to 20 residents and new participants are always stopping by—especially when they hear that there are snacks involved. COLORING, continued on page 2
COLORING, continued from page 1
“‘We’ve heard you make snacks,’ is what we sometimes hear,” said Leah. “They’ll come for the snacks and then stay for coloring or just hang out and talk.” An additional attraction for the residents is Leah’s children—a kindergartener and a one-yearold—who frequently accompany her.
“The staff has been so great in supporting us in this and helping get residents there or whatever we need during club. They’ve been really encouraging, which is nice. I felt awkward at first because I didn’t have any family there,” said Leah. “I feel like it’s definitely something that’s building relationships all around—with staff and residents.” Looking at what the club has become, Leah has no doubts that her grandma would be pleased.
“They love the kids being there,” said Leah. “Little kids just bring life.” “She would love it! This is totally her thing,” said Leah. “She was always The club has been such a hit, and active and social and doing things for its calming effect on the residents and with others!” is so noticeable by staff, that club meetings have been extended from If you would like to participate in 30 minutes to a full hour. It’s that “Dona’s Coloring Club,” the club’s kind of encouragement that has kept next meeting will be at 10 a.m. on Leah going. February 15.
Above: Dona’s Coloring Club meets the first and third Friday of every month. Below: Residents enjoy a recent coloring club meeting. From left, Josie Mercado, Leah Kerb and Agnes Rabe.
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.
Michael Rajewski, executive director Kurt Lampe, marketing director Lisa Montoya, activity assistant Jacque Soltero, health care activity 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 February 2019
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Medicare Advantage enrollment This year, 2019, is a huge year for Medicare beneficiaries. There will be many changes and most of them are beneficial. In 2010, lawmakers did away with the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans. The 21st Century Cures Act means that now they are bringing it back, starting January 1.
If you’re Medicare eligible and enrolled in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, you need to make changes to your Part D Prescription Drug plan during the Annual Election Period (AEP) October 15 through December 7 of every year.
This Open Enrollment Period began Beneficiaries need to on January 1 and will end March 31. know
of coverage.
During this time beneficiaries get a one-time opportunity to change from Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan. You could also disenroll for the Medicare Advantage program all together and switch to Traditional Medicare.
Each year by September 30, Medicare Advantage plan recipients receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC) from their existing insurance carrier for their Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription drug plan providers.
If you have 30 quarters of coverage you may buy into Part A at a lowered monthly fee, which would be $240 in 2019, an $8 increase.
Return of the open enrollment period
As a Medicare recipient in Missouri or Kansas, the best thing you can do is make changes during AEP, changes that you’ll be pleased with for the following year.
The Part A deductible increased by $24, for a total of $1,340 in 2019.
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period will replace the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP) that used to be from January 1 until February 14. The new Medicare changes of 2019 will make possible changing from the subpar Medicare Advantage plan to a more suitable plan. During the enrollment period, beneficiaries will get a one-time opportunity to change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.You may also disenroll for the Medicare Advantage program all together and switch to Traditional Medicare, with or without a Part D Prescription Drug plan. Like us on Facebook
Part A premium increases Approximately 99 percent of beneficiaries won’t have to pay a Medicare Part A premium. You should notice an increase if: • If you have fewer than 40 quarters of employment or you’re disabled. Anyone that has exhausted other entitlement will pay the full premium, which increased by $15. The new premium is $437 a month for 2019. • If you had a minimum of 30 quarters or were married to someone with 30 quarters
This is because you are technically voluntarily enrolled into Part A. Part A deductible increases
• Beneficiaries with only Medicare as their coverage will be expected to pay the $1,340 when they are admitted to the hospital. If you have Original Medicare, you’ll be expected to pay a coinsurance amount of $341 per day for the 61st through 90th day of hospitalization in 2019. For lifetime reserve days, the amount increased to $682 per day. If you or a loved one is in a skilled nursing facility, you can expect the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period to be $170.50 in 2019. This is an increase of $3. Manor of the Plains
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Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
AIA, continued from page 1
The Art is Ageless® Program encourages Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information can be picked up at Manor of the Plains, 200 Campus Drive, Dodge City, or by contacting Kurt Lampe at 620-225-1928 or klampe@ pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.
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Community Matters February 2019
In Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we have partnered with Pinnacle Quality Insight. This company will periodically contact the people we serve via telephone to conduct an interview regarding their impression of our service. We use this feedback as a tool to continually improve our quality of care and enhance our relationships. When you are contacted to participate in the survey, they will always identify themselves specifically as being with Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. We greatly value your opinions and encourage you to be frank and honest when contacted.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
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