Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
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, Manor of the Plains will be conducting activities designed to highlight the contributions of seniors to the greater community.
Phill Gonzales and his artwork, “Inspired by Jesus,” won the People’s Choice.
Art is Ageless exhibit and reception Professional painter Mary Anne Hendrix and amateur quilter Vivian Goetz took Best of Show honors in this year’s Art is Ageless juried competition at Manor of the Plains. The winners were announced and celebrated at a reception in March. “We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Kurt Lampe, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.” For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Nineteen artists entered 35 pieces in this year’s competition. The winners for 2015 are: Best of Show: Mary Anne Hendrix, “Our Goat at Her Best” (watercolor painting), professional; Vivian Goetz, “Prayer Garden Quilt,” amateur Honorable Mention: Joan Cox, “Bed Slippers/Hand-Dyed Yarn,” amateur; Alice Sweany, “Noah’s Ark,” amateur EXHIBIT, continued on page 3
Campus website gets a facelift We are proud to announce the release of our newly redesigned website, ManorofthePlains.org. It has been crafted to reflect the wants and needs of our site visitors. You will immediately notice the streamlined menus, simple navigation and access to the information you need, 24 hours a day. Three things you’ll love about our new website now: • Homepage - at a glance, you’ll find contact information and direct access to information about our care
levels and living options. • Floor plans - you can now view floor plans for independent and assisted living residences online. • Resources - you’ll find a variety of resources to assist you with researching and deciding on a senior living community.You’ll even discover your next steps to becoming a Manor of the Plains resident!
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 May 2015
• Learn about upcoming events and activities on campus. • Discover tools to help you evaluate senior living communities.
We will be continually expanding our online content to bring you updated and relevant information, so we encourage you to bookmark it and check back often.
• Read about our residents.
EXHIBIT, continued from page 1
Quilting: Vivian Goetz, “Prayer Garden Quilt,” amateur
People’s Choice: Phill Gonzales, “Inspired by Jesus,” exhibition only;
Community Matters
Start exploring:
Christmas: Gwen Long, “A Cardinal Christmas,” amateur Drawing: Sandra J. Hastings, “Briana’s March,” amateur Fiber Arts: Joan Cox, “Bed Slippers/Hand-Dyed Yarn,” amateur Mixed Media/Crafts: Alice Sweany, “Noah’s Ark,” amateur Needlework: Sandra J. Hastings, “Amanda the Panda,” amateur
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Manor of the Plains.
Sculpture/3-D: Alverna Cantrell, “Summer Mix,” professional Sculpture/3-D: Richard Long, “Whoa!! There they go!” amateur Local competition winners will join those from 17 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level may be selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.
Started in 1980, Art is Ageless Painting: Mary Anne Hendrix, “Off is an extension of Presbyterian to Work,” professional Manors of Mid-America’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, Painting: Mary J. Ford, “Haystack physical, social and spiritual health. Rock, Oregon Coast,” amateur Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s Art is Ageless encourages Photography: Jerry Erickson, Manor of the Plains residents “Two Color Hydrangeas,” amateur and other area seniors to express Quilting: Dawn Habiger, their creativity through its annual competition and other events. “Sacajawea Quilt,” professional
Masterful judges a great asset to Art is Ageless By Kurt Lampe, marketing director for Manor of the Plains
It’s very interesting to scribe for the Art is Ageless judges from behind the scenes and listen to the knowledge they share. Each are from different walks of life, but they have combined their expertise for the last two years to judge our art competition with true insight. Let’s learn a little more about each of them. Patty McGee is the former marketing director at Manor of the Plains, and she played a vital role in drafting the judging guidelines for our competition. Patty has been involved in the art community of Dodge City since before her tenure at Presbyterian Manor. She was
director of the Carnegie Center for the Arts and is now a member of the 2nd Ave. Art Guild. Patty has been featured as the artist of the month at the store, 608 N. 2nd Ave. in downtown Dodge City, displaying many of her original works of art. Margaret Butcher is host of Today in Kansas on 1370 KGNO, weekdays at 9 a.m., and she teaches classes around the world as an online professor. Margaret also is a member of the 2nd Ave. Art Guild. Through the generosity of general manager Candice Thomas and Rocking M Radio, Presbyterian Manor is graciously able to do talk shows with Margaret, and public
service announcements for Art is Ageless and many other promotions. Marilyn Williams is one of Presbyterian Manor’s favorite volunteers. In addition to her assistance with the art show, she helps decorate trees at Christmas, and not just little ones either – some are 8 feet tall. Marilyn also is associated with the 2nd Ave. Art Guild and has a specific taste for art. She can pull stories and ideas of how a piece came about just by looking at it. Manor of the Plains honors and thanks these women for all they do to help promote Art is Ageless.
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.
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 Director Kurt Lampe with your story, you may be selected to share in an upcoming Community Matters.
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Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
3 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
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Community Matters May 2015
Family caregiver abuse can stem from stress or financial motives. Mosqueda hopes the report will lead to more attention being paid to the factors that can lead to abuse and neglect at home. “As a provider, I’ve seen families come in on the cusp of abuse and they are good people,” she says. She hopes public awareness of elder abuse will rise to the level where
families can get help before it’s too late. 3 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 three 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, the Elder Justice Roadmap says. Copyright© 2014 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television, Inc.