Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
November 2014
Lifestyle changes key to Alzheimer’s prevention
We now have a prescription that researchers think can delay or prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not a pill, it’s a list of lifestyle choices. Results from a landmark study announced this summer show that having a healthy lifestyle may be the key. “It’s the first time we have been able to give people a kind of recipe for what is useful,” said Maria Carrillo, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association. More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Millions more will likely develop dementia as the baby boomers age. In the study, researchers looked at 1,260 people in Finland from 60 to 77 years old, who were at risk for Alzheimer’s. One group went on a lifestyle improvement program and the other group received general health advice. The results were dramatic. The lifestyle program included: Eat well: Start by adding fruits and vegetables to your regular diet. Ease out fats and fried foods, and always choose whole grains rather than highly refined bakery products. BRAIN, continued on page 5
Eleanore Myers, along with Executive Director Marc Kessinger, left, and PMMA CEO Bruce Shogren.
Eleanore Myers Honored as Volunteer of the Year Every Tuesday, the Newton Presbyterian Manor Chapel is packed for the women’s Bible study led by Eleanore Myers. She also has served on the resident council, does laundry for dining services, and helped organize a fundraising campaign for a baby grand piano. When a group of employees knocked on her door one afternoon holding balloons and flowers, she assumed they were for someone else. They weren’t. That was the day Eleanore learned she had been named Volunteer of the Year by LeadingAge Kansas, an association of 160 not-for-profit organizations that provide aging services. The award recognizes a volunteer who has enriched the lives of residents and staff in LeadingAge Kansas member organizations. “It was a happy, happy surprise,” Eleanore said. “I didn’t know there was such a thing.” She was honored Oct. 1 at the association’s banquet in Manhattan. “There’s no doubt Eleanore Myers’ commitment to provide quality senior services guided by her Christian values has been a huge asset VOLUNTEER, continued on page 4
Mary Ann Drum, view finder Nearly every time Mary Ann and Don Drum go somewhere in the car, Mary Ann will ask her husband to pull over at some point so she can shoot some photos.
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Mary Ann carries her camera almost everywhere, so she never misses an opportunity to capture a great picture. She’s been doing it since the couple’s son Chester Mary Ann Drum’s photo, “Caribbean was born in 1972. “I just like to see Flamingo on Valentine’s Day,” was taken at the possibilities for a photograph the Sedgwick County Zoo. whenever I can,” she said. That included the Sedgwick County Zoo one mild Valentine’s Day. Mary Ann shot a few photos of the flamingos in their pond. “And I just thought the pink looked like the romantic colors of the Caribbean,” she said. The picture, “Caribbean Flamingo on Valentine’s Day,” became Mary Ann’s first entry in the Art is Ageless® competition at Newton Presbyterian Manor. After winning her category in Newton, the photo went on to win second place overall at the systemwide Masterpiece level, in which winners compete from all 18 Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities in Kansas and Missouri.
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Marc Kessinger, executive director Noelle Dickinson, marketing director Melinda Ebersole, activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Noelle at ndickinson@pmma.org. Telephone: 316-283-5400 Fax: 316-284-5900 Address: 1200 E. Seventh, Newton, KS 67114-2862 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
Mary Ann is a member of the Newton Fourth Tuesday Photography club at the Newton Public Library, which offers monthly programs and regular outings for photographers to shoot in the Newton area. In Winfield, where ART, continued on page 6
Chaplain’s Corner: A time for thanks By Jerroll Martens, Newton Presbyterian Manor chaplain
November and Thanksgiving go together, a wonderful time of the year. Let’s be thankful! Why? Here are just a few reasons. Romans 1 describes a people who were “neither thankful, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Thanklessness is listed together with blasphemers and traitors. Ingratitude gives one an inflated view of himself and a low view of God, it is love of self rather than a love for God and others. The focus is on the temporal rather than the eternal. It is a spoiler that removes the ability to appreciate and enjoy the everyday things of life. A thankless disposition can drive away friends and relationships. It is one of the rungs in the ladder that takes us down and away from God. Ingratitude is a slap in the face of almighty God. Let’s please God and give him thanks for our blessings!
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Bravo of the Month Certified Medication Aide Jason Berger received the Bravo of the Month for demonstrating dignity, respect and service. June Fike of Kalb Villa has this to say: “Jason took me to the hospital for a procedure. Front desk had no idea as to my coming. Sent me to admissions and from there to Imaging where they sent me back to admissions and from there to a room where I should have been in the first place. Jason stayed right with me until I was taken to where I needed to be. I felt good that he stayed throughout the whole ordeal of getting to the right spot. He went the extra mile.” Congratulations, Jason! He will receive certificates for dinner and a movie for two, and now has a vote in selecting the Bravos of the Month for the next year.
BBB opens senior scam line
Autumn activities
The Better Business Bureau has opened a toll-free complaint line especially for victims of scams. If you have questions about an offer, want a company reliability report or need to file a complaint, please call 877637-3334. Share with your friends and family!
Above: The therapy team’s tune-up session for adaptive equipment.
Above top: Phyllis Fischer and Edie Roberson in a recent cooking class.
Above left: Finishing touches are complete on the therapy room’s remodel. Left: Haury Courtyard was host to the Manor’s own version of the state fair. 3
Community Assembly executives elected The residents of Newton Presbyterian Manor have their own organizational structure called the Community Assembly. Elections are held each July to fill positions on the executive council and for representatives from each of the independent and assisted living neighborhoods. The executive council and representatives plan the community assembly bimonthly meeting, organize the annual employee Christmas fund drive, welcome new neighbors and plan events for their respective neighborhoods.
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to Newton Presbyterian Manor,” said Debra Zehr, CEO and president of LeadingAge Kansas. “Her values are an inspiration to others becoming involved.” Service is the theme of Eleanore’s life. After high school she became a nurse, specifically so she could go to Honduras as a missionary. From 1959 to 1969, she lived with dirt floors and no electricity, administering medicine, delivering babies and stitching up wounds. Later, she worked for the American Red Cross and Wesley Hospital. Eleanore and her husband, Clarence, moved to Presbyterian Manor in 1999. “For about a year, I just didn’t know how I would ever fit in here. I couldn’t find my niche,” Eleanore said. Then she was asked to host a women’s Bible study. The study grew from a handful of people to more than 50. A men’s group eventually formed, as well. “All of these things I do, I want to do them for the Lord. It’s what gives me a purpose to get up in the morning,” Eleanore said. Her wish is that everyone living in a senior community could find a satisfying way to serve others. “Whatever opportunity comes up, just try it – even if it’s out of your comfort zone,” she said. Congratulations, Eleanore, and thank you for your service and inspiration.
These residents were elected to two-year terms and will be your representatives to contact about any of the above projects: Chair – Jackie Dickson Secretary/Treasurer – Donna Willis Assisted Living Representative – Hazel Milne Cottages/Duplexes Representative – Maria Hernandez Garden Apartments Representative – Evelyn Gardner Ann Heidebrecht and Marge Graham were appointed this fall to fill the vacancy for Broadway Apartments. 4
Browse and shop
Get a jump on your Christmas shopping from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 14 during Browse & Shop in the Broadway Apartments community room. This fun, annual event includes many local vendors. You’re sure to find something for everyone on your list – and you, too!
New decade, new locations, new services This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life.
The 1980s brought growth in independent living options on many Presbyterian Manor campuses. New duplexes and apartments were constructed in Parsons, Lawrence, Wichita and Salina. It also brought construction of two new campuses and health care additions at the Wichita and Rolla campuses.
The first scholarships were given in 1981. Those funds served as seed for today’s Employee Education Assistance Grants.
Consideration of additional campuses continued through the 1980s as well. Efforts to raise funds for a Presbyterian Manor at Hays were not successful, and By early 1980, the United after thorough study, the board Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas’ authorized sale of the property in joint project with the Manhattan June 1980. The next year, a group Retirement Foundation was open. of citizens in Emporia petitioned PMMA continued to provide for construction of a campus in that management services for the new community, and a period of study Meadowlark Hills until July 1, 1981. and fundraising began. Additional campuses in Missouri also were Salina Presbyterian Manor opened considered in Jefferson City and its doors in February 1980, Springfield. and work started on additional apartments almost immediately. The PMMA board voted to sell In addition to the expansion of Mid-Continent Presbyterian the physical plant, two important Manor, a campus formerly operated programs of PMMA began in 1980. by the Board of Pensions of the Residents, staff and advisory board Presbyterian Church of the United members were invited to submit art States. Residents of the campus, and poetry for potential inclusion in located in Kansas City, Mo., were the inaugural Art is Ageless calendar. given the option of moving to the Kansas City, Kan., campus. The sale A donor’s $10,000 gift established was completed in 1983. the Education Fund for PMMA employees, residents and trustees. New services and new needs also
From left, Salina Mayor Karen Graves, Milton Morrison and Harry Steele.
The newly constructed six-story independent living apartment building at Salina Presbyterian Manor.
were explored. With the support of the Synod of Mid-America, PMMA worked to establish a campus for severely physically handicapped adults in Hutchinson. Home health care for residents living independently on PMMA campuses was started in 1984. Piloted in Salina, the service was expanded to other campuses before the end of the year.
reading, pursuing a hobby, playing a musical instrument Move more: “We shouldn’t just be encouraging people or singing. Having a purpose involves brain flexing, as well. For this, you can set goals and follow through or to exercise, we should discourage them from being solve a problem, for example. sedentary,” one researcher said. Researchers found that moderate activity such as chores and walking – not just Social interaction: Social relationships foster high-intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or support, and this connectedness, as we grow older, biking – can protect the thinking process. Taking a walk is critical to our wellness. When we converse, our after dinner is an excellent habit. Always consult your brains are busy dealing with the activities of listening, physician before beginning an exercise program. observing, understanding and conversing.You can Brain games: Two excellent ways to train your brain is combine some of these activities for added impact, such to flex it and have a purpose. Things you can do on your as playing cards, joining an exercise class, participating own include working a crossword puzzle or jumble, in a book club and attending a lecture. BRAIN, continued from page 1
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Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested
Veterans Day observation
Veterans and their families are invited to our first Veterans Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Nov. 11 in the main dining room. This year’s event features the opportunity to buy “Our Nation Called: A Tribute to Harvey County Veterans.” The hardcover book includes photos and features on local resident veterans. People who pre-ordered the book can pick it up at the breakfast. Books are $43.20 including tax. For more information, contact Joel Klaassen at 620-947-5702 or joel@hillsborofreepress.com.
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the Drums lived for about 35 years, some of her work was featured in a show at an art gallery. But what she really enjoys about photography, Mary Ann said, is sharing prints of her pictures with the close friends and family who are in them. Don owned a charter bus company in Winfield. About 16 years ago, the Drums moved to the rural Harvey County farm where Mary Ann grew up, near Halstead. Today, the little boy who was the subject of Mary Ann’s first photos is a medical researcher and cardiologist in Singapore. Mary Ann said they have visited twice, and it was a great place to take photos. But, Mary Ann says she was happy to get back to the wide open views of her home state. “I really don’t mind looking at cows and wheat,” she said. 6
November events Nov. 11, 7-10 a.m.: Veterans Breakfast, main dining room Nov. 12, 2 p.m.: Senior Fitness Testing, wellness center. Gauge your physical fitness and set goals to improve. Call Wellness Director Candace Cullors at 316-283-5400 for more information. Nov. 14, 4-7 p.m.: Browse & Shop, Broadway Apartments community room. Features local vendors. Nov. 20, 2 p.m.: Healthy Learning Lecture, “Facts About Depression and Anxiety,” library. Presented by LaVeta Jarrett, APRN, Via Christi Clinic.