Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
March 2015
Giving is a hallmark of PMMA’s history Generous donations and local relationships are the hallmarks of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica. We often recall the story of Alice Kalb, who at 90 traveled to a 1947 Presbyterian Synod of Kansas meeting to ask for a retirement community in Kansas. According to Edwin Shafer, senior vice president of development, what Mrs. Kalb basically told the Synod was: “If I give you all the money I have, will you build a home for the aging?” Her heart-felt offer symbolized the plight of a growing number of seniors in need of the church’s help. Kalb’s initiative led a farmer from Wakarusa, Kan., to bequeath his farm to the new project. The sale of that land upon his death provided the funds for the first building of Newton Presbyterian Manor. Today, philanthropy at PMMA is evidenced through community partnerships, capital campaigns, Good Samaritan Program giving, special projects campaigns, and planned giving through wills, trusts and charitable gift annuities. Many of PMMA’s 18 communities were opened with the help of local fundraising campaigns. GIVING, continued on page 7
Executive Director Marc Kessinger congratulates Janice Good on 30 years of employment at Newton Presbyterian Manor.
30 ‘Good’ years
Employee Janice Good recognized for three decades of service
Janice Good was the last employee standing at Fiskars Manufacturing 30 years ago. The company, which had bought Newton’s SV Tool Co., was moving the business to Wisconsin. Good had worked in payroll for SV Tool; their department also handled payroll for Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, which was then headquartered in Newton. Fiskars had asked Good to stay on and answer phones in the empty office, but Larry Bradshaw, controller for Presbyterian Manors, had a better idea. “He called me right away and said, ‘we need you,’” Good said. She’s been with Presbyterian Manors ever since. Today Good is the administrative services accounting assistant for Newton Presbyterian Manor, taking care of all billing and financials. In December, she was recognized for 30 years of service at the resident and staff holiday party. Executive Director Marc Kessinger congratulated Good during the GOOD, continued on page 2
GOOD, from page 1
presentation. “The residents and family count on her a great deal. I know that a lot of what she does is a mystery to people, but we are all glad that she is here,” Kessinger said. “Janice helps hold this place together.” The best part of her job, Good says, is getting to know residents. She handles transactions for their trust fund accounts, and she’s the person they see when they pay a bill or have a question about their financial statements. And, she said, sometimes residents will just drop in to chat. “You definitely get your favorites — people who strike you, certain people you can relate to,” Good said.
March 8, 2015
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
Good started in the PMMA corporate office in Newton, which was then housed at the Old Mill. (She worked on an IBM Selectric typewriter for her first year; two years later, she was using a computer.) The offices moved to the train station for five years until the new headquarters was built in Wichita. Good commuted to Wichita for six years, but the distance had its drawbacks. “When this position at the Newton Manor opened, I grabbed it.” The Goods and their two sons were very involved in Boy Scouts as a family. Janice is a retired Boy Scouts of America committee member, advancement chair and merit badge counselor, and her husband, Bob, is still active in local scouting. She also taught water aerobics at the Newton Rec Center for many years but now just enjoys substituting and being part of the class. In May, Janice and Bob will celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary. They still have lunch together every day at home, a tradition they started when Janice came back to work in Newton and the boys were still in school. “We consider that our one hour of the day to communicate,” she said.
Bravo of the Month
Lizet Franco, dining services, receives our Bravo of the Month for her extra effort to help her dining team. Dining Services Director Marc Fitzroy said, “We had an emergency with a scheduled employee and called Lizzy to ask if she could cover. She selflessly rearranged family obligations to be able to come help the kitchen. Lizzy has shown leadership and dedication on many occasions, and we are proud she a part of our family.” Two days later, Assistant Dining Services Director Kyle Belshe wrote, “Again we had an employee come down sick, but Lizzy didn’t think twice about coming in and helping us out. She’s an outstanding employee and great team player.”
Congratulations, Lizet! 2 Community Matters March 2015
Chaplain’s Corner: A Sower By Jerroll Martens, chaplain, Newton Presbyterian Manor
Gardeners, farmers and agronomists think of planting spring crops in March. Virtually all planting has a purpose in mind. The gardener thinks of fresh vegetables for the table, while the farmer thinks of a corn crop. At planting time the harvest is already in view. Jesus used a parable of the seed and the harvest in Matthew 13. Good seed was sown, but only a part of it produced a harvest. It all depended on the soil. The hard soil, rocky soil and thorny soil produced nothing, while the good soil produced well. The seed was all good, so the soil was the determining factor. In the parable, the seed is the Word of God and the soil is our heart. Our part is to have a heart open to the truth of God as we find in his Word. We need to believe in and rely upon his promises, obey his commands, and honor him. May our heart be the soil in which God’s love finds root, giving us love for God and others — a life which reflects the glory of Jesus.
Employee milestones recognized Fourteen employees were presented with milestone awards and recognition gifts at the Employee Christmas Party in December. Janice Good was recognized for 30 years of service. Social Services Director Helen Brown celebrated her 20th anniversary, and Paula Hoskinson from Dining Services was recognized for 10 years of service. Five-year awards were presented to health services employees Mary Abbas, Jane Downs, Jodi Huntley, Ganiyu Kuye, Deb Lazaro, Michele McGee, Julie Stewart and Tami Temple. Others receiving five-year awards were Harvey Friesen, transportation, Linda Loyles, assisted living, and Mari Sailors, preschool.
Willard Weide and family chose to honor the staff of Claassen House with a plaque thanking them for their love and care for his wife, Marilyn. Newton Presbyterian Manor 3
7 easy ways to build strong bones, inside and out By Linda Melone
Bone building reaches a peak during adolescence but then slows after age 25. In addition to this natural bone loss, we’re less likely to perform high-impact, bone-stimulating exercises (such as jumping) after age 50. This adds up to an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone breaks and fractures. Fortunately, you can build stronger bones at any age.
compared with those who didn’t and lost about 1.3 percent. (Note: the study did not include women with osteoporosis; jumping is not recommended in cases of weak bones.) Experts offer these seven easy tips for men and women to keep bones strong throughout their lives:
1. Snack on yogurt and other calcium-rich foods. Including yogurt, cottage cheese and other A recent study published in the low-fat dairy foods adds boneAmerican Journal of Health strengthening calcium to your diet. Promotion shows that people “In addition to dairy products, who jumped 10 times twice daily increased bone density by .5 percent choose fish with bones such as
Memory Care therapy gets rave reviews Behavior-Based Ergonomics Therapy, or BBET, recently introduced in Anderson Place and Haury Place for residents with dementia, already is receiving glowing reports. Employees appreciated learning from Dr. Govind Bharwani and Meena Bharwani during their initial training week in January, and they are sharing stories of how the therapies are making a difference for residents.
Employees Sarah Schmitt and Holly Gibert shared that using BBET, they were able to help a resident take a shower who normally resists the idea of bathing. She usually stops at the door to the spa and refuses to go in. “We had her BBET music playing, held her left hand, and used soothing but few words to encourage her to come in to the spa. By the end, she was singing along with the music and enjoying the experience. It was magical,” Gibert said.
salmon, sardines or whitebait,” says registered dietitian Laura Jeffers. For additional benefits, serve these foods with a side of dark leafy green vegetables or broccoli, which also contain calcium. Other bonebuilding snacks include almonds, dried figs, calcium-fortified tofu and, if you prefer non-dairy, soy milk. 2. Take a hike. Try to engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, by jogging, brisk walking or aerobics — at whatever level of ability, says Susan Randall, of the BONES, continued on page 5
Upcoming Events
March 6 – Art is Ageless entry deadline March 12, 2:30 p.m. – Art is Ageless Artists’ reception and awards, main dining room March 12 to 27 – Art is Ageless exhibit open April 24 – Apple Blossom Festival on the grounds. Family members, please join your resident loved one for an evening of intergenerational fun.
Student performances Students from Carmen Weller’s vocal music class at Santa Fe 5/6 Center put on two concerts recently for the residents of Newton Presbyterian Manor.
4 Community Matters March 2015
Volunteers are needed for KidFest activities and other fun tasks. Call Melinda Ebersole at 316-283-5400 or email her at mebersole@pmma.org if you have an hour to share that evening.
BONES, continued from page 4
National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). “As you build stamina, increase the duration and intensity of your exercise,” she says. To see real improvements in bone density, you need to push your intensity, says Cleveland Clinic physical therapist Maribeth Gibbon. “Increasing your pace for short intervals or going up and down hills will place appropriate forces on your bones.” Alternate higher-intensity exercises two to three days a week with lower-intensity activities four to five days a week for best results. 3. Lift weights. “All women begin to lose bone mass after menopause,” says Randall, “so the stronger the muscle and the stronger the bone mass before menopause, the better.” Men should lift weights, too. Resistance exercise requires muscular strength, which improves muscle mass and strengthens and supports bone. Examples of resistance training tools include free weights, wrist weights, weighted vests, exercise bands and resistance machines found at gyms and health clubs. Strive for two to three resistance training workouts a week. 4. Consider a supplement.Your calcium needs increase with age, making it a challenge to take in enough calcium through food alone. The U.S. recommended daily allowance for calcium is 1,000 mg a day during your 20s, 30s and 40s.
“Do four stomps on each foot twice a day with enough pressure to crush a can,” she says. Make it a habit to stomp on cans before you toss them into the recycle bin.
take hormone therapy, says Jeffers. Men between 50 and 70 years old need 1,000 mg a day; men over 70 need 1,200 mg. “And since your body absorbs only 500 mg of calcium at a time, divide your dosages out over the course of the day,” Jeffers says. Check with your doctor before starting supplements to find out what amount is right for you. 5. Take a daily “D.” To help absorb calcium, most adults need 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, says Dr. Andrea Sikon of Cleveland Clinic. “Combined calcium-vitamin D pills usually do not meet this requirement. And most of us who live north of Atlanta do not get enough vitamin D the old-fashioned way — from the sun. Taking a vitamin D supplement ensures you meet your daily needs.” Even if you take medications such as bisphosphonates (e.g. Fosamax), you still need vitamin D and calcium as building blocks, says Sikon.
6. Stomp your feet. Similar to the noted benefits of jumping for bone density, simply stomping your feet After menopause, most women need can also help increase bone density 1,000 to 1,500 mg a day unless they in your hips, says Gibbon.
Gibbon recommends performing exercise that is site-specific, meaning it must target the areas most prone to fracture: spine, hips and wrists. Pushups and planks work the wrists and the NOF recommends these exercises to target the spine. 7. Stretch it out. Round out your workouts with stretching to help avoid a hunched-over posture down the road. “Posture, balance, flexibility, and spine strengthening exercises can help you with better alignment of your body now and in the future,” says Randall. Lengthening tight muscles reduces back pain and promotes good spinal mechanics and posture, says Gibbon. Muscles that are commonly tight include those you use to arch your back (spinal extensors); raise and rotate your shoulders (shoulder elevators and external rotators); lift your knees (hip flexors) and pull your feet toward your body (ankle dorsiflexor). Perform stretches slowly and smoothly, “to a point of stretch, not pain,” Gibbon advises. For maximum benefit, do stretches once or twice a day, holding each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. Copyright© 2014 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. Newton Presbyterian Manor 5
Missouri gets new campus; Wichita campus is reborn This month, we conclude our look at the history of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America as we celebrate the organization’s 65th anniversary. In 2006, SSM Health Care of St. Louis moved its St. Joseph’s Hospital from a site in Kirkwood, Mo. As part of this hospital relocation, SSM Health Care issued a request for proposals to determine what to do with the old hospital campus site. Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s proposal for a continuing care retirement community was selected as the project to be constructed on the old hospital site.
campus. The project would encompass nearly two-thirds of the grounds by replacing existing independent living cottages and the assisted living and health care areas with new buildings, completed in two phases.
The first phase encompassed new assisted living apartments including 24 assisted living memory care suites and a new health care neighborhood with dedicated PMMA’s 18th senior living short-term rehabilitation suites and community known as Aberdeen new common areas for all levels Heights opened in September 2011. of care. The amenities include a Upon completion, Aberdeen Heights new chapel, bistro, beauty salons would include 243 independent for independent, assisted living living apartments, 30 assisted living and health care areas and a new apartments, 15 residential-style kitchen for the entire campus. The memory care rooms and 38 private first phase was completed in late nursing rooms. Aberdeen Heights 2014 with health care residents is PMMA’s fourth senior living moving into their new building in community in Missouri, joining the November, and the assisted living communities in Farmington, Fulton residents moving into their new and Rolla. residences in December. In August 2012, PMMA announced plans for a major repositioning of its Wichita Presbyterian Manor
Phase II of the repositioning of the Wichita campus will include 90 independent living apartments in
Aberdeen Heights, PMMA’s fourth senior living community in Missouri.
A beautifully appointed sitting room at Wichita Presbyterian Manor.
a new three-story building known as The Westerly. This second phase began in December 2014 with demolition of the previous health care and assisted living buildings. The Westerly is slated to open in late 2015.
Coming Up in Community Matters Community Matters will focus on Older American’s Month in an upcoming issue. The 2015 theme is “Getting into the Act.” How were you involved in your community? Did you serve in public office or otherwise participate in civic government? What was your experience like? If you have a story to tell, contact Marketing Director Noelle Dickinson to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter. 6 Community Matters March 2015
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GIVING, from page 1
There were donations of land for the Clay Center, Fort Scott, Olathe and Topeka locations. In addition, coalitions of citizens, churches and business leaders raised money for buildings in the Dodge City, Emporia, Parsons and Rolla. Through the years, capital campaigns have enabled PMMA communities to continue expanding services and remodeling campuses. Over the past eight years, Shafer said, there have been four capital campaigns. Ark City added a memory care assisted living neighborhood, and Clay Center added health care rooms and space for dining and activities. Newton
created several neighborhoods at the health care level, and Rolla added assisted living rooms and a community meeting room. Good Samaritan Program PMMA’s Good Samaritan Benevolent Care Program provides close to $4 million a year to touch the lives of nearly 400 residents, Shafer said. Mailings are sent throughout the year to enlist support from friends. The Good Samaritan Program allows residents to remain in their apartments even after they have exhausted their financial resources. A similar mail solicitation is conducted in late summer/early fall
to benefit the Employee Scholarship Fund, which reimburses employees for tuition for approved classes. Some campuses have special event fundraising programs. For example, a couple of months ago, Lawrence’s soft-serve ice cream machine, donated to the Manor 15 years ago, could no longer be repaired. To meet this need, residents kicked off a campaign to raise the money for a replacement. In a matter of two weeks, they reached the $15,000 goal. For more information about planned giving, contact Ed Shafer at eshafer@pmma.org or 800-336-8511.
Your Opinion Matters
• complete the • Quality of services
• Resident survey • March
2 - 27, 2015
Newton Presbyterian Manor 7
Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested
Entry deadline: March 6
8 Community Matters March 2015