Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
September 2017
Chaplain’s corner:
Still, it stands
By Jerroll Martens, chaplain, Newton Presbyterian Manor
“…the foundation of God stands sure,” says II Timothy 2:19. So wrote the apostle Paul to young pastor Timothy. This was written against the backdrop of unbelief and skepticism of the truths that Paul knew were of God. God tells us “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” I Corinthians 2:11. Jesus used the metaphor of the two houses, one built on the sand and the other built on the rock, reminding us of the critical need of a good foundation. Surely the gospel is our foundation. Our forgiveness and eternal relationship with God is based upon substitution, the innocent Son of God dying for sinful man. We cannot detract or add to what God has done. His foundation will stand!
Shirley and Tom Buxton in the early years of their relationship.
An Alzheimer’s journey: Tom and Shirley Buxton share their story Tom Buxton still remembers the first time he laid eyes on Shirley, when she walked through the door at a mutual friend’s house. He remembers her pink sweater, her black skirt, and oh, her smile. But now, Shirley can’t always remember who Tom is. He’s her husband of nearly 60 years, but Alzheimer’s disease has robbed them of the joy of growing older together. “I’m probably never going to accept it. I keep seeing her like she was and keep expecting her to be that way,” Tom said. Shirley has lived in the memory care neighborhood at Newton Presbyterian Manor since 2015. Tom moved in with their daughter in Wichita when Shirley came here. Before that, they were still living in Woodward, Okla.—where they raised their family, where they used to have a collections business—until Shirley’s disease became too advanced for Tom to care for her on his own. BUXTON, continued on page 2
Tom and Shirley kept her disease a secret for a long time. She didn’t He kept thinking of the promise he want anyone to treat her differently. made her father when they were Eventually they told their daughter, married—just six months after they who already knew something wasn’t met, even though they had both said right. “I felt relieved that someone they weren’t looking to get married. else finally knew,” Tom said. Shirley’s father Their daughter said, I know you Newton Presbyterian Manor immediately love her, but take and the Alzheimer’s began care of her. Keep Association present the series researching her safe. “Living with Alzheimer’s for memory care, Caregivers” in September When Shirley’s and Newton and October. memory began Presbyterian See back page to slip, he kept Manor was for more details. his promise. He their first Sweet, sweet! kept it when she choice. Shirley National Lollipop Day was celebrated in had trouble navigating their house lived elsewhere temporarily until a and when she was convinced her full force, even by our guests! space opened up here. mother, who was deceased, was in “We couldn’t have picked a better the hospital. Then, one day, Shirley place. This proved to be good brought Tom the TV remote and choice,” Tom said. “The thing that asked him how to “use this phone.” sets them apart is that they care “I guess it is taking more of a toll about those people. They know on me than I thought. That was the Shirley.” thing that finally got through to me,” Community Matters Tom said. “I was stubborn and proud There’s nothing good about is published monthly for residents enough that I was going to take care Alzheimer’s disease, Tom says. But as and friends of Newton Presbyterian a Christian, he still feels compelled of her like I promised her dad. But Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit to see God’s hand in this experience, I knew I wasn’t keeping her safe 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at anymore. If something happened to recalling Romans 8:28: “And we PresbyterianManors.org. know that all things work together me, I wouldn’t be able to take care Marc Kessinger, executive director for good to those who love God, to of her.” Noelle Dickinson, marketing director those who are the called according Melinda Ebersole, activity director It may not be what he envisioned, to His purpose.” To submit or suggest articles for but Tom tries to accept that he is still this publication, contact Noelle at caring for Shirley. For most of their “The only thing that has helped me ndickinson@pmma.org. lives, though, they were together all live through it is to have our family Telephone: 316-283-5400 here. Even the great-grandkids. It day and night. Fax: 316-284-5900 kind of brightens the day when they Address: 1200 E. Seventh, Now, even if Tom walks in and she Newton, KS 67114-2862 come in to see Great Pawpaw,” he thinks he’s her dad or a hometown said. “And we have our moments Our mission: We provide quality friend, Shirley is still Tom’s world. senior services guided by Christian together when she still knows me, values. Usually she does recognize him, and I’m thankful for that. eventually. He knows for sure when NewtonPresbyterianManor.org she gets mad at him, the way only a “You grab every tender moment you have.” wife does with her husband. BUXTON, continued from page 1
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Community Matters September 2017
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Newton Presbyterian Manor earns zero-deficiency rating Newton Presbyterian Manor earned a zero-deficiency survey for both its assisted living and health care centers from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services following its annual inspection in July. “We are very proud of this achievement by our employees,” said Marc Kessinger, executive director. “It is their commitment to our mission and residents that led to a deficiency-free survey. Because we are blessed with a great team that is dedicated to Newton Presbyterian Manor and each other, we’ve created a foundation that enables us to provide quality services for seniors deficiencies on annual surveys in every day.” Kansas is 10.2. Each year, senior living communities There are 17 major areas assessed, are surveyed by their licensing which include quality of care and agency for compliance of regulations physical environment. The surveyors established by the Kansas look at every aspect of a resident’s Department for Aging and Disability life, from dining choices, to dental Services. These regulations, which care; from frequency of physician number in the hundreds, are designed visits to ease of access to their mail. to ensure a standard of care is met. According to the medicare.gov “Being recognized as a deficiencywebsite, the average number of free community offers evidence
of our employees’ compassion and desire to make Newton Presbyterian Manor a place our residents are happy to call home,” Kessinger said.The achievement by Newton Presbyterian Manor places the retirement community in the top tier of survey performances in Kansas. This accomplishment will be celebrated as a campus this fall.
Folk music The Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance shared their special brand of folk music with our campus this summer and also came with a generous financial donation for our music and memory project. Like us on Facebook
Newton Presbyterian Manor
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Healthy Learning Lectures bring information, inspiration As we all want to live long, healthy lives, Presbyterian Manor’s Healthy Learning Lectures focus on topics that are suggested by those who live here. The hour-long sessions are broken up by about a halfhour of input from guest speakers followed by Q & A and one-on-one opportunities with our wellness director, therapy director and the nursing team. Get your blood pressure taken and ask your personal questions about health, nutrition and exercise. We are here for you! Brought to you by our Just Ask education series, the fall lectures are as follows: Thursday, Sept. 28, 2:30 p.m., Manor Wellness Center –
Fitness testing With just a few individualized and simple fitness tests our Wellness team can tell you how you stack up against others in your age group from across the country, and can give you a personalized plan to focus on the areas you need most. Done twice a year, this testing will then show you the gains you’ve made and help you set new fitness goals. (RSVP requested to Kaitlyn Hollaway, Wellness Direction at 316-283-5400 or khollaway@pmma.org in order to plan for the testing.) Thursday, Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m., Manor Wellness Center – Winter Preparedness by
Kaitlyn Hollaway, wellness director, and Brittney Moody, therapy director Kaitlyn and Brittney are full of ideas to make this a safe and enjoyable winter for you. From winter weather safety to indoor exercise options. Do you know the best way to walk on ice? Not at all! However, if you absolutely have to, we’ll learn how together.
Bella from Lil Bits of Love came to visit us this summer. As a therapy-trained mini horse, she’s accustomed to crowds, loud noises, wheelchairs and walkers, and she is happy to be petted, nuzzled and talked to. She even enjoyed a few carrots, though we had to learn how to make sure our fingers didn’t look like carrots when offering treats! Bella wears shoes to keep her from slipping on hard surface flooring. Shoes from Builda-Bear are the perfect fit and Bella’s were bright pink sparkly tennies.
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Community Matters September 2017
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The Alzheimer’s Walk is Saturday, Oct. 21 in Wichita. The Newton Presbyterian Manor team is selling T-shirts to raise funds. T-shirts may be ordered for $15 by contacting Melinda Ebersole at mebersole@pmma.org or Gladys Conner at gconner@pmma.org by Sept. 11.
Bravo of the Month Upcoming Our Bravo goes to Director of Health Services Julie Stewart!
DEFICIENCY survey that Newton received in Health Care. We are thankful that Julie is an amazing part of the PMMA team!”
Presbyterian Manor’s Regional Operations Director Brad Julie Stewart Radatz sent a Bravo from our corporate office.
CNA Alanis Bishop says, “Julie came in on her day off to be the charge nurse on the weekend. She did her duties and went above and beyond to help Utz and Claassen. She’s awesome!”
The Bravo reads, “Julie does an outstanding job leading and directing the Health Services Team at Newton Presbyterian Manor. Her leadership was most recently exemplified in the ZERO-
Julie is recognized for her big picture leadership and her willingness to step in and do anything that she asks her team to do. That’s true leadership.
events for SEPTEMBER Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2:30 p.m. Cooking Class: Flautas, Main Dining Room
Monday, Sept. 11, 2:30 p.m. Nostalgia John: Smiling memories & melodies of 1947, Main Dining Room
Thank you, Julie!
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2:30 p.m. Birthday Party Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit NewtonPresbyterianManor.org and enter your email address in the subscription box. It’s that easy!
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with entertainment by Ed Meyers, Main Dining Room
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 3:15 p.m. Cooking Class: Flautas, Broadway Apartments Community Room Newton Presbyterian Manor
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Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested