Commun ty Matters Parsons Presbyterian Manor
COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:
We will be featuring our Dining Services in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you know a dining services team member whose story should be told, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story. Contact Sharla Hopper, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
August 2017
Tricia Sexton receives PMMA education assistance When we’re children and teenagers, school may seem like a hindrance, something we have to do, against our wishes. But for CMA Tricia Sexton, school is something she now sees as something she “gets” to do. Something for her.
“I always wanted to have a nursing career when I was younger. I wanted to be in the emergency room or be aflight paramedic, but I had four kids, and trying to go back to school was difficult. I worked for Walmart for 16 years, and when my oldest was getting ready to graduate, I decided it was time,” said Tricia. “I remember my grandma had to be life-flighted when I was younger, and I wanted to help people from there on out. And I’ve had family members in the nursing field, so I guess it’s in my blood.” Every spring, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America employees have the opportunity to apply for continuing education awards, and Tricia was one such recipient.
Sarah Oenning, PMMA’s development director, said that’s because a group of private donors had the vision many years ago to set up endowments at some PMMA communities for employee education.
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Resident Satisfaction Survey results will be available by Aug. 15 at your campus. Watch your resident mailbox, or ask for a copy at the reception desk.
“It’s been a priority for a really long time,” Sarah said. “We know that donors saw that employee education was important and worth supporting.”
Tricia will begin the LPN program at Labette Community College in January, and will then go on to get her RN.
EDUCATION
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Be a good Samaritan “Go and do likewise.”
These words are found in the Bible, as Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, and instructs us that we are to do the same for others. Undoubtedly, so do this in many facets of our lives, from the time we help a young mother struggling to cover her grocery bill, to the time we leave a little extra on the tip for the young waiter working to finish college.
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Community Matters
But how does this parable apply to our daily life here at Parsons Presbyterian Manor? While it may be easy to see some of the challenges our fellow residents have, other challenges remain unseen. What happens, for example, when through no fault of their own, a resident has exhausted their financial resources? Where can they turn? Who is their neighbor?
We are. Through the Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund, we’re able to extend financial relief to those in need, allowing them to remain in our care. And while we’ll continue to provide this assistance for as long as possible, we turn to our community in
asking for help to raise the necessary funds.
“We help many residents with tens of thousands of dollars in support every year,” said Maegen Pegues, executive director. “Through local fundraisers, such as the Oatmeal Supper and Angel Tree appeal, we’re only able to cover a small fraction of that amount. We’re looking for caring individuals or organizations to come alongside us and help us give a hand up to those who are down.”
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Good Samaritan Fund, please contact Maegen Pegues, executive director, at 620-421-1450, or mpegues@pmma.org.
is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of
501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Maegen Pegues, executive director Sharla Hopper, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact shopper@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-421-1450 Fax: 620-421-1897 Address: 3501 Dirr Ave., Parsons, KS 67357-2220 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org
Parsons Presbyterian Manor’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home – it’s about getting you back to your life. Call 620-717-4030 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour. ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org
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The gift of giving to others
Checking the mail—it’s something you may take for granted when you live independently. At some point, “walking to the mailbox” may no longer be an option, and this change in daily routine can be unsettling. Fortunately, residents of Parsons Presbyterian Manor get to experience the delight of the mailbox walking to them every Tuesday. “We have the cutest little mail delivery person!” said Sharla Hopper, marketing director. “Her name is Jayleigh Gross, and she’s five years old. You should just see the residents’ faces light up when she walks in the room!” Jayleigh Gross, along with her mother Haydn, and sometimes her younger brother Kaine, volunteer to deliver mail once a week to residents. And it’s tough to tell who looks forward to it more, Jayleigh or the residents. “Jayleigh loves seeing the residents every week. She feels like she’s doing something important, and seeing them happy makes her happy. She definitely notices if we have to skip a week or move the day. She always looks forward to going, and she has a few select residents she has taken to. She wants to draw them pictures, or maybe stay a little longer in their room,” said Haydn, Jayleigh’s mother. So how did a five-year-old girl take on a weekly volunteer position at a senior living community? It all began back when her mom was a young child. “I was very close to my granny, my great-grandmother, and when I was around third grade I told her I wanted a job. She told me I was too young to work, but not too young to volunteer. She told me maybe an animal shelter or a nursing home could use my help,” said Haydn. “So I opened the phone book and started calling nursing homes! Presbyterian Manor seemed
the most excited about my offer, so that’s where I went. I even spent one whole spring break there! I just loved it, and I wanted my kids to have the same experience.” Haydn felt like volunteering was such a gift in her childhood, that she shared that gift with her daughter Jayleigh on her fifth birthday— literally. “When she turned five in March, her birthday gift was that she could start volunteering at Presbyterian Manor. She was so excited!” Haydn and Jayleigh are usually joined by Jackie Wertz, who assists with making the rounds, and sometimes Jayleigh’s little brother Kaine tags along too. “Jayleigh doesn’t really like when Kaine helps out,” said Haydn. “She’d rather have all the residents to herself! He enjoys it though.” Jayleigh began volunteering when she turned five. Jayleigh isn’t the only one that has to share, though. residents enjoy seeing her, and it’s Haydn’s grandfather, Terrell (Terry) made an impact. Scarborough, is a resident at Parsons “She asked me one time why they get Presbyterian Manor. He loves getting so excited to see her. I was explaining regular visits from Jayleigh, but that they live there, and maybe don’t doesn’t always want her to leave to go see family as much as they’d like. That visit other residents. broke her heart. That’s when she “He really enjoys seeing us every wanted to draw them pictures, and it week, but I know it makes him proud struck her just how much her visits when other residents tell him how mean to them,” said Haydn. “For a much they appreciate Jayleigh’s visits.” Jayleigh notices just how much the GIFT continued on page 6
PARSONS PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 5
Parsons artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners
Four winning artists in Parsons Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2018 Art is Ageless Calendar produced by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America.
“It’s Just a Stones Throw,” a painting by Janice Miller, “Merry Mary,” a Christmas entry by Joan Allen, “Conflict,” a photography by Max V. Good, and “Bookmatched Claro Walnut Table with Floating Top,” a Scultpture/3D piece by Charles Hugh will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall.
In addition, “Rustic Christmas Tree,” a Christmas entry by Nancy Korinek will be featured on one of the Art is Ageless greeting cards.
Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 16 other PMMA communities. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar and notecards. “The Parsons area is rich with talented artists, and Art is Ageless is a great way to showcase their work,” said Sharla Hopper, marketing director. “With four artists featured in the calendar, and one on the notecards, we couldn’t be more thrilled!” Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a
“It’s Just a Stones Throw,” a painting by Janice Miller
copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s Art is Ageless program encourages Parsons 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.
Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Residents and friends of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s Art is Ageless program are proving that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.
SEE MORE MASTERPIECE LEVEL WINNERS – page 4 PARSONS PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3
Art is Ageless masterpiece level winners continued ®
“Bookmatched Claro Walnut Table with Floating Top,” a Scultpture/3D piece by Charles Hugh
“Conflict,” a photography by Max V. Good “Rustic Christmas Tree,” a Christmas entry by Nancy Korinek
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“Merry Mary,” a Christmas entry by Joan Allen
GIFT
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Photos courtesy of Taylor Piva Photography
five-year-old she really has a lot of empathy.Young people spending time with older people is so beneficial sometimes.” Haydn is a big believer in young people volunteering in their communities. That’s why she asked her photographer friend Taylor Piva to capture Jayleigh’s journey, in hopes of encouraging others to get involved “We really hope to get some kind of kindness project going. Where others are inspired to make a difference in their communities.” If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering at Parsons Presbyterian Manor, contact Sharla Hopper at shopper@pmma.org or 620-421-1450.
Jayleigh’s little brother Kaine likes to volunteer too.
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EDUCATION continued from page 1
“I know there are only limited scholarship funds, and a lot of people put in for it. I was ecstatic to receive an award!” said Tricia. “I love this career path. I love the residents: seeing them every day, talking to them, and listening to their life stories.”
Tricia’s children are also thrilled about their mother’s new career, and even like to tease her from time to time about
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being in school “with” them.
“They think it’s great. Some of the stuff, math wise, we’re doing it at the same time. I’ll ask them to help me with a problem, and they say, ‘mom, I did that two years ago!’ They think it’s fun I’m going back to school and have homework like they do. They’ll even tell me, ‘Mom, you better get an A!”
Congratulations to Tricia and all other recipients of PMMA’s scholarship program.
How can I help employees?
To recognize a special caregiver or staff member, make a gift in an employee's honor to the Education Assistance Fund. Every gift helps employees reach their education goals. Make a tax deductible gift online:
Or make a gift at your PMMA community.
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