Commun ty Matters Parsons Presbyterian Manor
TELL US ABOUT the women you know
We will feature Women’s History in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. We want to know about the achievements of the women who live on our campuses. If you were among the first women in the workforce or elected office, 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 Lori Sears, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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January 2018
Parsons Presbyterian Manor honored for achievements
Maegen Pegues, executive director, receives a certificate of recognition from Bruce Shogren, left, PMMA CEO, and Bill Taylor, right, PMMA COO.
Parsons Presbyterian Manor received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America for reaching goals in fiscal year 2017, covering the months of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017.
The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 17 locations and 2 hospices to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards. To receive an emerald, a community has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to communities that reached their goals in one or more category. Parsons was recognized for achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and meeting overall resident satisfaction goals.
“This recognition is a visible sign of Parsons Presbyterian Manor’s commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer for PMMA.
Any new interests?
Wayne Mason, Chaplain, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
Jesus must have been a great person with whom to have a conversation. He had so many experiences as he traveled the countryside. He had such varied interests and included them in his many teachings. He had such mastery of so many subjects.
I just did a short, quick list of all the topics I could think of that he spoke about. He talked about: farming, nature, relationships, construction, money, government, religion, faith, family, honor, respect, forgiveness, mercy, eternity, salvation, baptism, ®
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Community Matters 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 Lori Sears, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact lsears@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
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and love. How many more subjects can you think of to add to this list? He would often take a subject and make it into a story in order to teach a lesson. Is it any wonder that he was able to develop such a strong following of disciples, friends and supporters?
Have you ever thought about all the areas of interest that you have? Have you considered that God may have given you that interest for a reason? I attended the Art Is Ageless display last year and was amazed at how many different forms of art were on display.
Each person had a story to tell with their special expressions.
What is the story you have to tell and how are you going to tell it? God has gifted us all with many interests and abilities.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving
me multiple interests within this world. Help me to continue to learn about all that you have created. Allow me the opportunity to express my learnings to others. Amen.
Hobbies bring health benefits
If you're wondering whether or not having a hobby can benefit your health, just ask resident Laura Gann. At 106 years old she enjoys doing puzzles daily. She works on them a little at a time and usually does 300-piece puzzles.
She doesn’t have any particular favorites. Or rather, they're all her favorite! She has been doing puzzles for more than 80 years. She started before she was married and has done them ever since. “They keep my mind and hands busy and also have a calming affect for me,” said Laura.
The special bond of older dogs and older owners
When Barbara Castleman and her husband visited an animal shelter in Albuquerque, N.M., several years ago, they were surprised to find a purebred toy Australian shepherd available for adoption.While it would have cost them thousands of dollars to purchase such a dog from a breeder, 10-year-old Stella’s pet adoption fee was only $40 because she was a “senior”. Imagine, for what we’d spend on lunch out, we’ve gotten years of unconditional love and companionship.” The idea is simple: discount or waive adoption fees for older adults who want to adopt pets aged 7 and up. Some organizations even cover medical bills for vaccinations, surgeries and dental care prior to adoption. In addition to the financial incentives, senior dogs can make ideal companions because they are typically housetrained and need less exercise than puppies. Supporting senior pet adoptions Lisa Lunghofer, executive director of The Grey Muzzle Organization, a nonprofit that awards grants to support senior pet adoptions, said that in a recent survey, two-thirds of respondents noted that older adults are the most open to adopting senior dogs. “Seniors for Seniors programs are such an exciting trend because they are making a life-changing, and often a lifesaving, difference for both older dogs and older people,” she said. Ashley Zeh, associate director of communications for Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester in Fairport, N.Y., said that her organization has offered a Seniors for Seniors program year-round for a long time. The open-admission shelter waives the adoption fees for pets aged 6 and older for people aged 60 and older
who are adopting them. The dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed, microchipped and given dental care. Because those personalities have already developed, potential adopters can know what to expect from each animal and find an ideal fit for their home. Benefits of an older dog Cheryl Rakich, founder and president of Almost Home Dog Rescue of Ohio, said her nonprofit rescues collies, shelties and mixes from highkill shelters in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Through the nonprofit’s Senior to Senior Foster Homes program, people aged 55 and up can become “permanent fosters” for dogs aged 7 and up. While some potential adopters worry it would be “too sad” to adopt an older dog, Rakich, a 63-year-old with a beloved 14-year-old sheltie, suggests looking at the bigger picture. “Step outside of your comfort zone and just look into the eyes of this dog and realize that you are going to benefit deeply by giving this a chance,” she said. Laura T. Coffey, author of the bestselling book My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts, agrees. During research, she interviewed over 100 people about adopting senior dogs and didn’t meet a single person who regretted their decision. “They all said they would do it again,” Coffey said. The bonds of companionship Some rescue organizations focus not only on senior pet adoptions, but on
Credit: Adobe Stock
retention programs to help older owners keep their pets in their homes. Laura Oliver, president and medical director of Lionel’s Legacy Senior Dog Rescue in San Diego, Calif., said her nonprofit’s “Keeping Pets Home” program helps older people with financial difficulties by covering veterinary costs for their pets. (A complementary program, “Always Home,” pledges to take in pets who ultimately outlive their owners; one current human participant is 104 and enjoying the company of a mixed-breed dog named Layla.) Tomzie Greer, 54 is determined to adopt a senior dog when she can. “With puppies, you have to be on your toes,” she said. “The older ones are more seasoned, like I am.” Ultimately, Seniors for Seniors programs celebrate the special bond between people and pets. Mellinda Phillips, 68, said she and her husband adopted Abby, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever, through the Seniors for Seniors program at La Plata County Humane Society in Durango, Colo., earlier this year. “Abby felt like family immediately. It was as though we have had her since she was a pup,” Phillips said. “We are so happy we found such a wonderful companion.” PARSONS PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3
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Presbyterian Manor 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220
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Parsons Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless® call for entries underway
Parsons Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held March 12 - 15, 2018. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2019 Art is Ageless calendar. Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2013). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by March 7.
The Art is Ageless® Program encourages Presbyterian 4 COMMUNITY MATTERS JANUARY 2018
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.
Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information can be picked up at Parsons Presbyterian Manor, 3501 Dirr Ave., or by contacting Lori Sears at 620-421-1450 or LSears@pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.