Commun ty Matters
June 2018
Parsons Presbyterian Manor
Spotlight on: CNAs
Certified Nursing Assistants, or CNAs, do so many things both known and unknown to improve residents’ quality of life and help nurses, doctors and other medical professionals deliver necessary medical care. During the month of June, we honor and celebrate their many contributions, especially during the week of June 10-17, or National Nursing Assistants Week. We sat down with several Parsons Presbyterian Manor CNAs to find out more about their profession and why they enjoy taking care of others.
Sheila Glaspie has been a CNA for more than 25 years but decided to take the plunge into nursing school just this year.
“I just found out I got accepted to nursing school, which is something I had never really planned on doing. One of our former DONs (Directors of Nursing) encouraged me to do it, and my daughter sort of tricked me into actually applying. She said we were going to enroll her in college, then once we got there, she said she
SPOTLIGHT ON CNAs
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Meet new marketing director
Sloan Dwyer is from Parsons and has lived here her entire life. Up until this point, she’s been in management at a sporting goods store, but felt called to a career with Presbyterian Manor to help people in a different way.
“I was attracted to this position because I wanted to take it to the next level of helping people,” said Sloan. “Being able to actually work in my home town and give back to people in that area specifically is appealing. I’m really excited for this new opportunity and career, and to bring in new ideas.”
When Sloan has free time away from work, she enjoys hanging out with family at the lake. Welcome, Sloan, and we look forward to all the good you’ll do!
A Legacy of Faith
words but modeled high principles for his three sons and his daughter.
W. Wayne Mason, Chaplain, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
At a visitation time for an old friend, I had a conversation with a middleaged man about his father. He spoke highly of a father who used few
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of
While working full-time to support his family, he would study engineering books in the evening while four energetic, loud kids played in the house. Eventually, he took the engineering exam and passed with flying colors. Quietly, that man modeled faith as he made sure his family was in church each Sunday. Silently, he loved his wife through the highs and lows of life even while supporting her through cancer. With few complaints, he demonstrated courage as he took on his personal foe, Parkinson’s disease, which after many years extinguished his life.
That man described his hero, his father. That father had established a grand legacy. In his Christ-filled, hardworking, courageous, loving life, he left behind four children who are involved in their
churches, have long-term marriages, have kept food on their tables and have courageously faced their own challenges in life. It is a legacy which is now being seen in the father’s grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. “Honor your father and mother”— which is the first commandment with a promise—”so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5
Prayer: Lord God, work through us to establish a long legacy of faith inYou. May we be able to say with Joshua, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) It is in Jesus’ name we pray this. Amen.
501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Maegen Pegues, executive director Sloan Dwyer, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact adwyer@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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SPOTLIGHT ON CNAs continued from page 1
Antoinette Grimmett, Maria Stover, Mey Barlow and Sheila Glaspie are just a few of the CNAs we celebrate during the month of June.
wouldn’t enroll unless I applied,” said Sheila.
“Never forget that they are in control of their life still,” said Mey.
Sheila truly enjoys helping others and Antionette Grimmett has been a CNA likes that no two days on the job are the for more than 19 years and became a same. CNA at a young age.
“My favorite thing is that I love coming in here not knowing what each day will bring. And of course, I love helping the residents live their daily lives and be the best they can be,” said Sheila.
“I enjoy giving care to all kinds of individuals, and for the past 6 years, I’ve been the activity coordinator as well. Our job is to give care, and make sure they’re supported. That’s what we all enjoy doing. That’s what we get in Mey Barlow has been a CNA for 15 the field for. It’s all about helping them years, and like Sheila, she loves helping and giving them the quality care that others. they deserve,” said Antoinette. “If I “I decided to be a CNA to be more were to give advice to anyone wanting involved in the community. I found out to enter the medical field, I would say about this wonderful opportunity to become a CNA first, because a lot of help others, and I did it,” said Mey. medical professionals come into field without knowledge of what it takes. It Mey, like so many others in the healthcare field, feels strongly that it’s all comes down to giving personal important to help residents retain their care. Otherwise you shouldn’t pursue it.” sense of dignity and independence.
Sheila, Mey, and Antoinette all agree that not everyone is cut out for the work of a CNA.
“You have to have a lot of patience, and it’s not for everyone. Some don’t think it would be that hard, but there’s behindthe-scenes things they’re not aware of. We’re a shoulder to cry on, and we help people with those activities of everyday living, like giving baths, changing clothes, brushing teeth and other things. They don’t realize all it entails to help a person get up every day and get through their lives. It’s very hard work, and often physical.You often have to work beyond the eight hours, and it takes a special kind of person to take care of people,” said Sheila.
We certainly agree with that, Sheila! CNAs are special people and deserve our recognition this month and all year long!
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