Rolla Presbyterian Manor
APRIL 2020
Safety update Presbyterian Manor Families of Residents, and Visitors,
“I’m just me; I’m nothing fancy,” says senior companion Goldie Masterson. The longtime volunteer will celebrate her 79th birthday on April 24.
Longtime volunteer does what she can, which is quite a lot
Goldie Masterson spends 30 hours a week as a volunteer senior companion to residents of Rolla Presbyterian Manor, where she helps with activities and visits one-on-one. “I always thank God every day I can get out of bed,” she said. “And I look forward to every day I get to spend with [the residents].” At the end of each day, she includes her Presbyterian Manor friends in her prayers. Every Wednesday, Goldie operates as the resident nail technician. She does GOLDIE - continued on page 2
Keeping our residents and staff healthy is a top priority for PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica). We fully understand health care workers and seniors are at a higher risk of experiencing serious infections, so our staff members are doing their very best to stay current on every change that is occurring in this rapidly changing environment. On March 13, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced strict in-person visitation guidelines for senior health care communities. All PMMA communities are enforcing limited access for in-person visitation. Limited Access means all visits to the community must be rescheduled except in case of endof-life situations per the March 13 guidelines released by CMS. COVID-19 - continued on page 4
Rolla Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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manicures in the health care center in the morning, then works an afternoon shift in the assisted living neighborhood. “I can even do French nails,” she said. A native of Independence, Mo., Goldie raised her four children in California. She has eight grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren, most of whom live on the west coast. Goldie moved back to Missouri 22 years ago, both to take advantage of the lower cost of living and to be closer to her siblings. Her sister
and brother-in-law have health problems, so she visits them almost every day and helps out by making meals. Her brother lives in a senior living community in Independence in a building that used to be the junior high school they attended as children. It was around that age that she met former President Harry Truman. She said the legendary statesman took frequent walks and “acted like everyone else.” Goldie retired early due to pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis. But she eventually discovered the more active she was, the better she
felt. Even after a diagnosis of colon cancer in 2003, she kept going. She began visiting a couple of women who were homebound through the Phelps County Senior Companions program. When the women moved to be closer to their families, Goldie called Presbyterian Manor and asked if she could volunteer. That was 16 years ago, and she has been spending time here ever since. “I’m not trying to stand on a platform or toot my own horn,” Goldie said. “My faith is my life, and part of that is doing what you can. I thank the good Lord that I’m able.” ◆
Devotional: The eternal hope of Easter We often think of Easter as a time of hope. Jesus is alive! Death is defeated. He is RISEN!! But how do we live a life of joy and hope when our world is turned upside down, and we’re uncertain what tomorrow will hold?
The Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
It seems the first step for finding hope this Easter season is to stop and reflect on the love that is being offered to us every second of our lives. Jesus is with us, even when our loved ones can’t be. Jesus sees and knows our struggles and fears, and He walks with us through them.
Matthew 28:6 says, “He is not here; He has risen, just as he said…” What life-changing, miraculous words! The grave could not hold Him. His LOVE overcame death. He rose again, victorious! And He loves and sees you, right where you
are. And He is with you.
Our Easter celebrations may look a little different this year, but take heart friends, our God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). May we continue to look forward to celebrating Easter and our Risen Savior as we are reminded that no matter what we’ve been through in the past, what we’re facing today, or what uncertainties tomorrow may bring, Christ alone is our HOPE. He defeated death, He rose from the grave and He makes all things new. Amen! ◆
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ROLLA Presbyterian Manor
573-364-7336 ◆ Fax: 573-364-7495 1200 Homelife Plaza Rolla, MO 65401-2595 RollaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2020
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Rolla Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: lfreeland@PMMA.org Ann Caudill, executive director Joelle Freeland, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Chaplain’s message: Building your reputation By Allen Teal, Chaplain
accomplishment.
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” — Proverbs 22:1,
The Old Testament describes Noah as a righteous and blameless man in Genesis 6:9. Abraham was “God’s friend” (James 2:23 and Isaiah 41:8). The Bible remembers David as “a man after God’s own heart” in Acts 13:22. In the New Testament, this list gets very long with people such as Mary, Peter, Paul, Thomas, Stephen and many others.
NIV
This April, we celebrate life and death. Palm Sunday arrives on the first Sunday of the month, and Easter comes on April 12. April is also the month when we embrace the end of winter and the life of spring. This makes it a good time to reflect on our part in the world. April 6 is “Plan Your Epitaph Day.” While you may not find this an uplifting idea, it can be valuable to consider how others may recall you. The Bible often recalls people by their prominent trait or
Strive to leave others with a good impression of you. Ultimately, you cannot help it if someone simply decides not to like you. However, you can improve the odds that others will think kindly about you. You make an impression on everything you touch. Choose
carefully where to leave your fingerprints. Try hard to be a part of positive and good activities. Make speaking kindly and wisely your natural way of being. Plan Your Epitaph Day. Whether you plan this on April 6 is unimportant. Take time to think about your legacy. You will leave an epitaph either by chance or on purpose. You can change your legacy by using your desired epitaph as a guide for your future choices and actions. Years ago, I went through a time of searching regarding how I wanted others to remember me. After discarding many options, I settled on a two-word epitaph that I have tried to live by ever since. The words I selected: “He cared.” ◆
Rolla Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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ROLLA Presbyterian Manor
1200 Homelife Plaza Rolla, MO 65401-2595 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
COVID-19 - continued from page 1
Visitors who meet the end-of-life exception should: • Expect to complete a questionnaire about recent travel, health status and COVID-19 risks. The questionnaire will be signed and dated and kept on file at the community; • Have their temperature taken upon entering the community; • Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, rubbing palms together, cleaning between fingers and the backs of hands; • Utilize hand sanitization stations prior to entering and upon leaving resident rooms;
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2020
• Limit movement within the community to your resident’s room and limit the number of surfaces touched; • Limit physical contact with the resident through social distancing – no hugging, kissing or handshaking – and remain 6 feet apart; • Report to the community any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or acute illness within 14 days after visiting the community. Personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes gloves, masks and gowns, are available as necessary. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact your resident family
members via telephone and email. We have also established electronic communication options. Please contact your local Presbyterian Manor offices for information. This situation continues to change daily, if not more frequently. The most up-to-date information about our COVID-19 response and visitation policies will be posted to our website and our Facebook page. We greatly appreciate your support in our efforts to keep your family members/our residents and community healthy. Sincerely, Your PMMA Team ◆