Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor
HIPAA 101 A simple question doesn’t always have a simple answer. “Why did my friend go to the hospital?” seems to be a simple question, but the answer is blocked by a federal law. While most think of the law as the protector of medical records, privacy isn’t even in its name.
We call it HIPAA (pronounced HIP-pah), but the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 also has been known as the Kassebaum-Kennedy Act or Kennedy-Kassebaum Act. Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum, R-Kan., was a leading sponsor of the bill, along with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. The official explanation is: “An Act To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.” The main intent was that the health industry would save money by computerizing paper records. That led to concerns over privacy, which led to new privacy regulations. HIPPA, continued on page 2
January 2015
Positive return
Resident moves to Manor apartment after PATH It was a clear day in September 2013 when a distracted driver rear-ended Jake Mitchell’s 1968 Ford pickup on Interstate 135, rolling it twice. The old truck’s laponly seatbelt likely saved Mitchell’s life, but he was left with severe injuries including a collapsed lung, nine broken ribs and a collapsed vertebrae in his neck. After a month in the hospital, Mitchell came to the Post-Acute to Home Jake Mitchell (PATH)® rehabilitation program at Salina Presbyterian Manor for the lengthy recovery that lay ahead. Mitchell, 75, couldn’t walk or swallow food. He needed physical, occupational and speech therapy. It was a confusing time, and at first Mitchell didn’t feel up to the task. “When it was time for my first session, I said no, I didn’t want to go,” he said, “But once I knew more about what was going on, I was fine.” Because of his neck injury, Mitchell couldn’t swallow solid food; he had to be fed through a stomach tube. Speech therapist Karen Watson rated him at a one for swallowing function, on a scale of one to six. Mitchell says Watson was especially key in his recovery. Within a few months he scored six – completely recovered. “She said I was the only person she’s ever worked with that she was able to see that much progress,” Mitchell said. Mitchell said he appreciated the dedication of everyone on his rehab team to helping him regain his independence. He left PATH on Jan. 22, 2014. But in March, he was back again, this time not as a patient, but as an apartment resident after 15 years of living alone. “One reason I came back to the Manor was the great experience I had,” Mitchell said. “It was a magnet that drew me back.” Today Mitchell is also back on his exercise regimen: 90 minutes a day at the YMCA, just like before the crash. Fitness has been a priority for PATH, continued on page 8
HIPPA, continued from page 1
Protected Health Information
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Protected Health Information, called PHI, is any information about a person’s health status, any health services provided to the person and any payment specifics about those services. Details of your medical record may not be shared without your consent. That’s one reason there are so many forms to sign at the doctor’s office; they must have your consent to process your visit for billing, insurance purposes, etc. That is also why it is so difficult to obtain information about friends in the hospital. It is subject to strict HIPAA regulations. Violations result in expensive fines, and health care workers are required to receive training on how to keep all medical information safe. Some key privacy points:
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Salina Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Bradley Radatz, executive director Kim Fair, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kim Fair, kfair@pmma.org. Telephone: 785-825-1366 Fax: 785-825-6554 Address: 2601 E. Crawford, Salina, KS 65401-2595 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. SalinaPresbyterianManor.org
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• When your health information is shared, only the minimum necessary should be disclosed. • Health information is to be used only for health purposes. Without your consent, it can’t be used to help banks decide whether to give you a loan or by potential employers to decide whether to give you a job. • If someone wants to share your health information, you have to give your formal consent. • You can ask for copies of all this information and make appropriate changes to it.You also can ask for a history of any unusual disclosures. • Your health care provider and insurance company must explain how they’ll use and disclose health information. (Information from WebMD.)
Retirement community regulations Retirement communities that provide state-licensed services, such as assisted living and health care, must abide by the strict privacy regulations. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America employees receive training and updates regularly. Vendors also are trained to ensure resident privacy is maintained. PMMA employees know they are not to chat about residents in the hallways – or anywhere – because that violates their privacy protections. The privacy laws are why health care staff can’t talk to other residents about the people in their care. It’s not that they are being unhelpful or that they don’t care about your feelings. They are required to keep the information confidential. Another key component of the privacy rules that affect health care residents is that the “information” may not be linked to an individual. In the rules, “information” includes photos of faces. That’s why we ask residents to sign consent forms when we take pictures for our newsletters, web sites and other marketing purposes. Family concerns Information from AARP explains that health care staff can discuss conditions and treatments with family members, but you must give written permission for your loved ones to see your official medical records. Older adults may have their adult children sign a letter or form designating them as a personal representative. This will give the health care providers the coverage they require to avoid HIPAA violations, according to AARP.
New Year, new (and improved) you
Our new fun fitness class that meets in the lower level at 10 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday has been a real hit with residents. We’ve heard wonderful stories about improvement in movement and strength from many participants. In December, we freshened it up with some more new music and also a workout to fun Christmas music. We’ll continue to make it fresh and fun in 2015. If you have considered coming, please join us anytime. If you would prefer a more traditional routine, try the 9 a.m. stand and sit exercise class or the Sittercise class at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At 4:15 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday you can join a CD exercise class. On Tuesday and Thursday is the video yoga class.You know what they say: move it or lose it. Give it a try and see what a difference group exercise makes both mentally and physically!
Have you got game?
Beginning Jan. 8, we will offer classic games like Monopoly, Dominos, Yahtzee, Scrabble, and others for you to play every Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Ivory Keys Coffee Bar. Several residents have offered to bring games to share. This is a great way to get together with your friends and neighbors for a fun afternoon. Family and staff are welcome to join in the fun.
Health care happenings
The theme for January is “Rockin’ in the New Year.” • Art Exploration will include crafting hammered heart necklaces. • Kitchen Creations will include making several kinds of hearty coldweather soups and also baking sopapillas. We won’t forget the honey to drizzle on top! • A Travel Experience will be a virtual tour down the Nile. • Television shows from the 1950s and ’60s will be a topic of discussion. • Come and find out what your favorite flavor of ice cream means about your personality.
Shanna King
Employee of the month
Congratulations to Shanna King, employee of the month for November. She has worked at Presbyterian Manor for nearly 10 years as the administrative services director. Shanna is married to Tom and has three children, Robyn, Caleb and Lindsey; and a 4-month old granddaughter, Emmalee. She enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, boating and fishing, and is the No. 1 KU sports fan. Shanna grew up in a small town and attended a one-room schoolhouse. The children of four families made up the student body and were known by their last names as the “Good-Golden-Bacon & Bean kids.” Shanna was the Bacon. Congratulate Shanna when you see her.
Art Discovery
We’ve enjoyed Brenda Smith’s Zentangle exhibit, and she will return to teach another class. Please sign up at the podium if you would like to learn this easy art form. New and repeat students are welcome. The class is $10 for residents, payable to Brenda at the beginning of class. Check the activity calendar and podium for date and time. 3
Holiday activities include Thanksgiving tree Chaplain Mary’s November column inspired Activities Director Karen Larsen to create a Thanksgiving tree. In her article, Mary said that being grateful isn’t enough—that we need to share our gratitude. Karen designed and hung a tree in the main hallway and provided autumn colored leaves on a hook nearby so residents and employees could share what they are grateful for and many took the opportunity to do so. The Thanksgiving tree designed by Activities Director Karen Larsen.
Christmas celebrations
Independent and Assisted Living residents celebrated Christmas with dinner Dec. 11 in the Ivory Keys Café. The menu included tossed salad, rolls, pork tenderloin, baconwrapped green beans and roasted potatoes. Dessert was a peppermint brownie sundae. A special thanks to Dining Services staff and the volunteers who served the dinner. Above: Resident Becky Morrison and employee Linda Leach are greeted by Sam, who escorted Becky to her table. Left: Volunteer Doris Dusseau serves Christmas treats at the Health Care Christmas party.
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On Sunday, Dec. 7, a full bus traveled to see “The Long Awaited Gift,” at Bethany College in Lindsborg. The concert was presented by the Bethany Oratorio Society and the Juletide Children’s Choir. Resident Dorothy Carmichael sang with the Oratorio Society. Other trips included Salina Community Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol—The Musical and the Salina Symphony’s annual Christmas concert. The Health Care Christmas party featured holiday music and homemade treats. A wassailing party on Christmas Eve was enjoyed by all.
Christmas trees
Above: The lobby Christmas tree, by tradition, is decorated the Monday following Thanksgiving in Presbyterian Manor’s logo colors of purple, blue, silver and gold. It also serves as the Angel Tree representing donors to the Good Samaritan Program in honor or memory of a loved one. Mulled apple cider and several kinds of cookies were served. Left: The Christmas tree in the chapel was decorated the same day, all in white and with ornaments crafted by residents.
Just Ask Safe driving class A safe driving class sponsored by AARP is scheduled for Jan. 8 and 9. A four-hour session will be offered each day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a break for lunch. David Fanshier will be the instructor. Both Presbyterian Manor residents and non-residents are invited to attend this class, which will have many benefits. Most importantly, those who are currently driving will be able to sharpen their skills and driving knowledge. After completing the class, participants qualify to receive a discount from their auto insurance companies. This class also can help to answer those difficult questions about when it’s a good time to relinquish a driver’s license. Cost for the class is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members, payable to David Fanshier on entry. For anyone not on a meal plan, the cost for the meal is $8 for non-residents, $5 for residents. Please sign up at the podium or RSVP to Kim Fair. This class came to us highly recommended as a refresher for driving skills. No actual driving is involved. If you have questions, please ask Kim Fair or Karen Larsen. 5
Musings from Chaplain Mary As I sat thinking of what I could say about a new year, I began to wonder what I should share. It seems like everything has already been said about a new year. I think what everyone likes about the concept of a new year is the opportunity to begin anew, to have a do-over or a fresh start, a new beginning. For some, it’s a time we can choose to close the door on our past mistakes, misery or the unhappy things in our lives. When I think of “new” I think of hope. I think of all the new memories to be made. I think of all the celebrations we might have, and I think of the good-byes we might have to say. I think of life which is made up of all of the days we experience. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I recently saw this quote by an unknown author, which gave me pause to reflect: “No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” May your new year be filled with hope, peace and love!
Giving Up The Old by Judy Parker
There is a new road that stretches in front of me. As I began to take the first step I looked behind me. What if with the first step on this new road I lose things that are behind on the old road? What if I give up something that I may need along the way? What if there is something back there I will miss someday? Am I going to be strong enough to make it down this road on my own? Am I going to have others stepping with me, or will I step all alone? I look in front of me and see hope and promise shining brightly. I look behind me and see memories began to fade slightly. I look in front and see new beginnings waiting to begin. I look behind and see unhappy circumstances growing dim. It seems to me on this journey down this timely road I am on, this new year is ready for the taking and the old year is ready to be gone. Promises and hopes of the new outweigh old things I grudgingly hold on to. It is time to take a step of faith and do all new things I need to do. As I journey into this new year I know that I will never be alone. When I look back at the old year that is now gone I know Jesus was with me then helping me to stand. I know He guides me through all days, He always holds my hand.
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PMMA’s focus turns to the future in the 1990s This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life. In 1990, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America moved into a new corporate office building in northeast Wichita, and Manor of the Plains in Dodge City opened.
was donated by American States Insurance Company. Construction began in December 1992. Jane O’Bryan was named the first administrator.
That year, the “Tradition of Caring” capital campaign also kicked off with a goal of $6.4 million. The first leg of the campaign was conducted in Emporia, where $600,000 was raised. Each campus had its own campaign to raise funds toward the $6.4 million goal. The campaigns raised funds to meet current Good Samaritan Program needs and provide a future endowment for Good Samaritan needs, assist in covering debt service and provide capital improvements at PMMA campuses.
Also in 1992, four Presbyterian Manor campuses—Wichita, Newton, Salina and Lawrence—received recognitions from the Kansas Association of Homes for the Aging. Wichita Presbyterian Manor won the Excellence in Service and the Recognition awards. The service award recognized Wichita’s ethics committee, which led to the campus working to become “restraint free” before the movement became popular around the country. Lawrence and Salina also received recognition awards, which signify high marks in the Department of Health and Environment’s annual survey of Kansas nursing facilities. Newton received the Innovation of the Year Award for the Apple-A-Day preschool, which opened in January 1992.
Local volunteers in Fort Scott, Kansas, led efforts to raise funds for a new retirement complex. The “Time to Secure the Future” campaign set out to raise $500,000 in base contributions toward the construction of a 40-unit residential complex in Fort Scott. The land
In July 1993, Dr. Mary Carman
A rendering of PMMA’s Fort Scott campus before construction began in 1992.
A 1992 groundbreaking ceremony for Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.
became chairperson of the PMMA board of trustees. Carman, who served on the advisory council at Newton in the 1980s, was a professional psychologist on staff at Prairie View. She was instrumental in the creation of one of the first special care units for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia at the Newton Presbyterian Manor campus.
Outreach activities
Thanks to residents and staff, 261 food items and multiple sacks of plastic bags and plastic containers were delivered to the Salina Food Bank. An employee who is on medical leave of absence was provided a $50 gift card, a catered Thanksgiving dinner and five sacks of groceries. Thanks so much to our employees for assisting one of our own. 7
PATH, continued from page 1
Mitchell since he shed 100 pounds in his 20s and kept it off by biking. Up until the accident, he typically rode his bike more than he drove his truck.
Salina Presbyterian Manor calls for Art is Ageless® entries
Mitchell’s fitness was the preexisting condition that helped him survive the accident and restore his health and independence. He also made sure to do everything the therapists recommended, and not just during his sessions. In his PATH room, he lifted hand weights to regain his strength. “You have to do your part,” Mitchell said. “That’s how you get better.”
Salina Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held 1 to 4 p.m. March 17 and 18, 2015, with a reception and final exhibit from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 19. 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 2016 Art is Ageless calendar. The Art is Ageless Program encourages Salina 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. Having a creative outlet benefits the mind, body and spirit. “The exhibit and competition always draw a wide array of impressive artwork from talented seniors,” said Kim Fair, marketing director. “We’re expecting this to be another great year for creativity and variety of works on exhibit.” Local competition winners will join winners at 17 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information can be picked up at Salina Presbyterian Manor, 2601 E. Crawford, or by contacting Fair at 785-825-1366 or kfair@pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online. Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2010). Entry forms should be received by March 9, 2014; artworks for judging should be delivered by 4 p.m. on March 12 or 13. 8
Volunteer opportunities The activity assistant in Health Care needs a volunteer on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:45 to 4 p.m. If you are interested in helping her, please contact Janet Smith, volunteer coordinator, at jsmith@pmma.org.You may also contact Janet by phone at 785-825-1366, ext. 1134, Monday through Thursday in the late afternoon. A few lobby greeter positions also are open. Thank you to our volunteers for all you do!