Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor
August 2016
PMMA rebalances portfolio with sale of Kansas City campus In the more than six and a half decades Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America has provided care for and advocated for the aging in Kansas and Missouri, the senior retirement landscape has changed dramatically. PMMA remains committed to our mission of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values and to meeting the ever changing needs of today’s seniors. Seniors want a full continuum of care, with an emphasis on active living and wellness. Out of this demand, the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) model was born. This model provides for a large independent living level with smaller levels of assisted living and health care/ skilled nursing. During the past two decades, PMMA has been slowly moving its system toward the CCRC model. Even though we have made significant strides, our system still remains imbalanced in the world of CCRC’s. SALE, continued on page 2
Resident Arlene Hanzlicek, seated, uses a motorized seat to get in a new minivan. She and her husband, Ernie, donated the minivan with motorized seat.
A step up Hanzliceks donate new van with assistive seat to Presbyterian Manor There’s a comfy new ride for Salina Presbyterian Manor residents who need a lift to doctor’s appointments, thanks to the generosity of Ernie and Arlene Hanzlicek. The couple recently donated a new minivan to the campus with a motorized seat to help riders get in and out easily. That’s a problem with which Ernie is all too familiar. When the campus’ two wheelchair accessible vans were busy, Presbyterian Manor’s only transportation had been a Nissan Versa – a compact car that sits low to the ground. “My wife and I try to consolidate doctors appointments. I usually got stuck in the back seat of that little car,” he said. Ernie had been hearing about a new assistive device by Bruno, the company best known for making stair lifts. Bruno’s Valet Signature Seating products for vehicles are automated seats that swing out to the desired height and lift riders easily on board. VAN, continued on page 2
SALE, continued from page 1
Upon a careful analysis of our properties, it became clear that the Kansas City campus, with its predominantly health care focused model, could not easily convert to a CCRC campus. After much analysis, deliberation and discussion with the senior leadership team, the Board of Trustees approved the sale of KCPM.
New life enrichment assistant for health care Cierra Haith is our new Life Enrichment Assistant. Cierra has been a certified nursing assistant in health care for five years and will focus on health care residents and their activities. Welcome to your new position, Cierra.
While saddened by the idea of selling KCPM, PMMA was and is confident that we are leaving our residents in good hands. The sale of Kansas City Presbyterian Manor to Riverbend, an operating subsidiary of The Ensign Group Inc., was completed and the campus transferred, on July 1. VAN, continued from page 1
“I decided maybe it was time for us to do something on the matter,” Ernie said.
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 67401-3898 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. SalinaPresbyterianManor.org
The couple approached Executive Director Brad Radatz last year with an offer to buy Presbyterian Manor a new van. This spring, it was delivered, customized with its own Bruno seat. Brad said the magnitude of the gift was stunning. “Since I’ve been here, it’s the single biggest gift we’ve received. It was surprising and exciting for all of us to have that happen,” Brad said. “We deeply appreciate that they saw a need, and they were willing to use their own money to provide a higher quality vehicle for us to use.” Marketing Director Kim Fair said the greatest benefit of the Bruno seat is preserving the dignity of residents who need some assistance or who can’t climb steps, but do not require wheelchair transportation. “The big plus is that people
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Community Matters August 2016
don’t have to be transported by wheelchair,” Kim said. It also helps staff members avoid the strain of lifting residents in and out of a vehicle. Ernie and Arlene had hoped to keep the van a secret for as long as possible, so they could surprise the staffers who drive residents to and from their appointments. “In Ernie’s eyes, it was a gift for everybody,” Brad said. Kim said the Hanzliceks have made a practice of giving back to Presbyterian Manor when they’re able. They once received a credit to their account for referring a new resident to Presbyterian Manor. Instead of keeping the money, Ernie and Arlene used it to buy new hymnals for the chapel. “We’re starting our tenth year here. Presbyterian Manor has been good to us, so we try to do a little something for them,” Ernie said. Like us on Facebook
This summer’s heat waves are more dangerous than you think of us can succumb to Heat waves tend to be underestimated hot weather.” as natural disasters because they lack the destructive power of hurricanes or The Risks Associated earthquakes. We shouldn’t, however, With Heat overlook their lethal capabilities. Waves During a week-long heat wave in Chicago in July 1995, temperatures Heat in that city reached as high as 106 exposure with a heat index of 120. At least 739 can lead people died — 651 of them 85 or to several older. Most were living alone, without dangerous power or air conditioning. conditions, grouped under the umbrella term hyperthermia. The Four years later, when another heat opposite of hypothermia, these wave hit, the city took aggressive conditions are characterized by an action, sending police to check on abnormally high body temperature isolated seniors and offering free caused by a failure of the heatbus service to cooling centers. Still, regulating mechanisms of the body 110 people died. And during a to deal with hot weather. Most catastrophic three-week heat wave people who die from hyperthermia in Europe in August 2003, when conditions are over 50, and those who temperatures produced the hottest have poorly working sweat glands season in five centuries, an estimated — or heart, lung or kidney disease 70,000 people died, a fifth of them in — are especially vulnerable. So are Paris alone. Again, elders living alone people who take diuretics, sedatives, were most vulnerable. tranquilizers or certain heart and By Gary Drevitch
As parts of the United States, particularly in the Midwest, struggle with one of the hottest, driest summers on record, the country needs to be aware of the health risks of high temperatures. (In fact, the nation as a whole appears to be experiencing one of the three hottest summers since 1950.) And while seniors face the greatest danger, they aren’t the only ones at risk. According to Dr. Basil A. Eldadah, program officer with the Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology of the National Institute on Aging, “heat-related injuries can affect all ages, the middle-aged as much as the older population.You may not feel as susceptible as your elderly parents, but even the best Like us on Facebook
high blood pressure medication, such as beta blockers, which can impair the body’s ability to cool itself by sweating. People who are overweight are also at greater risk than others. Here are some conditions to watch out for:
• Heat syncope is sudden dizziness that may happen when you exert yourself in high temperatures. People with heart conditions who take beta blockers are especially susceptible to feeling faint in the heat. Staying hydrated, sitting with your legs elevated, and spending time in a cool place should bring on recovery. • Heat cramps in your stomach, arms or legs can result from hard work or exercise in the heat. Cramps are one way your body tells you that it’s too
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hot. When you cramp up, go where it’s cool or find shade and hydrate. • Heat edema, the swelling of ankles and feet due to heat, should be relieved by elevating your legs. If the swelling doesn’t pass soon, is warm or red to the touch, or you have a fever, see your doctor immediately. • Heat exhaustion can arise when your body cannot cool itself, and as a result you feel thirsty, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated and nauseated. Your skin may feel cold and clammy and your pulse rate may go up. Get yourself to a cool spot and drink fluids. • Heat stroke is a potentially lifethreatening emergency condition to which an elderly loved one in your care may be particularly susceptible. (In the Chicago heatwave, all of of those who died were 55 or older.) Heat stroke can occur when the body, overwhelmed by heat, cannot control its temperature, which may rise above 104 degrees. Heat stroke is usually associated with a temperature of 105 degrees. It can be characterized by fainting, confusion, staggering, a rapid or weak pulse, an inability to sweat, flushed skin or even coma. Seek immediate emergency medical attention for a person with any of these symptoms. Salina Presbyterian Manor
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Education and lifelong learning Learning is something we do lifelong, whether we realize it or not. Some learning is an intentional study of a topic, something we seek to learn. Other learning just happens through living, being involved with other people and having new experiences. We offer multiple options for lifelong learning at Salina Presbyterian Manor—both intentional and by living in community. • Osher Lifelong Learning classes are offered in the spring and fall through the University of Kansas. Each topic is presented in a series of three twohour classes. • Genealogy class. Residents learn about their family trees and write stories of their days growing up. • Art Discovery classes allow residents to create artwork or items • Trips to Rolling Hills Zoo to see new exhibits and learn about the animals • Cruising with Cathy trips. The most recent were to the Orphan Train Museum in Concordia, a tour of St. Fidelis Basilica in Victoria, and a tour of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays. • Sculpture tour in downtown Salina • Manda’s violin and viola performance • Literary Ladies Book Club monthly meetings. Club members read the same book and discuss it at the monthly meeting. • Presentation on raising bees and honey production • Kansas Weather, presented by Ross Janssen and Millie the weather dog from KWCH-TV in Wichita. • The fall class at Salina Presbyterian Manor will be “Why Hitchcock Matters.”
Musings from Mary… I lived on the farm for the first five years of my life, and my parents chose not to send me to Kindergarten. Starting first grade was difficult as I had no experience in school. I eventually got caught up with my class and graduated from high school. My parents would have sent me to college, business school, or any place I wanted to go but I “was in love” and all I wanted to do was get married. I was a stay-at-home mom and felt confident as a wife and mother. As our children got older, I began to doubt my abilities, judgement and competence next to friends and family who had gone to college. I became involved in the women’s ministries at our church and took every opportunity to attend events that would help me grow as a person, eventually becoming part of our National women’s board, which then led me to take advantage of a program in our church to become a Parish Ministry Associate, or lay-pastor. I finally came to realize that education was the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include storytelling, discussion, teaching, training, and directed research. Education frequently takes place under the guidance of educators, but learners may also educate themselves. Education can take place in formal or informal settings and any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational. One of the things I value about the Presbyterian Manor family is that each day I have an opportunity to increase my knowledge from our residents and staff.
Residents at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays.
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Community Matters August 2016
MUSINGS, continued on page 5 Like us on Facebook
MUSINGS, continued from page 4
I can now read the poem, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” by Robert Fulghum and check off all the things that I have learned not in Kindergarten but in my life-journey. Most of what I really need To know about how to live And what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top Of the graduate school mountain, These are the things I learned in the sand pile. Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life – Learn some and think some And draw and paint and sing and dance some. And play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, Watch out for traffic, Hold hands and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamster and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup – they all die. So do we. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first work you learned – the biggest word of all – LOOK.
AARP safe driver class The class is scheduled for Aug. 6 and Aug. 13 from 8 a.m. to noon. To complete the class you must attend both days. Cost for AARP members is $15 and $20 for non-members. Completion of the course will enable you to have reductions on your vehicle insurance. Call Salina Presbyterian Manor at 785-825-1366 by noon on Friday, Aug. 5, to register. Like us on Facebook
August Events Health Care Happenings • Do you know GORP? (making trail mix) • Silvertones will perform in the Ivory Keys Cafe
• What’s in the beehive? — learning about bees and how they make honey • Making Memories— discussion of making memories and recalling some of our favorites • Relax with Kool Aid cocktails on a Friday afternoon • Horseshoe toss
• Art Discovery will be painting mandelas
Travel & Taste Ballots with suggestions for our next Travel & Taste excursion were distributed. Please vote for your choice and return it to Cathy Boos. Salina Presbyterian Manor
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Employees of the Month for June and July Kyle McWhorter was the Employee of the Month for June. Kyle has worked as a dining services assistant for six months. He helped grill the steaks for our recent steak dinner. His favorite hobby is golf. He also likes to watch movies and TV. One thing we didn’t know about Kyle is that he is a middle child with an older sister, Amy, and a younger brother, Cory. They grew up close and remain so. He also has a cat that he found as a stray kitten. He is now 2 years old and definitely an indoor cat. Kyle is very friendly and always has a wide smile for everyone. Thanks for being you and being here, Kyle, and congratulations on being chosen as our Employee of the Month for June.
Our Employee of the Month for July is Amber Hamilton. Amber is a Certified Medication Aide in health care. She previously worked at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor for 6 years and has worked at the Salina Manor for 5 years. She is the mother of 3 children, Jan (7), Alyssa (6) and Adison (3). She refers to her cockapoo named Midnight as “my first baby.” Amber enjoys hanging out with her kids and other family. She says God is good, the kids are good, and she doesn’t know where she would be without them. Congratulations, Amber.
Dining Services We will focus on dining services in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. What foods do you connect through your memories? How has food shaped your life and recollections? If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Kim Fair and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters August 2016
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