Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor
Reflections on my ‘little’ grandma By Mary Bridges, Salina Presbyterian Manor chaplain
Growing up, I always felt a little cheated. I only had one grandparent, my father’s mom, whom I was named after. She was very short, probably just five feet tall. My nieces and nephews, who had an abundance of grandparents, nicknamed her “little” grandma. She came to the United States with the Germans from Russia when she was 16. Her first job was as a maid at a hotel. She did not have an easy life. She had a very large family with 15 children. My grandfather, who died before I was born, was an alcoholic. Her oldest son died when he was just 20, and several other children died when they were very young. While she could speak English, she could neither read nor write it. I would always read her letters that came from our family in California, and then she would tell me what she wanted to write, and I would write the letters for her. Imagine. I had my first secretarial job when I was still in elementary school. CHAPLAIN, continued on page 2
September 2015
Music & Memory
Powerful project coming to Presbyterian Manors In the documentary film “Alive Inside,” headphones are placed on a woman with dementia, who hasn’t opened her eyes or communicated in two years. Within moments of hearing a favorite old song, she is moving to the music under her bedcovers. The subject of the film is Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, which promotes the use of digital music players with individualized playlists to improve the quality of life for elders (watch it online at aliveinside.us). Aging can erase a person’s identity, Cohen says in the film, but music can help restore that sense of self. Now, employees at several Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities are becoming certified in the Music & Memory program, including RaShelle Hensley, social services director for Salina Presbyterian Manor. Among other benefits, Hensley hopes the music therapy may reduce the need for antipsychotic medications in some residents. “Music can really affect that. Music affects different parts of the brain, and that can stimulate the parts that have been affected by dementia,” Hensley said. “The goal is to download music that has meaning to that person. It could be something they sang when their kids were little, or something from their wedding or a special occasion.” Her training included guidance on talking with residents and their family members to create personalized playlists. Salina Presbyterian Manor received 10 new and refurbished iPods and headphones to start the program. Hensley is seeking donations of more devices, plus iTunes gift cards to purchase songs online and load them onto the players. That’s the time-consuming part, so Hensley would welcome volunteers to help with that task. MUSIC, continued on page 3
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Open house A public open house is scheduled for September. Several residents have agreed to open their homes to those in the community at large who would like to have a look at Presbyterian Manor life. The goal is for people to understand that independent living here is similar to living in their own homes, but without the worries and expenses of ongoing maintenance. Life doesn’t change, but the lifestyle can.
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
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Coming up in Community Matters We will be thinking about Thanksgiving in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. Does your family have a special recipe that is made each Thanksgiving dinner, one that it’s not Thanksgiving unless it’s on the table? What about a special Thanksgiving tradition? Share your Thanksgiving memories by contacting Marketing Director Kim Fair, and your memories, traditions or recipe may be selected for an upcoming issue of Community Matters.
CHAPLAIN, continued from page 1
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
If you stopped by her house in the evening, you would find her sitting on her loveseat in her flannel nightgown with her hair in a single long braid, as she prayed and sang hymns in her first language, German.
SalinaPresbyterianManor.org
Somehow, her words in a language I didn’t understand gave me a glimpse of God and her relationship with Him. Unknowingly, she shared with me her faith and her love of a God who sustained her during her 99 years of life. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for this gift to me.
Community Matters September 2015
Soup Supper is Oct. 23 Fall is around the corner. That means the Manor’s annual soup supper is too! This year it will be Friday, Oct. 23, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Carryout will start earlier this year, at 4 p.m., and continue until 7. Ticket sales are underway; prices are $8 in advance and $9 at the door. Several changes have been made to this year’s event. Carry-out service has been moved to the Chapel. The Ivory Keys Café will be the only eat-in dining area, and hours will be extended by a half hour, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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Volunteers are needed to sell tickets, cut pies, bake goods for our bake sale and help serve drinks, pies, and soup in the Ivory Keys Dining Room. Shifts are 4:15-5:45 p.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. If you want additional details about volunteer opportunities for the Soup Supper, please contact Janet Smith, volunteer coordinator, in the business office area, or call 825-1366 or email her at jsmith@pmma.org.
Employee of the Month Congratulations to Jeanne Edwards, Employee of the Month for August. Jeanne has worked at Salina Presbyterian Manor for 18 years as a CNA. She has one son, Jeremy Rogge. Jeanne graduated from Brown Mackie College with a degree in medical records. She has three dogs—two of which are rescue dogs, or maybe they rescued her. She also raises cattle, which is a Jeanne Edwards lot of work, but which she enjoys. She also enjoys reading and travel. One thing we didn’t know about Jeanne is that she used to enter open class baking at the Tri-Rivers Fair. She won overall champion so many times that she was barred from entering again.
MUSIC, continued from page 1
The program isn’t restricted to memory care, and Hensley eventually would like to offer iPods to as many residents as possible. “I know when I listen to oldies stations, I hear music that makes me think back to high school, or grade school even, with one of my friends,” Hensley said. “Those memories from long ago are still there, whether they can express them or not. That’s what the music does – it brings back those memories.”
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Fall Prevention Month September is fall prevention month. Celice Plank from the therapy department will talk about fall prevention and the importance of exercise in preventing falls. The program is Sept. 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Ivory Keys Café.
OSHER Institute Lifelong Learning classes The first Osher Institute class will be “The Life and Times of Harry Truman,” presented in three classes by Dr. Jim Peters, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at KU and author of “Arlington National Cemetery: Shrine to America’s Heroes.” The series is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23 and 30, and Oct. 7, in the chapel.
Upcoming events Check SAMN for details of our September Travel & Taste excursion.
Kenwood Cove Summer Fling The annual pool and water park party for employees and family was Aug. 7. Dinner was Hog Wild Pit Barbecue in Oakdale Park followed by pool and water park activities at Kenwood Cove.
Alzheimer’s Walk Salina Presbyterian Manor was a sponsor of the local Alzheimer’s Walk Aug. 22 at Jerry Ivey Park. We’ll share the total amount raised for the Alzheimer’s Association in an upcoming newsletter.
The September Art Discovery is “Flora and fauna: Sun painting with nature.” Participants will use different cuttings from nature, place them on light sensitive paper and leave them in sunlight to create a beautiful pieces of art.
Health Care happenings September’s theme is “Back to Mayberry.” Events will include making Aunt Bee’s broccoli salad and Opie and Leon’s buttermilk pie. Discussions will center on early television shows such as “Gunsmoke,” and painter Grandma Moses.
Thursday Night Cruisers
The art project for the month will be making bird feeders to sell at the Soup Supper craft sale.
The Thursday Night Cruisers were a big hit again this year. They enjoyed a root beer float with us on Aug. 13 and spent some time letting us look at their cars and ask questions. Thanks, Cruisers!
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Community Matters September 2015