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
The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
January 2015
HIPAA 101 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.
One of Alan’s most challenging jobs in the past involved evacuating a continuing care community which was in community, well designed, full of friendly people, easy the path of Hurricane Charlie. As the director of the to get along with. There is a great staff. It seems to be a retirement community in Naples, Fla., Alan used large well-run community, and there is good hospitality.” buses to move residents to safer areas, including taking Alan doesn’t believe an interim executive director has to assisted living residents to sister communities on the be in a lame-duck position, and made it clear he intends east Florida coast. The residents from independent to push progress forward while he is here. living sat out the storm in a luxury hotel in Orlando. FLETCHER, continued from page 3
Community Matters 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.
‘O, when the saints go marching in’ Second graders from St. Gerard’s Majella, our local Catholic school, dressed as saints, gave us an overview of what each saint stands for and sang some songs for us at The Glen.
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.
Boutique boosts Good Samaritan Program Our Christmas Vendor Boutique was a huge success with 15 vendors. The OWLS (Older, Wiser, Lovely Souls) earned more than $170 to be donated to the PMMA Good Samaritan Program. A huge thanks goes to Kim in activities for the time and effort that she put into this project.
HIPPA, continued on page 3
A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America 4
Cool ways to beat the winter blues
HIPPA, continued from page 1
With less daylight and chilly temperatures keeping us inside, even the most optimistic person can get a little down during winter. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to beat the winter blues.
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 nowadays, they must have your consent to process your visit for billing, insurance purposes, etc.
Try these suggestions from our Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica experts. Eat a healthy diet What you eat impacts your mood and energy. Avoid refined and processed foods, such as white breads, rice and sugar. They have no nutrients, zap your energy and can lead to lack of concentration
and mood swings. Eat more complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat breads, brown rice, vegetables and fruit, and drink eight cups of water a day. Make a plan Having something to look forward to can help keep you motivated. If you plan something stimulating, your mood improves when you’re anticipating it and when the event actually rolls around. Plan something that’s exciting to you — a weekend trip, a day at the spa, or attending a concert or sporting event. Relax Try to spend a few minutes each day “doing nothing.” Read a book or magazine, listen to music, try
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Alan Fletcher, interim executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Loretta Cutler, health care lifestyle coordinator, lcutler@pmma.org. Telephone: 314-909-6010 Address: 505 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
2
meditation or take a yoga class. Relaxation can alleviate stress and leave you with a calm energy. Reach out Maintaining relationships is an important part of successful aging. Don’t be afraid to ask for encouragement when you need it. Get enough sleep Aim for seven to eight hours a night, and try to keep your bedtime consistent. A short afternoon nap of 10 to 30 minutes may energize you.
Neighbor of the Month: Pat Sundling Pat Sundling was born in Chicago and adopted by Thomas and Juliet Dee. She attended college in Chicago at Mundelleir, now known as Loyola. After getting her teaching degree, she taught in the Chicago School district. Pat also majored in music and loved playing the piano. She started dating and eventually married her childhood sweetheart Tom Sundling in 1950. They had three children. She continued teaching in Chicago for a total of 35 years. After her husband Pat Sundling died in 2003, she went on a tour of Europe. After returning home, she decided it was time to move close to her daughter in St. Louis and eventually moved to The Glen at Aberdeen Heights. Pat is enjoying her time here at The Glen. She loves the entertainment, having meals with friends and doing activities to keep her mind occupied. Staff and residents of assisted living at the Glen enjoy Pat’s warm and friendly smile!
Protected Health Information
That is also why it is so difficult to obtain information about friends in the hospital. Their condition, the reason they are in the hospital, even their names, are considered part of their medical record and 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: • 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. It’s a good idea for older adults to have their adult children sign a letter or form designating them as a personal representative in case the need arises. This will give the health care providers the coverage they require to avoid HIPAA violations, according to AARP.
Alan Fletcher named Interim Executive Director Alan Fletcher, a retired executive director with 40 years’ experience in senior communities, was named Interim Executive Director of Aberdeen Heights to provide staff and resident leadership while the search continues for a new executive director. Alan has been on the job since early November, wearing his signature bow tie.
While away from his home near Seattle, Wash., Alan is staying in an unsold Aberdeen apartment. His wife, Cathie, visited Aberdeen for two weeks in November. Alan made a trip back to their home in Snoqualmie to spend Thanksgiving weekend with their children and grandchildren. Alan Fletcher
When asked his impression of Aberdeen several weeks after his arrival, Alan replied, “It is a most comfortable FLETCHER, continued on page 4 3