Commun ty Matters Topeka Presbyterian Manor
Lifestyle changes key to Alzheimer’s prevention We now have a prescription that researchers think can delay or prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not a pill, it’s a list of lifestyle choices. Results from a landmark study announced this summer show that having a healthy lifestyle may be the key. “It’s the first time we have been able to give people a kind of recipe for what is useful,” said Maria Carrillo, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association. More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Millions more will likely develop dementia as the baby boomers age. In the study, researchers looked at 1,260 people in Finland from 60 to 77 years old, who were at risk for Alzheimer’s. One group went on a lifestyle improvement program and the other group received general health advice. The results were dramatic. The lifestyle program included: Eat well: Start by adding fruits and vegetables to your regular diet. Ease out fats and fried foods, and always choose whole grains rather than highly refined bakery products. BRAIN, continued on page 6
November 2014
Bob Evertson Volunteer brings tail-wagging good time For 22 years now, Topeka resident Bob Evertson has given back to the city in a special way, by bringing the joy of canine companionship to local retirement homes. “I love seeing the smiles on peoples’ faces. Their hands reach out to pet the dogs, and you can tell they really enjoy their company,” Bob said. “Recently, I passed a room where a lady had just been cared for by nurses. She seemed a bit down, but when she petted my dogs Sandy and Chance, she got a big smile on her face.”
Bob Evertson, right, with Santa and two of his therapy dogs.
Not only has Bob been doing this for more than two decades, he’s also done so with one particular breed, the Shetland sheepdog, most commonly referred to as a sheltie. “Holly was my first dog. She was trained by a man named Merle Harper, who suggested I might start taking her into some local nursing homes,” Bob said. “I was still working at the time, so I went during evenings or weekends. When I retired, I could go during the day.” Bob’s line of companion dogs has been in a continuous cycle of training, with one generation teaching the next. “Amanda was my second dog. I would take her and Holly together. When Holly passed, I got Misty from a local shelter. She’d been abused and needed a lot of bathing. She took about four months to prepare for community visits,” Bob said. “Then, I got Chance when he was about four-and-a-half months old, and Amanda and Misty helped train him. Eventually, Amanda and Misty passed, and Chance was lonesome. So that’s when I got Sandy.” Bob and his line of well-trained shelties have brought many smiles to the faces at Presbyterian Manor over the years. “Every once in awhile, someone doesn’t want to be visited by the dogs. Maybe they’re allergic or THERAPY, continued on page 2
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S’mores Resident Daisy Hunter gets ready to roast her marshmallow at our wiener and s’mores roast, a great fall activity.
THERAPY, continued from page 1
just aren’t dog people. That’s OK,” said Bob. “The dogs can sense this, too, and gravitate toward those with big smiles on their faces. It brings joy to Chance and Sandy, too.” Bob, Chance and Sandy are able to visit around 22 residents in a 90-minute visit. “Chance has learned rooms he’s supposed to go into, and they walk ahead of me because they know the building so well,” said Bob. Keep an eye out for Bob and his crew on their next visit, and if you’re one who enjoys visiting with the dogs, Bob has something special planned for the holidays. “At Christmas, everyone we visit gets a Christmas card with me, Chance and Sandy on it.” Presbyterian Manor appreciates Bob’s time. If you’re interested in volunteering, or want to know more about our animal outreach programs, call Activities Director Jeanne Bird at 785-272-6510. 2
New decade, new locations, new services This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life.
The 1980s brought growth in independent living options on many Presbyterian Manor campuses. New duplexes and apartments were constructed in Parsons, Lawrence, Wichita and Salina. It also brought construction of two new campuses and health care additions at the Wichita and Rolla campuses.
The first scholarships were given in 1981. Those funds served as seed for today’s Employee Education Assistance Grants.
Consideration of additional campuses continued through the 1980s as well. Efforts to raise funds for a Presbyterian Manor at Hays were not successful, and By early 1980, the United after thorough study, the board Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas’ authorized sale of the property in joint project with the Manhattan June 1980. The next year, a group Retirement Foundation was open. of citizens in Emporia petitioned PMMA continued to provide for construction of a campus in that management services for the new community, and a period of study Meadowlark Hills until July 1, 1981. and fundraising began. Additional campuses in Missouri also were Salina Presbyterian Manor opened considered in Jefferson City and its doors in February 1980, Springfield. and work started on additional apartments almost immediately. The PMMA board voted to sell In addition to the expansion of Mid-Continent Presbyterian the physical plant, two important Manor, a campus formerly operated programs of PMMA began in 1980. by the Board of Pensions of the Residents, staff and advisory board Presbyterian Church of the United members were invited to submit art States. Residents of the campus, and poetry for potential inclusion in located in Kansas City, Mo., were the inaugural Art is Ageless calendar. given the option of moving to the Kansas City, Kan., campus. The sale A donor’s $10,000 gift established was completed in 1983. the Education Fund for PMMA employees, residents and trustees. New services and new needs also
From left, Salina Mayor Karen Graves, Milton Morrison and Harry Steele.
The newly constructed six-story independent living apartment building at Salina Presbyterian Manor.
were explored. With the support of the Synod of Mid-America, PMMA worked to establish a campus for severely physically handicapped adults in Hutchinson. Home health care for residents living independently on PMMA campuses was started in 1984. Piloted in Salina, the service was expanded to other campuses before the end of the year.
reading, pursuing a hobby, playing a musical instrument Move more: “We shouldn’t just be encouraging people or singing. Having a purpose involves brain flexing, as well. For this, you can set goals and follow through or to exercise, we should discourage them from being solve a problem, for example. sedentary,” one researcher said. Researchers found that moderate activity such as chores and walking – not just Social interaction: Social relationships foster high-intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or support, and this connectedness, as we grow older, biking – can protect the thinking process. Taking a walk is critical to our wellness. When we converse, our after dinner is an excellent habit. Always consult your brains are busy dealing with the activities of listening, physician before beginning an exercise program. observing, understanding and conversing.You can Brain games: Two excellent ways to train your brain is combine some of these activities for added impact, such to flex it and have a purpose. Things you can do on your as playing cards, joining an exercise class, participating own include working a crossword puzzle or jumble, in a book club and attending a lecture. BRAIN, continued from page 1
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Topeka Presbyterian Manor 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 Return Service Requested
Thanksgiving recipes remembered Resident Marjorie Selander recalls a delicious recipe that her mother made, especially (but not only) at Thanksgiving: Her wonderful mulberry/ gooseberry pie. The mulberry tree was in the chicken yard and the gooseberry bush was in the garden. Her mother would lay a sheet down under the mulberry tree to catch the berries. Mary Harrison’s mother-in-law made a cranberry apple salad that had gelatin and nuts in it every year. None of their children were fond of the salad, but Mary would make it and put in small jars in the freezer for her and her husband to enjoy from fall to spring. 4
Join us for a Veterans Remembers program on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.