Commun ty Matters Topeka Presbyterian Manor
March 2019
Art is Ageless® exhibit, reception features local senior artists Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity. This month, their works are on display at Topeka Presbyterian Manor. “It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Chelsea Watgen, director of sales and marketing. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Topeka community.” The Art is Ageless exhibit will AIA, continued on page 2
New sidewalks and parking lots at Topeka Presbyterian Manor are in progress.
Temporary inconvenience yields several long-term improvements If you’ve traveled to or from Topeka Presbyterian Manor recently, you’ve no doubt noticed some things aren’t quite like they used to be. Starting in early February, work began on resurfacing the entire parking lot, as well as many walkways. “Some residents have had to park in different places while work is going on, but it’s only temporary. The project is supposed to take around a month, so hopefully, it will wrap up in mid-March, depending on the weather. It’s something that’s been needed for a while now, so we’re glad to see it happening,” said Chelsea Watgen, director of sales and marketing. If you have any questions regarding the process, please contact Sterling Emerson, operations manager, at 785-272-6510.
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feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents. The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of acrylics, oils, photography and various other mediums, ranging from amateur to professional levels. The exhibit is open March 26 to 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the exhibit, Topeka Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2 p.m. March 29. For information, contact Marketing Director Chelsea Watgen at 785-2726510 or cwatgen@pmma.org.
Appreciation for Angel Appeal Thank you for all of the generous hearts who donated to our Angel Appeal campaign, which benefits our Good Samaritan Program. This program helps ensure that residents who have run out of resources through no fault of their own can continue calling this “home.” Mrs. Janice L. Adams Ms. Debra Akins Mr. and Mrs. James G. Armfield Mrs. Marge A. Bauer Mrs. Lois Bogia Mrs. Greta M. Bone Mrs. Hazel A. Burge Mr. Robert and Mrs. Agnes Cox Mrs. Marion A. Desch Mrs. Arliss R. Douglass
Ms. LaNelle Frey Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Greenlee Mrs. Rose M. Hinde Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Key Ms. Danica Loftin Ms. Marilyn McCullough Ms. Donna Meredith Dr. and Mrs. Kent E. Palmberg, M.D. Ms. Heather Pilkinton Qualicare Inc. Mrs. Anne F. Rhoads Mr. and Mrs. H. Dale Sandberg Mr. Donald and Mrs. Peggy Shrewsbury Mrs. Velma Strawn Mr. Frank Thompson Topeka Presbyterian Manor Resident Council Fund Autl Ways
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Heather Pilkinton, executive director Chelsea Watgen, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Chelsea Watgen, marketing director, cwatgen@pmma.org. Telephone: 785-272-6510 Fax: 785-272-0496 Address: 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave., Topeka, KS 66606-2284 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. TopekaPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters March 2019
In Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we have partnered with Pinnacle Quality Insight. This company will periodically contact the people we serve via telephone to conduct an interview regarding their impression of our service. We use this feedback as a tool to continually improve our quality of care and enhance our relationships. When you are contacted to participate in the survey, they will always identify themselves specifically as being with Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. We greatly value your opinions and encourage you to be frank and honest when contacted.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
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You’re never too old, busy or rusty to make music By Amy Nathan, Next Avenue Do you ever wish you knew how to play a musical instrument? If so, you are not alone.Yet a 2012 National Endowment for the Arts survey found that just 12 percent of U.S. adults were playing musical instruments. This gap between aspiration and actuality occurs despite research showing that making music, as a pro or amateur, is good for the brain and may delay the onset of some of the mental decline of aging. Scans of musicians’ brains have shown that playing an instrument involves greater communication among regions of the brain than with other tasks, which may lead a musician’s brain to create new neural pathways. Those extra pathways may provide musicians with “cognitive reserve” when dementia strikes because their brains “will automatically be more able to cope and find new ways to do tasks,” explains Canadian neuroscientist Aline Moussard. Carving out time for music Given this tantalizing research, why haven’t more adults followed through on their desire to play an instrument? Some have said they had no time to spare. However, the time needed may not be as much as one might think, according to 274 adults who told me—as part of my research for a new book, “Making Time for Making Music”—how they carve out time to make music. Ranging in age from 25 to 96, most of them play instruments and a quarter play instruments and sing in choral groups. About five Like us on Facebook
percent don’t practice music at home but still enjoy being part of a community ensemble or choir. About a quarter practice only one or two days a week. Of those who do practice, about 15 percent spend 30 minutes or less a week, often finding ways to shoehorn practice into spare moments. Those who practice more may make more progress, but as Liz Sogge, a Baltimore statistician who plays violin in the Johns Hopkins University Concert Orchestra notes, “There is nothing wrong with never playing at the level of a worldclass violinist.” Music lessons are another timeeater, particularly for newcomers or those who haven’t studied music for years. But there are lower-cost group classes and ensembles that try to speed up the learning process. New Horizons International Music Association has more than 200 such ensembles geared to adults age 50 and over that help newcomers make music as quickly as possible. Only half of the adults I surveyed are taking lessons, with half of them doing so weekly, the rest less often.
‘You feel as if you are soaring’ A lack of confidence in their musical abilities may hold back some wouldbe musicmakers, caused by feelings left over from less-than-positive childhood musical experiences. It is possible to reboot as an adult by trying a different instrument or type of music, finding beginner-friendly ensembles and realizing that recitals are optional. Some adults may also be unaware of the many new opportunities available now. Music schools began expanding their adult programming as boomers started nearing retirement age. Adults currently make up about 25 percent of the enrollment at Baltimore’s Peabody Institute’s Preparatory Division. Once adults make the plunge, it’s not neurological research that spurs them to make it to an ensemble rehearsal. Instead, it’s the joy they find there, as violinist and Washington, D.C., arts fundraiser Maya Weil notes. “When you are playing with others and it is going well, you feel as if you are soaring.” Topeka Presbyterian Manor
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Topeka Presbyterian Manor 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 Return Service Requested
4712 SW Sixth Topeka, KS 66606
Topeka Presbyterian Manor
When & Where Feb 1 5- april 30
2019
TopekaPresbyterianManor.org
As our gift to you, make an appointment to learn the latest about Topeka Presbyterian Manor from Feb. 15 through April 30, 2019, and we’ll send you home with a complimentary
dinner for two, to go!
Plus, discover how you can save up to $10,000 and enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle at Topeka Presbyterian Manor.
TO schedule your appointment, please call one of our Senior living specialists at 785-272-6510.
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Community Matters March 2019
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