Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor
February 2015
Residents, guests celebrate Christmas
Santa (Matt Wade) and his elf, Joshua McCarrell Jr., deliver Christmas gifts to health care and assisted living residents. The gifts were donated by members of Westwood Presbyterian Church.
The therapy room greatly expanded its inventory of equipment, including these hand weights and other amenities.
New in 2015 New therapy area delights residents, staff Just as assisted living and health care residents are settling into their new neighborhoods, Wichita Presbyterian Manor employees are finding a lot to like about their new workspace. For the physical therapy department, this includes several new therapeutic devices and a greatly expanded treatment area. Physical Therapy Director Erin Boen said the changes are significant. “We were basically in a hallway before, so we had very limited space. Now have some really cool new toys to play with,” Boen said.
Resident Tom Harmon won a decorative wreath at the assisted living Christmas dinner. Beautician Donna Renfro made the wreath.
One of the most exciting additions is the Omni VR Virtual Reality system, which uses an advanced 3D camera and software to track the patient’s movements and allow them to interact in a virtual world. It’s similar to the Kinect video game system, in which the players use their own bodies to control the action on the screen, rather than a handheld THERAPY, continued on page 2
Above: The Omni Virtual Rehabilitation System helps patients work on balance, strength, flexibility and cognition. It uses a motion-sensing camera similar that reads body movements. Left: The new therapy room is at least five times the size of the area in the old building, therapists say. It’s sunny and open, with curtain areas for privacy. THERAPY, continued from page 1
game controller. Omni VR allows therapists to program a broad range of exercises for seated and standing activities, balance, wheelchair control, and even cognitive exercises.
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. Dawn Veh, executive director Amy Watson, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Mary Angela Page, activities director, mpage@pmma.org. Telephone: 316-942-7456 Fax: 316-941-3806 Address: 4700 W. 13th St., Wichita, KS 67212-5575 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. WichitaPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters February 2015
“The therapist can stand right next to the resident, and the resident is still controlling things,” Boen said. Omni VR also collects quantifiable data to help them track each patient’s progress toward their goals. The center also includes new kitchen and bathroom areas designed to help residents with “activities of daily living,” or ADLs, Boen said. They can practice getting in and out of a bathtub, for example, or taking things out of the oven. “It helps them stay independent longer,” she said. New hydraulic mat tables can be raised or lowered to just the right height for each patient, Boen said. And residents who use walkers now can work on their balance with a new set of hydraulic parallel bars. The therapy center also has acquired new devices for e-stimulation, ultrasound and deep tissue heat therapy, or diathermy. These help with muscle performance, increasing blood flow, decreasing inflammation and reducing atrophy and spasms. They’re commonly used for post-surgical rehabilitation patients and stroke recovery, including speech and swallowing therapy. Boen said the therapists love the expanded and upgraded center, and residents are getting excited about it, too. “We have a lady in independent living who wanted to do all of her therapy in her room. But then we came over here and she said, ‘Let’s just go down to your place.’ Now she visits all the time. They love it here,” Boen said. “We love being able to help residents achieve their potential.”
New community arises from growing senior needs This month, we continue to look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan. This month, we continue our look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan.
the project. Dr. Robert Meneilly steered a committee of local and church leaders in the “Building for Our Future” campaign for Aberdeen Village.
In 1996, Presbyterians in Johnson County were convinced there was a need for a new Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus in the Greater Kansas City area, and specifically in Johnson County. At the time, there were no Christian-based nonprofit senior living communities offering the full continuum of care in Johnson County.
The project included a threestory building for 90 independent living apartments, 44 assisted living suites in a twostory building, and a 60-bed health care center with 15 spaces reserved for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
A 37-acre tract of land just east of West 119th Street and Ridgeview Road in Olathe was donated for
Construction began in 1999. Aberdeen Village opened its doors in May 2001 as the 17th campus for Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica.
“Be of Good Cheer” committee members honoring the work of Dr. Bob Meneilly.
Construction is underway on Aberdeen Village.
Coming Up in Community Matters Community Matters will be looking forward to the change in seasons to spring and preparing to celebrate Easter. We’re looking for residents with a story to tell. What’s your favorite March Madness memory? Who’s your favorite baseball team? Why? What’s your favorite baseball memory? What does spring mean to you? What do you remember about spring as a child or adult? What’s your favorite Easter memory? If you have a story to tell, contact Marketing Director Amy Watson to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.
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Wichita Presbyterian Manor 4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 Return Service Requested
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Community Matters February 2015