Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor
August 2017
Vision technology helps resident keep living Resident rediscovers talent for sculpture independently When Donna Berner moved to the Westerly Residences recently, her chronic vision problems became even more of a challenge. She struggled to learn her new surroundings and meet people. “Trying to meet neighbors and make friends is a lot harder when you can’t see their faces.” As a result, Donna felt detached from the community around her. Donna had been wearing glasses for years due to double vision caused by Grave’s disease. When she also was diagnosed with macular degeneration, she really began to worry about losing her independence. But at a recent checkup, Donna’s eye doctor had good news about a new technology that has the potential to be a game-changer in the world of the VISION, continued on page 3
Throughout his career as an architect, Al Nees helped create some of downtown Wichita’s iconic structures, including the Wichita Public Library and the telephone company building at First and Broadway. But in retirement, Al, a new resident at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, has blossomed as a sculptor, creating a new type of structure and art in clay.
It was about 25 years ago when Al first set foot in a sculpture studio at City Arts in Old Town. He and another architect decided to take the class together. “One day were saying to each other, ‘I’ve never done any sculpting before; maybe I should try it.’ We did and had that first class. It’s really interesting to do, and I felt very, very much like a kindergartener among the professionals in the class. Some of those people are utterly marvelous. I had a lot of teachers around me.” His official teacher was Babs Mellor, who has been teaching sculpture in Wichita for more than 40 years. Over the years, Al had gotten away from sculpting until his daughter suggested he check out the classes at the Wichita Center for the Arts. He walked into the clay studio and right away, there was a familiar face. “Babs was there, and she said, ‘I know you!’ She’s a real neat character.” Babs announced that the class’s project for the year would be to create a SCULPTURE, continued on page 2
neighborhood at Presbyterian Manor renamed this year to Mark Arts. “Jesus Shepherd” has since moved to life-size bust of a god from Greek or this year. Roman mythology. The prospect was After he settled in, activity director his church library. daunting. Angela Page asked if he had any The sculpture is meant to signify ideas for trips the residents could that Christ is asking us to walk hand “I just thought, ‘Oh my goodness.’ take. He didn’t hesitate to suggest in hand with him through life, as Al I went home and thought about a trip to the arts center, which was has tried to do himself. that, and I prayed about that,” Al said. The next week, he went in early and showed Babs a sketch he’d made. It was a Christ-like shepherd carrying a lamb in his left arm and Several employees at Wichita The education assistance program extending his right arm in invitation. provides scholarships to employees Presbyterian Manor will receive He spent the school year sculpting for accredited educational programs “Jesus Shepherd.” When finished, he assistance to continue their education leading to a certification, license or through Presbyterian Manors of painted the bust a dark color with degree. Applications are accepted and Mid-America’s Employee Education a bronze glaze, to give it a metallic reviewed every spring.To be eligible, Assistance program. look. employees must have been employed at Human Resource Director Lori Al moved to the Westwinds PMMA for at least one year Schartz is usually the person who at the time the award tells employees is made (usually about benefits, mid-summer). Funds but she herself is are paid after the successful taking advantage completion (a “C” grade or higher) of of the education assistance benefit the approved course and can be used to Community Matters this year. Lori is pursuing a graduate cover tuition, fees and books. is published monthly for residents certificate in conflict resolution from and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Six other Wichita Presbyterian Manor Kansas State University. She has a Manor by Presbyterian Manors of employees also received assistance for Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit bachelor of science degree in business their education.They are: 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at administration with an emphasis in HR PresbyterianManors.org. and has been with Presbyterian Manor • Noemi Arzola, LPN, pursuing RN Dawn Veh, executive director since 2014. Melody Dodge, marketing director • Aimee Lara, RN, pursuing bachelor To submit or suggest articles for Lori said she wanted to expand her of science in nursing (BSN) this publication, contact Amy Watson, understanding of dealing with conflicts life enrichment director, • Paola Marin, CNA, studying to be a because she sees challenges our staff awatson@pmma.org. certified medication aide (CMA) have in working with all kinds of Telephone: 316-942-7456 personalities. Fax: 316-941-3806 • Kristen Nowak, CNA, studying to be Address: 4700 W. 13th St., an LPN Wichita, KS 67212-5575 “We are human, so everyone • Paige Peterson, CNA, studying to be experiences some kind of conflict in Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian an LPN our personal lives and work lives,” values. she said. “If I can be a resource and/ • Roxanne Reed, RN, pursuing BSN WichitaPresbyterianManor.org or facilitator in any workplace conflict, then staff are happier, we have less Congratulations to all of our award turnover for our community, and they recipients, and best wishes to them on their studies! can better serve our residents.” SCULPTURE, continued from page 1
Education award winners announced
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Community Matters August 2017
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Wichita artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners Five winning artists in Wichita Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless juried competition will be featured in the 2018 Art is Ageless Calendar produced by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. The following pieces will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall. • “Navy Pier,” a painting by Maria Ctibor • “Red Pear,” a painting by Henry “Skip” Kreibach • “No Parking,” a drawing by Fredric Cowart •“Winter Bliss,” a Christmas entry by Dennis D. McKay •“Evening Star – Feathered Star,” a quilt by Nancy Kreibach Works by local winners are automatically entered into a
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blind and visually impaired. The OrCam MyEye is a small camera that attaches to the eyeglass frame and uses facial recognition software to identify people, read text, and otherwise describe objects in the wearer’s field of vision, from grocery labels to currency. The unit speaks what it sees to the wearer and prompts her to perform actions. It’s especially helpful in fighting the effects of macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. It causes deterioration in the center part of the retina, destroying center vision over time. Faces begin to blur, becoming unrecognizable. Reading and driving become impossible as details are harder to discern. Like us on Facebook
“Winter Bliss” by Dennis D. McKay.
masterpiece level competition with winning art from 16 other PMMA communities. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar and notecards. Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian
“It’s a strange disease that people don’t understand,” she says. “They see you walk across the room and navigate it without any problems. The fact is, I will probably never fall over a piece of furniture.” Donna knew the device would allow her to continue living independently and relieve some of her family’s concerns. She had to have it, even though her doctor told her it was expensive and not covered by insurance. Donna bought her own unit. Envision, a Wichita company that works to improve quality of life for the blind and visually impaired, is relying on Donna’s experience and feedback, so their staff can teach others how to use it. Envision purchased a MyEye device as well.
Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. The Art is Ageless program encourages Wichita Presbyterian Manor residents and other area WINNERS, continued on page 4
“There are still a lot of blips to work through,” Donna said. For example, the OrCam might interpret 1 ¾ teaspoons as “one hundred thirty-four t-s-p.” When she demonstrated it for us, the device struggled to distinguish a box of regular yellow cake mix from a sugar-free version. Donna does not get discouraged by the learning curve, though. She is excited to have the OrCam to see and experience the world in a whole new way. And she’s grateful to have her grandson Andrew offer tech support when she needs it. “I recommend if you get one, you have a very smart grandchild,” Donna joked. Wichita Presbyterian Manor
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WINNERS continued from page 3
seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events and educational opportunities. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.
“No Parking” by Fredric Cowart.
“Red Pear” by Henry “Skip” Kreibach.
“Evening Star - Feathered Star” by Nancy Kreibach.
“Navy Pier” by Maria Ctibor.
How can I help employees? Resident Satisfaction Survey Resident Satisfaction Survey results will be available by Aug. 15 at your campus. Watch your resident mailbox, or ask for a copy at the reception desk.
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Community Matters August 2017
To recognize a special caregiver or staff member, make a gift in an employee’s honor to the Education Assistance Fund. Every gift helps employees reach their education goals. Make a tax deductible gift at: PresbyterianManors.org/Give_Now Or make a gift at your PMMA community. Like us on Facebook