Newton Presbyterian Manor
Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays DECEMBER 2023
Local artist inspired to paint by Art is Ageless® competition A decade ago, Rita Patterson probably wouldn’t have considered herself an artist—much less a painter. However, that all changed once she learned about PMMA’s Art is Ageless® program. “I didn’t do any painting at all until a friend of mine suggested I paint something and enter the competition. I had never even heard of it before,” said Rita. Since then, Rita has gone on to win several awards at the competition’s masterpiece level, including this year when her painting, “Boat on the Boat on the Lakeshore by Rita Lakeshore,” was selected to be featured Patterson on a greeting card that was distributed with the 2024 Art is Ageless calendar. The idea for the painting originally came from a picture Rita saw on the front of a church bulletin a year or so ago. “It struck me as something very special and reminded me of all the Bible stories about Jesus and the disciples and all the time they spent out on the Sea of Galilee,” said Rita. Although Rita’s artistic abilities laid dormant for several years while she lived and worked on a farm, she believes that art was always a part of her DNA. “My uncle was an artist, but he died very young (I was five at the time), but maybe I got talent from him,” said Rita. As for Art is Ageless, Rita says she plans on continuing to enter just for her own enjoyment. “It’s fun, even if I don’t place, I like just seeing what I can do compared to others,” said Rita.u
The holidays are full of family, fun and tradition, but for some caregivers and people living with dementia, this season can also be incredibly stressful. Here are our top tips to help you and your loved one get through the holidays. 1. Avoid crowded and noisy places: Loud or crowded places can further confuse or frustrate someone living with dementia. Too many people or too many noises can be overstimulating. Instead, try to choose smaller and more low-key events that would not add to confusion or stress. 2. Maintain routines: This can be challenging when parties and holiday preparations disrupt our routine. Try however to keep your loved one’s routine unchanged. Some people living with dementia become confused or agitated in the evenings (sundowning). Consider celebrating earlier in the day to work around this. 3. Trust your instincts: You know more than anyone else how much you and your loved one can handle without feeling overwhelmed. If an event or group of visitors may be stressful or troublesome give yourself permission to reschedule or decline. It is okay to say “no”. u
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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The new 2024 Art is Ageless® Calendar has arrived! Visit ArtisAgeless.org for information on how to order. There you can also learn more about the program, meet the artists, even send an e-card. u
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Community Matters 316-283-5400 u Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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is published quarterly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: etrask@pmma.org Emily Trask, executive director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Pies in the Eyes Fundraiser Serves Up Funds and Laughs There wasn’t a dry eye on campus for the community’s Pies in the Eyes Fundraiser. Residents, employees, and their families were able to buy a chance to throw a pie at their favorite staff member. All proceeds went to the employee Christmas Fund. u
National Colton Day While National Colton Day is a real national holiday that falls on September 18 and is dedicated to celebrating anyone named Colton, the leadership team at Newton Presbyterian Manor took a light-hearted approach to the day by putting up these flyers around campus to prank our EVS Director.
Resident Referral Program If you have friends who are interested in becoming a part of our community, providing their names could lead to rewards – for both of you! Contact the sales office for more details.
Thanks for being a good sport, Colton! u
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820
Newton Presbyterian Manor shares customer service survey responses “I would tell them the people are Newton Presbyterian Manor continues to seek customer feedback friendly and nice,” said one through monthly telephone surveys. resident. “I appreciate the people that work here, the other people Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected who live here, and the facility itself.” to participate in telephone satisfaction We greatly value the opinions of surveys conducted by Pinnacle our residents and their Quality Insight. The graphic highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between September 2022 and August 2023, Newton Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in for demonstrating dignity and respect, safety and security, and meeting individual needs. Many also said they would recommend our community to others.
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representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u