Aberdeen Village Community Matters April 2020

Aberdeen Village

APRIL 2020

Safety update Presbyterian Manor Families of Residents, and Visitors,

Janet Elliott

Janet Elliott keeps her schedule full Janet Elliott isn’t a big fan of letting moss grow. Just one glimpse at her monthly planner and one will understand. There are her regular canasta games each Thursday and every other Monday, bowling on Tuesdays, and of course regular engagements with friends and her PEO sisters. If there’s one thing she enjoys, it’s being on the move.

This time last year, a move to Aberdeen Village was the last thing on her mind. She was busy enjoying her busy life in her Olathe-area home. However, last fall, her daughter and daughter’s mother-in-law approached her about exploring different retirement living options.

That’s what led her to Aberdeen Village.

“I’d always heard good things about Aberdeen Village, and it was very close to my family,” Janet said.

Keeping our residents and staff healthy is a top priority for PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica). We fully understand health care workers and seniors are at a higher risk of experiencing serious infections, so our staff members are doing their very best to stay current on every change that is occurring in this rapidly changing environment.

On March 13, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced strict in-person visitation guidelines for senior health care communities. All PMMA communities are enforcing limited access for in-person visitation.

Limited Access means all visits to the community must be rescheduled except in case of endof-life situations per the March 13 guidelines released by CMS.

She’d heard some of those good things from her friend and Aberdeen Village resident Rosella Fischer. Janet and Rosella didn’t grow up in the same town or go to college together; they met in an RV park in Apache Junction, Ariz. Both spent winters there after retirement.

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“Rosella was the director of the park’s choir, and I sang in the choir,” said Janet. “We discovered that we both had kids in Olathe, and kind of hit it off there.”

At the time Janet was still living in Washington, Kan., the town she had called home for more than 50 years. She’s originally from North Dakota, but left home to attend Westmar University, a Christian institution in La Mars, Iowa. It was there she met Wayne, the man who would become her husband. A few years after college, they started a life together on Wayne’s family farm.

“Wayne came from a farming family, but he was very interested in teaching,” said Janet. “He worked his way from an elementary teacher, to a secondary teacher, to a principal and then eventually superintendent. He was a wonderful teacher, and many of his students went on to great careers.”

All the while, the family also farmed. Tragically, Wayne died in a farming accident when he was just 47 years old. After Wayne’s death, with a 14-year-old daughter to care for, Janet moved from the family farm into Washington.

Janet built a career at the First National Bank of Washington. She worked her way up to officer, and

retired after more than 40 years of service.

“One of my coworkers told me if he would have worked there that long, he would have owned the place,” Janet joked.

In retirement, Janet enjoyed a busy life in Washington, but was eventually drawn to Olathe by her two wonderful granddaughters.

They were three and five when she moved here, and both are now teenagers.

Her friend Rosella had also made the move to be closer to her family, and the two would often get together for breakfast at McDonald’s. Rosella and her husband eventually moved to Aberdeen Village.

“Rosella had me over for lunch, and then back for dinner,” said Janet.

“It was also close to my family, so I knew I would be able to see them often.”

When she made the decision to move to Aberdeen Village, her daughter Mari Jo took the reins.

“She helped pick the paint and the flooring, she helped me find furniture and picked out the bed spreads,” Janet said. “Everything I wanted to bring from home fit, too, and that really meant a lot to me.”

The move was a big change for her,

and she is still adjusting, but she has found the move to be a great fit for her lifestyle.

“I like the privacy,” she said. “I’m able to meet and socialize with new people, but also enjoy time to myself when I want.”

In just her few months here, she has become a regular at the morning exercise class and has developed bonds with several people. Like most Aberdeen residents, she’s a big fan of the dining program, too.

“I really enjoy the variety,” Janet said. “Even if it’s not on the menu, they’ll bend over backwards to please you.”

She’s also enjoyed the close proximity to her family.

“My daughter and son-in-law pick me up for church on Sundays, and they’ve all been able to come and have brunch with me afterwards,” she said. “My granddaughters can be picky eaters, and they’ve even been pleased with the food.”

“I’m a firm believer that God had His hand in this,” Janet said. “I haven’t seen it yet, but I know I will.”

If you see Janet coming-and-going, be sure to say hello — especially if you’re interested in a good canasta game.

Welcome to the family, Janet! ◆

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ABERDEEN VILLAGE A PMMA COMMUNITY

913-599-6100 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061-9524 AberdeenVillage.com

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2020

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.

To submit or suggest articles: soehlert@PMMA.org Tim Allin, executive director Stephanie Oehlert, director of sales and marketing

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Nursing is not only a choice — it’s a calling Kim Bond says that she isn’t really certain that she decided on a career in nursing.

“I sometimes feel like nursing chose me rather than the other way around,” said Kim, who serves as the assistant director of nursing for health care at Aberdeen Village. “I got a job as a nurse assistant while in high school simply because I wanted a little spending money, but it was a fit right from the start and I’ve never left.”

Kim has worked as a nurse since 1987, and she came to Aberdeen Village in 2016. Prior to that, she worked for Kansas City Presbyterian Manor. In her role at Aberdeen Village, she serves as the lead wound care nurse, leads the restorative nursing program and helps orient new nurses on staff.

“Every day is definitely different,” she said. “I’ve worked in hospitals, home health and nursing facilities.

There are so many kinds of nursing you can do, it never gets boring.”

In Kim’s view, it’s a matter of heart that compels people to enter a career in nursing.

“I think many people are caregivers at heart and choose nursing as a way to make a positive impact on other people’s lives,” she said.

Kim pointed to the importance of teamwork and help from nursing assistants as key components in delivering quality, compassionate care to Aberdeen Village residents.

While nurses work most closely with residents, they also have to build a bond of trust—not only with the resident, but with family members and others on staff.

“I have a lot of respect for the role nurse assistants play in a community like Aberdeen, and we have some of the best I’ve ever worked with here,” Kim said. “I teach a nurse assistant course at the community college, so I have a hand in taking people with a desire to be a caregiver and giving them the tools they need to become certified and work as a nurse assistant. I love bringing my students to Aberdeen Village for the clinical part of class, because this community provides a great example of person-centered care.”

This year is officially the Year of the Nurse, to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of legendary nurse Florence Nightingale. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the contributions nurses make every day, especially for those who call Aberdeen Village home.

“One of my all-time favorite quotes

by Florence Nightingale is ‘Let us never consider ourselves finished

nurses. We must be learning all of our lives,’” Kim said. “Those words still hold true today, and it’s important we celebrate nurses and their ability to constantly learn and adapt to be able to provide the best possible care to their patients.”

She sees those words lived out by the nurses at Aberdeen Village who strive every day to put their patients at the center of their work.

“I love working with this great team,” she said. “Every employee in every department here tries to do their job with our residents’ interests in mind.”

Outside of work, Kim is often busy with her family, which includes three children and four grandchildren.

“I like going on road trips and I’m always excited to go to a new place and try to get a true sense of that particular community,” Kim said.

“I am an avid reader, and I much prefer print books to e-books.” ◆

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Faith drives volunteer spirit for Joseph Cinalli Every Monday and Wednesday, you can find Joseph Cinalli fulfilling his faith as a volunteer, delivering communion and rosary for the Catholic residents at Aberdeen Village.

he said.

“I felt being retired, I wanted to do more to practice my faith,” Joe said.

“I had been a eucharistic minister for a number of years. My wife had gotten cancer, and we talked, and felt like I wanted to do something more.”

“I get close with all the people,” Joe said. “I know all their first names.

One in particular had a debilitating illness. She wasn’t supposed to live to be a teenager. She just passed last year at 83. She couldn’t communicate well, she tried to speak but the words were warbled.

Seeing her was an inspiration to me. She never missed. I’d tell anyone thinking of volunteering that it’s been so gratifying to me, and I know it will be to them.”

For the past five years, Joe has dutifully and eagerly, without fail, provided communion on Mondays and communion and rosary on Wednesdays. For those who can’t gather for the service, he’ll take the time to visit one-on-one.

Joe said his call to service began years before, after witnessing the inspiring dedication of priests— which led him to feel that attending mass wasn’t quite enough.

“Since I retired, I could do more,”

The experience has been fulfilling and rewarding, Joe said, and one he’d recommend to anyone considering volunteering at Aberdeen Village.

“Joe is very dedicated and almost never misses, even on holidays,” said Chaplain Diane Gunsolley.

“Three years ago, my wife passed away,” Joe said. “It’s just me and a little dog in the house. It gives me something positive in my life to do.”

In addition to his relationship with residents, Joe has found support and friendship with staff as well. The staff helps bring residents to the services, and works to make sure they are accessible to all who want to attend.

“I have been impressed with the chaplain, who is encouraging me to do more for the wants and needs of the Catholic residents,” Joe said.

“Aberdeen has expressed their appreciation to me in a variety of ways, and I have expressed my appreciation to them for being there. It’s a privilege to serve God and to bring that to the residents there.” ◆

Source: Pinnacle Quality Insight (12 month ave.

Jan. - Dec. 2019)

5 4 3 2

4.63 Cleanliness ASSISTED LIVING

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2020

4.89 Dignity & Respect PATH

4.83

Safety & Security HEALTH CARE

4.84

Recommend to Others INDEPENDENT LIVING

Aberdeen Village Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception to feature senior artists Aberdeen Village’s annual Art is Ageless® exhibit features the work of local senior artists. This year, we also are marking the 40th anniversary of the Art is Ageless® program.

At this time, we plan to offer the Art is Ageless exhibit virtually on our Aberdeen Village Facebook page.

Art is Ageless is a trademarked program of Aberdeen Village’s parent company, PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica). The program offers

senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity.

“It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Stephanie Oehlert, marketing director at Aberdeen Village. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Olathe community.”

photography and various other forms, ranging from amateur to professional levels.

Follow Aberdeen Village on Facebook to view our virtual exhibit.

For more information about Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org The Art is Ageless exhibit features or contact Stephanie Oehlert at works from local artists in a variety soehlert@pmma.org or 913-599of mediums, including acrylics, oils, 6100. ◆

Devotional: The eternal hope of Easter We often think of Easter as a time of hope. Jesus is alive! Death is defeated. He is RISEN!! But how do we live a life of joy and hope when our world is turned upside down, and we’re uncertain what tomorrow will hold?

The Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

It seems the first step for finding hope this Easter season is to stop and reflect on the love that is being offered to us every second of our lives. Jesus is with us, even when our loved ones can’t be. Jesus sees and knows our struggles and fears, and He walks with us through them.

Matthew 28:6 says, “He is not here; He has risen, just as he said…”

What life-changing, miraculous words! The grave could not hold

Him. His LOVE overcame death.

He rose again, victorious! And He loves and sees you, right where you are. And He is with you.

Our Easter celebrations may look a little different this year, but take heart friends, our God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). May we continue

to look forward to celebrating Easter and our Risen Savior as we are reminded that no matter what we’ve been through in the past, what we’re facing today, or what uncertainties tomorrow may bring, Christ alone is our HOPE. He defeated death, He rose from the grave and He makes all things new.

Amen! ◆

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ABERDEEN VILLAGE A PMMA COMMUNITY

17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061-9524 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided

by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

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Visitors who meet the end-of-life exception should: • Expect to complete a questionnaire about recent travel, health status and COVID-19 risks.

The questionnaire will be signed and dated and kept on file at the community; • Have their temperature taken upon entering the community; • Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, rubbing palms together, cleaning between fingers and the backs of hands; • Utilize hand sanitization stations prior to entering and upon leaving resident rooms;

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• Limit movement within the community to your resident’s room and limit the number of surfaces touched; • Limit physical contact with the resident through social distancing – no hugging, kissing or handshaking – and remain 6 feet apart; • Report to the community any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or acute illness within 14 days after visiting the community.

Personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes gloves, masks and gowns, are available as necessary.

In the meantime, we encourage you to contact your resident family

members via telephone and email.

We have also established electronic communication options. Please contact your local Presbyterian Manor offices for information.

This situation continues to change daily, if not more frequently. The most up-to-date information about our COVID-19 response and visitation policies will be posted to our website and our Facebook page.

We greatly appreciate your support in our efforts to keep your family members/our residents and community healthy.

Sincerely, Your PMMA Team