Aberdeen Village
AUGUST 2020
Change in plans leads to rewarding career in nursing When Rabia Kitunzi first came to the United States from her home country of Uganda, building a career in nursing wasn’t part of the plan. “I initially came to the United States to pursue a degree in pharmacy but steered into nursing mainly because I wanted to save my mum money, and it did not hurt that I would gain financial independence in a shorter period,” Rabia said. “And I must say 10 years in, I have no regrets. I have also grown to love what I do.”
Rabia Kitunzi
In her work at Aberdeen Village since 2014, Rabia has come to value and appreciate the community approach. “I think more than anything, the sense of community displayed by the staff at Aberdeen makes it a good place to work,” Rabia said. “I have worked in a few other facilities, and by far the staffing ratios at Aberdeen are the best.” In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in a year set aside to celebrate the profession of nursing, Rabia said it’s a good opportunity to highlight the dedication of nurses throughout the world. “This year has been a trying time globally for the health care field with the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care systems all across the board have been overwhelmed with the aftermath of the virus,” Rabia said. “2020 also happens to be the Year of the Nurse. It is important to acknowledge nurses who are on the frontlines of administering care and treatment while also taking the time to support their mental health.” Nursing is a unique profession, one that requires compassion and drive, even in the most difficult of circumstances. The passion that drives people to enter nursing also helps drive better patient care and allows NURSING - continued on page 6
Aberdeen Village earns zero-deficiency rating for focused infection control survey Aberdeen Village earned a zerodeficiency survey for a focused infection control survey conducted on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in June. Senior living communities are surveyed annually by their licensing agency for compliance with regulations established by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and CMS. These regulations are designed to ensure a standard of care is met. By meeting this RATING - continued on page 5
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Fatherhood celebration, portraits to share To honor our fathers in assisted living, we took portraits of each of them to share with their families. What a handsome group of dads we have! Father’s Day Throughout your life he’s there for you in countless little ways, To hold your hand and cheer you on, to share his love and faith. He’s family, friend, and confidante, all rolled into one. Protector and provider, a shoulder to lean on. He fills your heart with laughter, he’s there to see you through, He loves you just the way you are, no matter what you do.
choose him as your friend.
He is a special gift from God, his love it knows no end,
The world is such a better place and happier by far,
Even if he weren’t your dad ... you’d
When you have a special dad to
love with all of your heart. — Tammy Fox ◆
COVID-19 updates continue
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families is posted to your community website, AberdeenVillage.com/covid-19. In this issue of Community Matters, you’ll find an explanation of the phases of reopening and a flow chart showing all the entities contributing to our reopening plans. ◆
Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
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 | August 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) organization.
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.
A few of our favorite summer picnic recipes Summer is filled with the bounty of amazing flavors! It’s a great time to turn the harvest from the garden into tasty new dishes that excite your senses. Plus, it’s fun to try new recipes and new twists on traditional summer dishes. Below are some of our favorite summertime recipes that are certain to tickle your taste buds.
CHILE-LIME CORN WHEELS This recipe combines summer garden favorites to create a flavorful dish that is both filling and refreshing, while providing enough heat to spice up your day. 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 6 cloves garlic, sliced 1 pinch crushed dried red chile peppers 2 teaspoons lime zest, plus lime wedges for serving Kosher salt
3. Serve corn drizzled with garlic oil and alongside lime wedges.
For the crust:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups flour 1/4 teaspoon salt For the filling: 1 cup fresh lemon juice
NO-BAKE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
2-3 teaspoons lemon zest
It doesn’t get any easier than this version of a wonderful summer dessert. Use clear plastic cups so you can see the pretty layers. When picking berries, look for bright colors, natural shine, and freshlooking green caps. 1 cup Cool Whip or sweetened whipped cream
3/4 cup chopped strawberries 1 1/4 cups sugar 4 large eggs 1/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt Powdered sugar
4 cups sliced strawberries 1 tablespoon sugar 8 small prepared shortcakes or sponge cakes Combine the berries and 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium bowl; cover and chill. When ready to serve, layer each cake with berries and the whipped topping or whipped cream.
4 ears sweet corn 1. Heat oil, garlic, and crushed chili peppers in a small saucepan over medium heat until garlic is just beginning to turn golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime zest. Season with salt.
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE BARS
2. Cook corn in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, 5 to 8 minutes; drain. Slice into 1 1/2 inch discs.
Who doesn’t love deliciously tart lemon bars on a summer day? Here’s a colorful variation of a fun summer dessert.
Preheat the oven to 350. Line a 9” x 13” pan with foil or parchment and spray with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the flour and salt and mix until a crumbly dough forms. Pat the mixture into the prepared pan, spreading in an even layer. Bake 15 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges. While the crust is baking, in a blender or food processor, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, strawberries, and sugar, and blend until smooth. Add the eggs and blend until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder and salt, and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture onto the hot crust and return to the oven. Bake 22-25 minutes, or until the top looks dry and is just slightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely, then sprinkle with powdered sugar. ◆
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Advice for surviving tough times, from people who know Ed Duman
Mary Wilmoth
Stop watching TV. Learn something new. Bake a loaf of bread or cookies and share them with a friend. Try to help your neighbor.
“I can do everything through Christ who give me strength” (Philippians 4:13). This verse has meant a lot to me during many situations in my life. He has never failed me yet.
Keep a positive attitude. Go for a walk, listen to the birds and watch for the ducks on the pond.
Vivian Bonham
Look for butterflies at the butterfly garden.
These neighbors are and have been friendly. The staff here is always friendly and helpful.
Use the bench and listen to the fountain spray on the water.
Margaret Bowerman
Just enjoy the day that the Lord has made. Ginny Graham Have a few things to do: 1. Reading. I always have a good book handy. 2. The puzzle right outside my door. Two of us work on this. 3. Four of us (all neighbors) play a game called Password. We stay apart correctly. We play this late afternoon or early evening.
My husband was a student at K-State on the GI Bill. Every semester break, the check was late. We had no money and little food on hand. My Jack decided to go fishing for our supper. He came home with no fish, but a bucket of wild gooseberries. I found sugar, flour and Crisco in my kitchen, so I made a pie for our supper. Pretty tasty! When times are tough, make a pie!
Telling old stories is an enriching gift Diverting us from the corona virus rift.
How many kids were there in all? Could you join a group to joke and sing?
Keep your eyes on God! “Look for the rainbow behind your cloud.”
Or read a book about anything.
Sandra Wohlford
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‘Gifts & Challenges’
Was your school large or very small?
Oleta Garvic
Advice: Do what is advised and help my neighbors.
My advice is in the form of a poem, which she wrote on June 29, 2020:
Long before you were husband or wife.
5. I love the different things Aberdeen does, too: bingo, movies and others. Thank you!
Duane White
Esther Minter
Write some story of your growingup life
4. Have a Sudoku book to work on. Fun!
Lots of prayers. A positive attitude is essential. Getting and giving encouragement to my Aberdeen family.
Disney+ channel in July. Perhaps it would be possible to play some kind of game or trivia in the dining room in small groups.
Aileen Moise Reading, craft projects such as decorating face masks or making jewelry, Marshall’s store has many ideas. Theater performances are being shown online and on cable. Hamilton was shown on the
COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2020
What could you do with your hands and some wood? Bet you’d try carving it if you could. Have some fabric? Well, what do you know ADVICE - continued on page 5
ADVICE - continued from page 4
Sew some masks and you are ready to go.
Kay Ketcham Drink more wine! Mary Lou Niebling
Your families will be pleased learning your past.
Cease complaining. Help others.
Keep busy, dear friend, and have a blast!
1. Stay busy
Carl Erwin Sometimes when we feel low and depressed, memories revive us, and once again, we have hope for the future. We see where we have come from and where we are today. We can count our blessings and remember those who have been a blessing to us. Most of the time, it is good to remember the good times, but maybe the bad times too, as they taught us lessons. One person declared when I have a tough time, I declare that it came to pass, not to stay. The pendulum swings one way then another way. Worrying about tomorrow will rob you of the joy of today, and we live one day at a time.
Ed Reynolds 2. Keep regular hours 3. Do something useful every day
Ed Reynolds
4. Get plenty of exercise
with our favorite blankets for a nap.” Also, put on your mask!
Joan Goss Keep your mind busy with reading, puzzles, instructional TV and handwork. Learn a new hobby. Journal or write fiction, mysteries, jokes, a bucket list. Paint by number or draw with colored pencils. Beth Riner Tim Allin recommended a half hour nap, and this works for me! I wanted to share this article. Robert Fulghum wrote, “Think of what a better world it would be if we all—the whole world—had cookies and milk about 3 o’clock every afternoon and then lay down
threat of disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). standard, senior living communities All nursing homes will receive a are able to renew their licenses and focused infection control survey by continue to provide care. July 31, 2020. RATING - continued from page 1
Zero deficiencies means Aberdeen Village met all the standards for infection control in the community’s health care neighborhoods. CMS announced in March that priority would be given to focused infection control surveys and annual surveys would be delayed in an effort to ensure nursing homes were prepared to respond to the
The focused infection control surveys hone in on a nursing community’s adherence to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and CMS guidance for infection control practices to prevent disease. Communities are assessed on staff and resident education on hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette, cleaning, screening of employees and residents, effective
Jan Kelly I pray the holy rosary every day and observe the daily mass on channel 291. It is very uplifting! Audrey & Bernie Bancroft We like to listen to Christian music, both traditional, contemporary and Elvis gospel! Our favorite CD right now is “Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1” by Andrew Peterson. We listen to it on Amazon Music, AKA “Alexa.” Christian music gives joy to the heart, energy to the step and reminds us that the best is yet to come. ◆
transmission-based precautions, proper use/discarding of personal protective equipment, and signage at entrances and resident rooms. It also examines policies and emergency preparedness related to a pandemic or outbreak. “Every day I see our employees go above and beyond in the care they provide,” said Tim Allin, executive director. “These survey results are tangible proof of our employees’ commitment to providing quality senior care and services based on Christian values.” ◆
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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.
NURSING - continued from page 1
individuals to specialize in different fields and increase their ability to learn new skills and practices. In her work as a nurse in the PATH neighborhood, Rabia helps residents make the transition from the hospital to the rehabilitation services at Aberdeen Village, and eventually back into their own homes. “There are a lot of moving parts when working with the skilled residents, and communication is key in making sure our residents are taken care of and their needs met,” Rabia said. “The staff on PATH work in conjunction with the therapy team on a daily basis, communicating resident changes and anything else that may make therapy sessions productive.”
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Rabia said it’s also important to acknowledge the changes in the nursing field over the years. Once nurses focused almost exclusively on physical health and tending to a patient’s immediate needs. Today’s nurses accept a myriad of responsibilities. “The role of nurses in resident health care and in caregiving is broad and has evolved over time,” she said. “In addition to managing the physical needs, treating health conditions and ensuring safety of the residents, nurses/caregivers very many times are also the emotional support system for our residents.” For anyone considering entering the field, Rabia suggests considering launching a career with PMMA and Aberdeen Village. “For nurses starting out in the
COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2020
health care field, Aberdeen is a good starting place,” Rabie said. “The close-knit community, coupled with good staffing ratios and an A+ team of nurses, CNAs and other department staff, make learning on the job less stressful and more productive.” When Rabia’s not caring for residents at Aberdeen Village, she’s spending most of her time being a mother. That means she’s had to adjust some of her “adrenaline rush hobbies” to something more family friendly—like biking, soccer, and “whatever my kiddo wants to do.” ◆