Aberdeen Village
FEBRUARY 2020
Aberdeen Village Art is Ageless® call for entries underway Heather Benney, director of nursing
‘Year of the nurse’ recognizes wealth of compassion, skill nurses bring to health care
The World Health Organization designated 2020 as “the year of the nurse.” This observation coincides with the 200th birth anniversary of revolutionary nurse Florence Nightingale, whose leadership forever elevated the nursing profession. Throughout the year, PMMA communities will shine a spotlight on nurses as part of this global recognition. You can share your nurse story by sending an email to 2020YearoftheNurse@ pmma.org.
While the nurses at Aberdeen Village don’t possess Florence Nightingale’s notoriety, they are no less critical to the well-being and care of our residents. Heather Benney, director of nursing at Aberdeen Village, said that nurses are the “heartbeat of our team.” “They interact with our residents and our residents’ families on a daily basis,” she said. “Our nurses not only provide physical bedside care, but they are there for the residents and their families emotionally.” The 45 licensed practical nurses and registered nurses who make up the nursing team at Aberdeen Village serve as primary caregivers, friends, and family members to our residents. Each day, the staff performs physical assessments, administers medications, dresses wounds and provides a variety of other treatments—all while demonstrating high NURSE - continued on page 3
Aberdeen Village has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held March 27 – April 30, 2020. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 40th anniversary Art is Ageless calendar in 2021. Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2015). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Aberdeen Village by March 20. The Art is Ageless® program encourages Aberdeen Village residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions AIA - continued on page 6
Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
1
To do: See your doctor when you’re healthy By Tara Haelle for Next Avenue
No one wants to opt into extra time at the doctor. But staying up-to-date on recommended screenings and tests is shown to keep more people healthy and independent. And this kind of care (called preventive care) is covered by nearly all insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Yet a majority of Americans over 50 are not up-to-date with preventive health recommendations. Preventive health is about stopping conditions from developing in the first place or finding them early enough to treat before they become life-threatening. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “low-income and ethnic and racial minorities, as well as people who live in rural or remote areas, are less likely to receive these services than the overall population.” Uncertainty over what insurance will cover is among the top reasons people haven’t received vaccines or health screenings — along with a lack of understanding of which services are recommended for one’s age group and physicians failing to recommend them, according to AARP. Given all this, coordination and
education around preventive health was identified in a 2018 report prepared by the Trust for America’s Health as one of the primary ways public health in the U.S. can better serve its older population— and become “age friendly.”
Where to start for preventive care With more than 100 medical organizations issuing their own recommendations—potentially with their own conflicts of interest—preventive care can appear burdensome and confusing. That’s where the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) comes in. The Task Force, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a group of volunteer primary care physicians who have undergone a rigorous ethical review for conflicts of interest and who review the evidence to make preventive care recommendations. The Task Force posts all its
recommendations on its website for all ages, but below are the ones older adults need to know about. Some recommendations are only for people in the general population with certain risk factors or conditions; others apply to everyone in a certain age group. Colorectal cancer, blood pressure and cholesterol The only cancer screening recommended for everyone of a certain age is colorectal cancer screening for those aged 50 to 75. There are several types of screening options with different frequency of screenings. “Almost every organization would say the test you should get is the test that’s right for you,” says Dr. Otis Brawley, professor at John CARE - continued on page 3
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
2
COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 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: sroark@PMMA.org Tim Allin, executive director Sean Roark, director of sales and marketing
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
NURSE - continued from page 1
levels of knowledge, skill and compassion. “In general, I feel individuals who have a compassionate heart and are caring strive to become nurses,” Heather said. “Nurses strive to help others feel better during their darkest times, and individuals who go into the nursing field get great pride from helping others not only feel better, but get better when the opportunity presents.” That level of compassion positions nurses to serve as the eyes and ears for doctors and to be the “heart and soul of health care,” according to Heather. Nurses have the opportunity to really learn about their patients. They are more apt to notice subtle changes in behavior
and health, which helps doctors provide better care. Recognizing the importance of nursing is a way to acknowledge the irreplaceable role nurses play in patient and resident care. “Many people believe nurses administer medications and complete charting, but their role is so much more advanced,” Heather said. “Recognizing nurses for the valuable role they play in the everyday life and well-being of residents, as well as the overall important role they play in the health care arena may help attract others to our profession, so there will be enough nurses to provide care.” Heather, who has been an RN since 2005, has deployed her skillset in
a number of ways. She’s worked in operating rooms, served as director of nursing for a children’s psychiatric program, and worked as director of nursing for another long-term care community before joining Aberdeen Village four years ago. She has served as director of nursing since 2016. “Aberdeen Village hands down has some of the most compassionate nurses I have worked with, and I’ve worked in hospitals, other longterm care homes and psychiatric care communities,” Heather said. “Aberdeen Village nurses take their nursing practice beyond looking at a person, and the nurses can be seen caring for the residents as though they are their own family. This level of care and compassion is amazing to see.” ◆
CARE - continued from page 2
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and former medical director of the American Cancer Society. The evidence is solid that annual stool blood testing saves lives, he says, but some people aren’t comfortable handling stools. Meanwhile, others may want to avoid a colonoscopy unless it’s recommended after another test, or they might want to opt for a virtual colonoscopy.
We respect the privacy of residents and ask that you respect their privacy, too. Posting this?
Check the background. If your photograph, video or Snap includes residents who are not a relative, don’t post it to social media.
The task force also recommends annual screening for high blood pressure in all adults and highcholesterol screening in everyone aged 40 to 75. People with at least one cardiovascular risk factor and an increased risk for heart disease should consider medications known as statins, the task force recommends. ◆ Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
3
Angel Appeal raises more than $15,000 for Good Sam The Aberdeen Village Angel Appeal event featured a screening of the timeless Christmas classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” with an introduction by Kansas City Star film critic Robert Butler. Attendees enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies and a raffle. The Dec. 7 event was part of an annual effort to raise money for our
4
Good Samaritan program, which helps residents who have outlived their financial resources. Those who attended the event had a wonderful time and enjoyed the chance to learn who won some great prizes. For every donation to the Angel Appeal, we hung a bell bearing the giver’s name (or the name of
COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2020
someone they listed to honor) on our Angel Tree. To date, we’ve raised more than $15,000. Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed to this important program. To learn more about the events and activities available at Aberdeen Village, contact Sean Roark at 913599-6100. ◆
Health is a matter of heart: Use this info today to ensure a healthy tomorrow February is Heart Health Month, which makes it a good time to think about how to have a happy, healthy heart all year long.
For some insight on maintaining heart health, we talked to Trisha Bahr, director of rehab services for Aegis Therapies. Q: Why is heart health important? Our heart is the most vital organ in our body, and living a heart-healthy life is vital to achieving a long and healthy lifestyle. Q: What are some of the best ways to keep your heart healthy? 1. Eat healthfully. 2. Stay active. 3. Maintain a healthy weight. 4. Avoid smoking. 5. Alcohol in moderation 6. Keep cholesterol in the normal range. 7. Manage stress. Q: What if I’ve not been in good health, had an injury or otherwise lost the ability to be active? How can I restore my heart health? Regardless of your physical abilities, it is important to watch what you eat. Avoid foods that are high in fat and salt. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water.
If you are unable to participate in exercise programs on land, including walking or stationary bike riding, try aquatic exercises or swimming. Any activity for 30 minutes a day is better than nothing at all.
Try these delicious and heart-healthy recipes for Heart Health Month
Q: What cautionary measures should I take before beginning any type of physical activity? You should never start a new exercise program without first consulting your physician. If you are unsure of where to start, seek advice from another professional like a physical therapist or trainer.
February is heart health month, so we’re sharing two heart-healthy recipes from our wonderful Aberdeen Village dining team. Teriyaki Salmon 1/3 cup sesame oil 1/8 cup lemon juice
Q: What resources does Aegis Therapies offer at Aberdeen Village?
2/3 cup soy sauce
Aegis Therapies provides physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to all residents who live at Aberdeen Village. We have six full-time therapists at Aberdeen Village. We provide the instructor for the aquatics exercise classes on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings as well. If you are ever unsure if you would benefit from therapy, please give us a call. We could set up a time for a free screening to determine the best plan of action for your needs. ◆
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/3 cup brown sugar, or more to taste 1 teaspoon ground mustard 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon fresh garlic 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets Directions: 1. Mix sesame oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame seeds, ground mustard, ginger and garlic powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Set aside 1/2 cup of marinade for basting. 2. Pour remaining marinade into a resealable plastic RECIPES - continued on page 6
Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
5
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.
RECIPES - continued from page 5
bag and place salmon into the marinade. Squeeze air out of the bag, seal, and marinate the salmon steaks for at least 1 hour (2 hours for better flavor). Drain and discard used marinade. Set oven rack about 4 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven’s broiler. AIA - continued from page 1
throughout the year. Aberdeen Village is a PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America) community.
6
Place salmon on a broiler pan and broil for 5 minutes.
1/4 cup bleu cheese crumbles
Spinach salad
Directions:
8 ounces fresh spinach 1/4 cup golden raisins 1/4 cup toasted almonds 1 cup sliced strawberries 1 cup diced gala apples
Local competition winners will join winners from 15 other PMMA communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information can be picked up at Aberdeen Village,
COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2020
1/4 cup raspberry vinaigrette 1. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, apples, raisins, almonds, blue cheese and dressing. Fold in the strawberries just before serving. 2. Serve in a chilled bowl with a green leaf garnish. ◆ 17500 West 119th Street, Olathe, or by contacting Sean Roark at 913599-6100 or sroark@pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online. ◆