Community Matters Aberdeen Village
September 2016
LEAP! is building a better brain In one way or another, we’ve all been impacted by the effects of Alzheimer’s, whether it be a friend, neighbor or loved one who’s had this devastating disease. But that doesn’t mean we’re completely powerless, as there are many ways one can optimize brain health.
Resident focuses on future after seeing double
Aberdeen Village residents recently discovered this as they took a LEAP! through a new Alzheimer’s prevention program beginning in August 2016.
Resident Beth Riner tries to see the good in every situation, and is known for her positive outlook and willingness to help others. What some may not know, however, is that Beth went through a difficult time when a health crisis threatened her very life. She not only lived, but thrived, and has taken full advantage of each and every day she was given thereafter. She shares her story with us:
The program originated in the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Kansas University Hospital. Dr. Jeff Burns, co-director of the center, created the program. LEAP! is an acronym for Lifestyle Enrichment for Alzheimer’s Prevention.
“When I was 44 with a severe headache, I went for my annual eye checkup. On the eye chart I saw two E’s, and said, ‘The red one is at the right, above the black one.’ The doctor halted the exam, instructing me to go home and expect a phone call from a neurologist. Once I was hospitalized, a saintly doctor took me through a battery of tests and diagnosed me with a cerebral aneurysm. (CAT scans and MRIs were not yet in use.) The severe headaches did not subside. I didn’t eat.
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A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
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“I had worked at church and in the Presbytery as a Christian educator. Visits and prayers were offered on my behalf. Marion, my husband, was given some leave from work to keep our two sons on schedule. Church members brought food to them. After three weeks, I was dismissed and will always remember the lighted Christmas tree when I was welcomed home. Marion spun a pile of carols and Chopin records while I tried to refocus my double vision with a painting above the sofa. “As strength began to return, and the eye patch was removed, I entered a hospital-sponsored
walking program, chalking 500 miles in our neighborhood and collecting rewards of T-shirts, fanny packs and a pedometer. I entered a ‘Y’ water exercise program. “In time, I resumed volunteer teaching and delivering Meals on Wheels. My husband retired, and we began to travel. I had served on a Synod committee that encouraged the startup of two Presbyterian Manors and sold early “Art is Ageless” calendars. We set our sights on Aberdeen Village. Our daily mall walks often ended with a trip to the Aberdeen Village marketing office. “When we came on board, the highlight for Marion was sitting on the balcony to observe the campus mowers. The food was tops! It was ‘Candy Land’ walking back to our
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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. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Tim Allin, executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Suzanne Willey, community relations director, swilley@pmma.org. Telephone: 913-599-6100 Fax: 913-599-3810 Address: 17500 W. 119th St., Olathe, KS 66061-9524 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
It is a 12-part series of workshops to improve senior lifestyles. It focuses on positive changes in diet, exercise, sleep, social interaction and other lifestyle changes.
Community Matters September 2016
“You should know, as I wind down this epistle, that I got with the program! I put in a mile a day in the halls or on trails and signed up for water exercise classes. Flowers and mementos appeared on shelves. I discovered more food options, eating less starch and more fish and salads. We joined the Chorale. I taught English as a second language to a staff member. “When Marion became ill, we felt supported by our community of neighbors. My present goal is listening to them now, wherever they might be in life and lifting them up with my blessing.”
Attendees learn about lifestyle changes that can boost brain health, based on the latest research. For information about the next session, contact Life Enrichment Coordinator Sandy Barnes.
Upcoming events September 10: American Stroke Foundation Stroke Walk This annual event raises awareness for stroke and rehabilitative opportunities. Aberdeen Village always makes a presence, highlighting the latest and greatest ways to recover from stroke with our Post-Acute To Home® (PATH) program. September 15: Presbyterian Board of Pensions Luncheon Aberdeen Village welcomes retired pastors
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apartment! Almost everyone had jelly beans or gum drops on the shelves outside their door, and we lived on ‘Long Haul!’
to a special luncheon, where there will be opportunity to see the community, fellowship and learn updates from the board president, Rev. Edward Thompson. September 23: Mid America Rehab Golf Tournament Aberdeen Village sponsors and participates in this great event, which will be held at Ironhorse Golf Club. Each year, golf enthusiast residents and family members participate.
Aberdeen Village artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners Three winning artists in Aberdeen Village’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2017 Art is Ageless Calendar produced by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America.
category by Joan Varner will be featured on two of the Art is Ageless greeting cards. Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 16 other PMMA communities. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar and notecards.
“Water, Water Everywhere,” a drawing by Cheryl Reynolds; “Longhorn Calf,” a painting by Dennis M. Broockerd; and “California or Bust,” a drawing by Edward W. Duman will appear in the Art is Ageless, open to people calendar when it is released this fall. age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of “A Different Time,” a drawing by Mid-America. For the competition, Carol Rondinelli; and “House in a works must have been completed in Bubble,” a winner in the Christmas the past five years.
“Water, Water Everywhere”
Above left: “House in a Bubble” Above right: “Longhorn Calf ” Far left: “A Different Time” Left: “California or Bust”
Aberdeen Village
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Intergenerational Day is a hit! Vacation Bible School kids from Village Church came out for a day of fun a few weeks ago. Left: Children and resident Esther Minter make bubbles from scratch and learn about the Monarch Butterfly Waystation from resident family member Diane Stokes. Each year, the kids and residents enjoy new experiences together.
Memory Care
We will focus on memory care and national memory screening day in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. What do you do to stay sharp? What tricks or tips do you have for remembering things? How has being in memory care helped a loved one? Because this will be our November issue, we also will be sharing stories about our many veterans. If you served in the military, we want to hear your story. If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Chrissie Ammann, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters September 2016
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