Aberdeen Heights
APRIL 2020
Safety update Presbyterian Manor Families of Residents, and Visitors,
A budding love for painting Love was in the air as budding artists at Aberdeen Heights joined together for a beginner’s painting class. Activity Aide Joan Antang said she loves to paint at home, so she visited with David Evans, director of life enrichment for The Glen about hosting a class. “I told him that I wasn’t a professional, but that I’d be happy to do a class,” Joan said. “He made it happen.” Using acrylic paint on canvas, Joan led her students in painting a Valentine’s Day-themed tree. Instead of leaves, the trees boasted red and white hearts. Joan encouraged her students to use the trunk as a place to paint their initials—along with those of their special someone. “The residents really enjoyed it,” Joan said. “Some of them said they had never painted before, but that it was nice to do the class.” After the class, residents took their one-of-a-kind 8-inch by 10-inch paintings home. “The residents really enjoyed it,” Joan said. “We had a great time.” PAINTING - continued on page 2
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. COVID-19 - continued on page 6
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Aberdeen Heights’ Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception to feature local senior artists Aberdeen Height’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.
To submit artwork by the April 20 deadline, artists may contact Susan Press at spress@pmma.org to make arrangements, as visitors currently are restricted by COVID-19 precautions. At this time, we plan to offer the Art is Ageless exhibit virtually on our Aberdeen Heights Facebook page and announce our winners during a live Facebook event. Watch our Facebook page for updates. Art is Ageless is a trademarked program of PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America). 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 Christie Wolff, senior marketing director at Aberdeen Heights. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire community.” The first Art is Ageless calendar was published in 1981, featuring art from Presbyterian Manor community residents. Since then, the program has expanded to include a juried art competition open to all seniors age 65 and older. Art is Ageless features works from local artists in a variety of mediums, including acrylics, oils,
photography and various other forms, ranging from amateur to professional levels. Winning pieces at the community level move on to masterpiece level judging to determine which pieces are featured in the annual calendar and note cards. For more information about Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org. Or, for Aberdeen Heights, contact Susan Press at spress@pmma.org. For The Glen, email David Evans at devans@pmma.org. Both Susan and David may be reached at 314-909-6000. ◆
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ABERDEEN HEIGHTS A PMMA COMMUNITY
314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2020
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: llandy@PMMA.org Rick Cumberland, executive director Lily Landy, health care administrator David Evans, life enrichment director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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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Tillman students join in Valentine’s Day fun Students from Tillman Elementary School teamed up with Aberdeen Heights residents to create special Valentine’s projects. Nearly 20 students helped residents fold wire hangers into heart shapes. Then they worked together to attach red and white fabric around the hangers to make a personalized gift for Valentine’s Day. The project generated a lot of smiles and laughter—and helped build connections between area students
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and the residents of Aberdeen Heights. Teacher Elizabeth Stickley said the students are part of the “Kids Who Care” service-learning club at Tillman Elementary. In addition to visiting Aberdeen Heights, the students take an active role in serving their community through organizations such as the St. Louis Area Food Bank, Duo Dogs and Tiny Super Heroes. “Kids and families love going to
Aberdeen Heights every year and are surprised by how much joy they have by interacting with seniors in the community,” Elizabeth said. “The residents were delighted by the kids and enjoyed having an activity where they each could participate and enjoy conversation while they worked on the Valentine craft. The residents were excited to display the heart-shaped wreath on their door.” The fun day of crafts was held from 4 to 5 p.m. Feb. 6. ◆
Love wasn’t hidden during masked ball event Aberdeen Heights residents and staff had a “ball” on Valentine’s Day. Together, residents and staff created some 50 masks for a Valentine’s Day Masked Ball. Paint, markers, sequins, rhinestones, glitter and stickers came together to build the face coverings. Aside from an afternoon of fun, the event provided an opportunity to get wildly creative. Local entertainer Lamar Pilsing, of Lamar Standard Time, even came by to join in the fun. He sang classic love songs, danced with the residents, and passed out flowers along the way.
“It was my honor to be there on that special day,” Lamar said. “I sing a combination of the standards, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and 50s music. They all seem to remember those songs. And they love the words and love to sing with me.”
Throughout the party, Lamar would invite a resident to do a little “chair dancing.” “I take their hand and move it back and forth,” he explained. “Sometimes I spin around and say ‘Oh, you really have some really good dance moves.”
Along the way, he’d hand out flowers, as a token of appreciation for the residents who joined in the fun.
“I’ll do anything to bring a smile to their faces,” Lamar said. “I enjoy being able to make them feel important — because they are important. They have so much to offer. I’ve had conversations with them after a dance, and they share memories of serving their country, or stories about their family. It makes it very rewarding.” The party was topped off with Valentine’s gifts from the students of Robinson Elementary School. ◆
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ABERDEEN HEIGHTS A PMMA COMMUNITY
505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122 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.
COVID-19 - continued from page 1
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