Aberdeen Heights
JUNE 2020
David Evans, life enrichment director, slides a piano down the hallway in The Glen. Evans plays classical piano and has been giving doorway performances to residents since group activities were discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aberdeen Heights’ parent company sent “Heroes Work Here” banners to all 16 PMMA communities in Kansas and Missouri to honor the hard work staff members are putting in to keep residents safe.
Musical talents on the move Staff, residents find innovative ways at Aberdeen to remain active and connected Heights
The spread of COVID-19 throughout the globe has prompted changes for people in every walk of life. Stay at home orders restrict everyday activities, and maintaining a 6-foot distance from others is now commonly exercised.
Our community has likewise been forced to deal with changes in how we interact with the outside world. Some of these have created strain and stress, yet staff and residents have worked together to develop innovative ways to have fun and stay connected to those we love. “Definitely technology has been a great benefit,” said Kristine Pancer, social services director. “We have the ability to Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, and on an average day we’re helping eight to 10 residents communicate CONNECT - continued on page 2
Here at Aberdeen Heights, we’re lucky to have two musicians in the life enrichment department. The musical interludes seem to brighten everyone’s spirits and give staff a way to use their talents to connect with our residents. Life Enrichment Director David Evans plays classical piano, so we asked our maintenance team TALENTS - continued on page 4
Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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CONNECT - continued from page 1
with family. That’s been a huge help, and it helps for them to see each other.” In addition to technology, families have been using what’s come to be known as the “window visit.” Families can approach their loved one’s window and touch their hands to the glass. Sometimes visitors and residents just appreciate looking at each other while visiting on the phone. Kristine said Aberdeen Heights is fortunate to have a courtyard that can only be accessed from within the community. This provides an outdoor space for residents to get some sunshine and fresh air. While they still have to meet the challenges of social distancing, Kristine said the courtyard has served as a place where residents can enjoy music or get a little exercise. Staff has also worked to find new ways to meet residents’ spiritual needs during this time. “Our chaplain created a volunteer list for independent living residents. They are making wellness checks on other residents,” Kristine said. “It’s sort of like a pen pal, but through the phone.” They’ve also begun a conference call Bible study that keeps residents
connected to their faith and engaged in their spiritual health and well-being.
Those feelings are valid, natural and part of the experience of being human.
Staff is also extra conscious of resident habits. They spend more one-on-one time with residents to ensure their needs are met and that they’re getting the personal interaction they need to be healthy.
“When you live in a community, you might already feel a sense of loss,” Kristine said. “This pandemic, I feel, has brought that on for some people. You’re not able to see family or do the things you used to do, like go to the doctor or have lunch with your family. It’s super important to be able to process any feelings you have — to understand and express your feelings. And to understand that this is time-limited, and it’s for their health, well-being, and safety.”
“We’ve been doing a lot of nail painting and building bouncy balls,” Kristine said. “There’s even a snack cart that makes the rounds. Some residents enjoy puzzles or coloring. Whatever it is they like to stay engaged with has been really helpful to their well-being.” Thanks to the talents of the life enrichment team, residents seldom have to wait long for a live performance inside the halls of The Glen at Aberdeen Heights. “David (Evans) plays classical piano, and Hannah (Lefort) plays guitar and sings beautifully,” Kristine said. “We’ve done hallway concerts, and the residents can listen from their doorways. One day, the weather was perfect, so they could enjoy that concert outside.” Kristine said it’s important for everyone to understand that something as overwhelming as a global pandemic can bring about some intense feelings, such as fear, or a sense of loss of identity or independence.
The staff has risen to meet residents’ needs and worked tirelessly to help them through this trying time. To recognize their effort, the executive team had T-shirts printed that say, “Never underestimate a PMMA employee who braved COVID-19” and placed a banner out front that reads “Heroes work here.” “We wanted to thank the staff for their countless hours and dedication,” Kristine said. “The pride employees have is a huge part of what we do to care for people. If there was a missing link in that chain, we couldn’t do this. Every role is important, and that was a thank you to them and a reminder that we’re doing well, and our residents are doing well. And we’re going to get through this together.” ◆
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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 | June 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) organization.
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.
Fun finds its way into Easter celebrations Easter celebrations couldn’t be hidden from the staff and residents of The Glen at Aberdeen Heights. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that required social distancing and staying at home over the Easter holiday, our community came together to share the love and hope of Easter. From crafts to drawings to jigsaw puzzles, we found new ways to celebrate. As always, Easter provided encouragement for the season of renewal that lies ahead. ◆
Betty Schmitt
Audrey Schreiner
Dot Ebeling and Bob Sextro
Joyce Duke Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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TALENTS - continued from page 1
to put sliders under one of our instruments. David has been sliding it all over the skilled nursing area and playing for residents in their doorways. Activity Aide Hannah Lefort also plays guitar and sings. She’s been holding one-on-one music breaks with the residents as well. The life enrichment team has been working hard to keep residents engaged since visitors are not allowed on campus. Team members and residents may be found working on jigsaw puzzles and craft projects and enjoying doorway activities. ◆
Safe and engaging activities Top: Nicole Lawson, activity aide, works on a jigsaw puzzle with Barbara Jordan outside Barbara’s room. Middle: Betty Schmitt works on a craft project in the activity room. Bottom: Hannah Lefort, activity aide, works on a craft project with Tony Daus. Hannah also plays guitar and has been performing for residents.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2020
Source: Pinnacle Quality Insight (12 month ave. Mar. 2019 - Feb. 2020)
5 4
4.60
4.77
4.77
4.73
Activities
Dignity & Respect
Safety & Security
Recommend to Others
3 2 1
INDEPENDENT LIVING
ASSISTED LIVING
HEALTH CARE
ASSISTED LIVING
Satisfaction surveys by Pinnacle Quality Insight As part of Aberdeen Heights’ ongoing customer service initiative, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. Here’s just a sampling of what some Aberdeen Heights residents shared: “I appreciate the friendliness. I love the location. I would tell [my friends] that I recommend it whole heartedly.”
“I give them an A+ on everything from housekeeping to food. It was the best thing we did after selling our home. I would recommend it to anyone in our age bracket.”
and treating residents with dignity and respect. Residents and families also reported a high willingness to recommend the community to others.
The graphic above highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between March 2019 and February 2020, Aberdeen Heights residents and their families gave the community high scores in safety and security, activities
We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. ◆
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 are posted to your community website, AberdeenSeniorLiving.com/covid-19. Get the latest information about visitation and restrictions on deliveries and learn more about PMMA’s infection control efforts to contain COVID-19 across the PMMA system. ◆
Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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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.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2020