Aberdeen Heights
OCTOBER 2019
Aberdeen Heights receives 2019 Customer Experience Award from Pinnacle Quality Insight
Residents, from left, Marian Thomas, Marjorie Weisenfels, Nelda Richardson, Jean Gibbons and Betty Corey participate in Chimes with Troy.
Music program returns to Aberdeen Heights An old favorite with staff and residents, Chimes with Troy is back! After a break, the chime choir has been revived. Troy Jones, Aberdeen Heights music therapist, is holding sessions for memory care and skilled nursing residents twice a month.
Aberdeen Heights, a PMMA senior living community in Kirkwood, Mo., is proud to announce that they are the recipient of Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2019 Customer Experience Award™. The Customer Experience Award is given to senior living communities that score in the top 15-percent of the nation in resident satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight for 12 consecutive months. Aberdeen Heights received the award for assisted living and skilled nursing. AWARD - continued on page 2
Residents and staff gather on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 10:30 a.m. for a “Ring Along, Sing Along,” where participants play chimes and sing songs. Besides being a lot of fun, Troy said creating music helps boost memory recall and provides sensory stimulation. Chimes with Troy is also a great social activity and diversion from everyday life stressors. CHIMES - continued on page 2
Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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AWARD - continued from page 1
Over the course of 2018, a sampling of Aberdeen Heights’ residents and their families participated in monthly telephone interviews that include open-ended questions, as well the opportunity to rate Aberdeen Heights in specific categories.
Music therapist, Troy Jones, leads residents in a chimes group. CHIMES - continued from page 1
A graduate of Marysville University with 25 years of experience in music therapy, Troy said he’s happy to be providing the activity once again. “It’s so special to be able to bring music to people who aren’t able to go out and get music for themselves,” Troy said. It’s wonderful to watch participants come to life while singing and playing an instrument, he said. Caregivers remark on the difference they see in residents. “People are just amazed to see the reaction that’s happening from the participants,” Troy said. “When
I’m there I see people smiling and interacting and having a good time. It brings me joy just to see other people enjoying themselves.” The chime choir is currently working on developing a Christmas program that will be performed for other residents, staff, friends and family members. Troy said everyone is welcome to participate in the revived activity. “Other people could join,” he said. “Family members or caregivers could join. They are welcome. The more the merrier. We can take up to 30 participants in a session.” ◆
“The Customer Experience Award affirms our staff ’s dedication to our mission – to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Rick Cumberland, executive director. “This award reflects our residents’ satisfaction with our efforts to live out our mission.” Aberdeen Heights scored in the top 15 percent in personal care and response to problems on assisted living surveys, and skilled nursing residents gave the community high marks in dining service. Through Pinnacle Quality Insight’s monthly phone surveys, Aberdeen Heights has gathered real-time survey results to gain a better understanding of the residents’ needs and make improvements when necessary, continuing an 8-year emphasis on ensuring the individual needs of every resident are met. ◆
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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 | October 2019
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
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Local singer-songwriter brings house down during birthday celebration Joe Stickley, a popular local singersongwriter and math instructor, got hands clapping, toes tapping and people singing as he performed beloved American standards and a few originals during the July birthday celebration at Aberdeen Heights. Joe, recognized as one of the best songwriters in the area, brought along his wife, Elizabeth, and two daughters, Vivian, 7, and Juliet, 8, to entertain guests at the monthly celebration. It was his first time performing at Aberdeen, but he and his family had so much fun, they’re already planning repeat performances. “The residents got a big kick out of me,” he said, “more of a kick out of the girls.” Joe strummed the guitar while his daughters played the harmonica and sang along with him. In addition to singing “Happy Birthday,” the group played songs they knew residents would enjoy, such as “Old Susanna” and “This Land is Your Land.” “It was great because several of the residents knew the songs and started singing and clapping along,” he said. “I literally could just drop out and let the residents sing those songs. It was pure joy.”
Joe Stickley and his daughters performing at the July birthday celebration.
Joe performs on Sundays at McGurk’s Irish Pub. For his day job, he teaches math at Crossroads College Preparatory School. He plans to start performing regularly at Aberdeen Heights — and, of course, bring his girls. “It’s just kinda good for everyone,” he said. ◆
Fay Prince at the birthday party.
Hazel Noyes enjoying the birthday party.
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 Chri stian values.
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Betty Schmidt, an Aberdeen Heights resident, poses with some of her artwork. Betty is a very talented artist with a special gift for color and design. She works on some kind of creative project every day, from birdhouses to hot pads, velvet art and more. â—†
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2019