Aberdeen Heights Community Matters - February 2015

Community Matters Aberdeen Heights

February August 2015 2014

Aberdeen Heights honored for achievements Aberdeen Heights received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica for reaching goals in fiscal year 2014, July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014.

The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 18 locations to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards.

To receive an emerald, a campus has to meet its goals in all 11 areas.

Certificates of recognition were given out to campuses that reached their goals in one or more category.

Aberdeen Heights was recognized for achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and meeting occupancy goals.

“This recognition is a visible sign of Aberdeen Heights’ commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided

by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer.

Barb enjoys a scenic view from her trip to Laos, Burma and Cambodia.

Barb Cook

Reflections from a world traveler On Feb. 19, the Chinese will celebrate their New Year with familycentered rituals and festive, colorful displays. While many of us appreciate these cultural delights from afar, our very own Barb Cook was never content to experience the mysteries and delights of other countries merely through books or movies. She has to see and experience it for herself.

Not only has Barb been to China twice, she’s visited remote locations where tourists are rare.

“I first visited China in the mid-1980s. It was just opened to western travelers, and I wanted to see it before it was developed for tourism. I went back in 2013 because this was a totally different part of China,” said Barb. “As most tourists only visit the western part of China with Beijing, Shanghai, Xian,Yangtze River area, etc., I wanted to see the eastern part in the Himalayan area. I had been to Tibet but the culture there is very different from the Chinese. Also, after this visit to the Yunnan Province, I went to Mongolia.”

Not only has Barb been to the Far East twice, she’s been 70 countries and has visited all seven continents. She’s quick to clarify that to her, visiting an airport does not count as having actually visited the country.

HONOR, continued on page 3 BRAIN, continued on page 4

A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America

TRAVEL, continued on page 2

Meetings update residents about campus details Town hall meeting with managers: Department heads and the executive director give an update and residents are encouraged to ask questions. The next meeting is Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.

Housekeeping and maintenance: These departments have a quarterly meeting with residents. Call Director of Housekeeping and Maintenance Joe Wingbermuehle at 314-909-6080 for more information.

Breakfast with the business office: Office Manager Kathleen Braun holds a quarterly meeting. Call her at 314-909-6069 for more information.

Fitness in focus for February The Physical Wellness Committee is pleased to announce inaugural Heart Healthy Week activities at Aberdeen Heights the last week of February to promote exercise and physical fitness. February is American Heart Month, so it’s the perfect time to focus on our heart health.

“Our goal is to get residents who are not physically active to participate in an exercise or activity. Or, if you’re already doing something, to do more,” said Joan Mell, fitness committee chair.

“We will have a kick-off promotion on Monday morning, Feb. 23, and a wind-up session on Saturday, Feb. 28,” Joan said. “One of the activities will be to sign up for the Senior Fitness Test.”

An array of fun programs are scheduled, including games, sports, water events, speakers and movies. More information is coming soon.

We hope to see you there!

TRAVEL, continued from page 1

So what inspired Barb’s desire to travel?

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. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org.

Alan Fletcher, interim executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Vicky Weibel, resident lifestyle coordinator, at vweibel@pmma.org.

2

“My mother and grandmother traveled as young women and then after the children were raised and the men retired, both took off. Various world locations have always been part of our dinner conversation. My aunt and uncle also traveled a great deal. The world was such a wide, diverse place. I was an elementary teacher in a suburban district for over 30 years, and when I could, I would include pictures from their travels in my teaching — until I could use my Barb enjoyed the sights and sounds of China so own,” Barb said. much, she went back a second time.

Telephone: 314-909-6000 Address: 575 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122

Barb continues to share her travel adventures with others, especially her friends and neighbors at Aberdeen Heights.

Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

“I like giving programs because I think people are really interested in the world but many don’t have the desire to travel. So this way they can be ‘armchair’ travelers. At Aberdeen Heights, many people have traveled a great deal. For some it will be a new experience. For others, it will be a trip down memory lane if they have already seen it,” said Barb.

Community Matters February 2015

Valentine’s Day holds special meaning for Kaelbles For most couples, Valentine’s Day means heartfelt sentiments scribbled inside a greeting card, some chocolate-covered treats inside a foil box or maybe an arrangement of red and pink flowers in a vase. But for Martha and Emmett Kaelble, it holds far more meaning.

“We met at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. Martha was a sophomore, and I was a senior. I

saw her at a vesper program at the university’s Methodist Church. I walked her back to her dorms, and the rest is history,” Emmett said.

“On our first date, we went bowling together, and Martha beat me! She was taking bowling in gym class.”

While Martha may have had many strikes on the lanes, she didn’t strike out in love. The couple’s back-andforth banter, quick wit and shared sense of humor is symbolic of their long relationship, one sealed with a special Valentine’s Day memory.

“We started dating around Christmastime, and at Valentine’s Day, there was a pinning ceremony.

It’s where the fellas from a fraternity give their pin to a sorority member they’re dating. Sort of like ‘engaged to be engaged,’” said Emmett. “It was an exciting time.”

From left, PMMA CEO Bruce Shogren, Aberdeen Heights Associate Executive Director Marty Schenk and PMMA COO Doug Yoder.

HONOR, continued from page 1

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica is celebrating 65 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri.

For more information about Aberdeen Heights, contact Marketing Director Kathleen Wayman at 314-909-6000 or kwayman@pmma.org.

Martha and Emmett married in 1965 and spent two years in Urbana, Ill., while Emmett finished a graduate degree in chemistry. They later moved to the St. Louis area, where they had three children and a foster daughter from Vietnam. They now also have 11 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and one on the way.

When asked what the secret to their long, happy marriage is, they said for them it is church involvement.

“We’ve both been very active in our church,” said Martha, adding they participate in a care-giving ministry and volunteer at Aberdeen Heights in the memory care area.

Martha and Emmett have preserved special memories on campus since the opening. “We like to take lots of pictures around here, and we now present a yearly report on the

Above: Martha and Emmett Kaelble.

Left: The necklace Emmet gave Martha.

activities and growth we’ve had,” Emmett said. “We have new people move in, and it’s neat to show them the changes during the seasons, everything from the flower gardens to people’s decorations on their doors.”

The couple work together to create a detailed PowerPoint presentation, along with a well-rehearsed script, that they present at the beginning of the year.

“We enjoy doing it,” Martha said.

“We just hope all the technical equipment will work!”

One thing that never fails them is their long-lasting love, which is symbolized by a special necklace Martha wears.

“For our 25th wedding anniversary, Emmett surprised me by having that Valentine’s pin turned into a necklace. I cherish it,” Martha said.

“We’ll be celebrating our 60th anniversary in August, so I’ve had it quite a long time.”

This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate Martha and Emmett’s commitment to not only each other, but to Aberdeen Heights. Here’s to love!

Aberdeen Heights

3

New community arises from growing senior needs This month, we continue to look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan. This month, we continue our look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan.

the project. Dr. Robert Meneilly steered a committee of local and church leaders in the “Building for Our Future” campaign for Aberdeen Village.

In 1996, Presbyterians in Johnson County were convinced there was a need for a new Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus in the Greater Kansas City area, and specifically in Johnson County. At the time, there were no Christian-based nonprofit senior living communities offering the full continuum of care in Johnson County.

The project included a threestory building for 90 independent living apartments, 44 assisted living suites in a twostory building, and a 60-bed health care center with 15 spaces reserved for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

A 37-acre tract of land just east of West 119th Street and Ridgeview Road in Olathe was donated for

Construction began in 1999.

Aberdeen Village opened its doors in May 2001 as the 17th campus for Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica.

“Be of Good Cheer” committee members honoring the work of Dr. Bob Meneilly.

Construction is underway on Aberdeen Village.

Coming Up in Community Matters Community Matters will be looking forward to the change in seasons to spring and preparing to celebrate Easter. We’re looking for residents with a story to tell.

What’s your favorite March Madness memory?

Who’s your favorite baseball team? Why? What’s your favorite baseball memory?

What does spring mean to you? What do you remember about spring as a child or adult?

What’s your favorite Easter memory?

If you have a story to tell, contact Resident Lifestyle Coordinator Vicky Weibel to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.

4

Community Matters February 2015

Request to receive our newsletter by email. Send a message to smay2@pmma.org and ask to have the newsletter delivered to your inbox. It’s that easy!