Arkansas City Community Matters July 2020

Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor

JULY 2020

The Vine and the Branches

By Bill Bowles, chaplain

The following passage is from John 15:4-11 New International Version (NIV).

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Bill Bowles video chats with his daughter.

Technology brings residents and families together during pandemic

Even though residents have been restricted from having family and friends visit in person during the pandemic, technology is making faceto-face time possible, keeping connections safe and meaningful.

“A lot of our residents have iPhones or iPads and they don’t know how to use FaceTime, so I’ve gone around and shown them how to access it and how we can use it with multiple family members at once. They really think that’s cool. They’ve been able to actually see people that they didn’t think they would have an opportunity to visit with because they weren’t TECH - continued on page 2

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, CHAPLAIN - continued on page 2

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TECH - continued from page 1

that tech savvy,” said Lori Peters, activity director and master level social worker.

Throughout the pandemic, Lori has seen first-hand how technology is bringing residents and their families close together—even when spread out all over the country.

“For Mother’s Day, we had children who lived in different parts of the country use FaceTime to get together with mom. One son hadn’t seen his two sisters and he had been working on his home, which his mom hadn’t seen either.

So, he took everyone on a tour to see the changes he’d made. They were all excited because they wouldn’t have seen it otherwise,” said Lori. “Technology is not just about seeing people, but their environments, their homes, the things they’re passionate about.

They’re able to share that through technology with family members who may not ever be able to see them, even without the restrictions due to COVID.” CHAPLAIN - continued from page 1

that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told

Residents living in assisted living and independent living have adjusted well to this new way of communicating.

“They’ve embraced it and love it!

Less so, to a larger degree, in health care just because we have more people with higher acuity illness.

With dementia, it’s much harder to understand. They question why they’re looking at a picture. I think it can be overwhelming for them. They need more physical connection with people,” said Lori.

We all need connection with people, whether in person or by technology, as it has multiple benefits.

COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020

“It doesn’t replace hugging, but it helps with feeling connected,” added Lori.

To set up a call with a loved one, family members can contact Lori at 620-506-0130.

you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Action steps:

Residents can initiate a call with Lori or a member of the nursing staff.

There’s a team who are all armed with iPads, thanks to a grant through Cares Act that made it possible to purchase extra iPads. ◆

Key ideas:

Take a good look at a houseplant or a garden flower today; use your observation to write a parable.

• Staying close to Christ

Prayer:

• A choice of withering or fruitfulness

Lord, it is more important today that I walk with you as close as I know how even though I always expect you to walk closely with me. ◆

• Joy in obedience

620-442-8700 ◆ Fax: 620-442-8224 1711 N. Fourth St. Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org

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While the visitor restrictions won’t last forever, there’s a good chance communicating with family via technology will.

“We’re human beings: connectedness and relationships are our make-up. That’s who we are as people. We have to have those relationships to stay mentally and emotionally healthy. In these times when family think it’s such a tragedy their parent is locked up here and they can’t see anybody, family members can see video and photos we email of their loved ones

ARKANSAS CITY Presbyterian Manor

doing all the things we normally do just in a social distancing way.

They’re still living their life and enjoying things. It’s important family members see that so it mitigates feelings that it’s a tragic situation. They start realizing life didn’t just stop with this, it’s still going on, just a little differently right now,” said Lori.

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

To submit or suggest articles: spage@PMMA.org Sarah Griggs, executive director Sean Page, marketing director

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

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Memorial Garden commemorates loved ones Memorial Day is traditionally a time when families gather to celebrate and remember the loved ones that we have lost, especially those who died in active military service.

tradition here at our community.

As with other holidays, Memorial Day celebrations were different this year. While we grieve the loss of our traditions, we are adapting to our circumstances and starting a new

Our Memory Care neighborhood created their own indoor Memorial Garden to enjoy on the fourth floor.

We invited our residents and staff to create a Memorial Garden of pinwheel flowers on the front lawn around the canopy and in the health care courtyard.

Names of loved ones were written

on the pinwheel flower petals.

Friday morning we placed the pinwheels around the campus grounds.

Along with the pinwheels, we lined our drive and the courtyard with flags to commemorate the Memorial Day holiday and honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. â—†

Pinwheel flowers for the Memorial Garden.

From left, Mary Kay McGuire Griggs, Betty Harris, Lowell Smith and Dorothy Decker with their pinwheel flowers.

Lowell Smith places a pinwheel flower along the drive.

Zora Weir walks along the drive viewing the pinwheel flowers.

Edith Marlow and her pinwheel flower.

From left, Elsie Tipton, Bobby Tipton, Cammy Boone and Lexie Tennant placing pinwheel flowers.

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ARKANSAS CITY Presbyterian Manor

1711 N. Fourth St. Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 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.

July birthdays Bob Anstine Wilma Anstine Maxine Holman Perry Pearman Bud Riley Doris Bazil Bill Bowles Jennabelle Crow Berniece VanSchuyver

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020

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, ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org/ 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. ◆