Clay Center Community Matters February 2017

Commun ty Matters Clay Center Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

Have you volunteered?

We will focus on volunteerism in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. Where have you volunteered your time? Why do you volunteer? What are the benefits for you?

If you’ve got a story to share, contact Heather Germann, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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February 2017

Clay Center Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception features senior artists Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity.

This month, their works are on display at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor.

“It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” Heather Germann, marketing director and senior living counselor. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Clay Center community.”

The Art is Ageless exhibit will feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including a few Clay Center Presbyterian Manor residents. The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of acrylics, oils, photography and various other media, from amateur to professional levels. The exhibit is open Feb. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. If you or someone you know is interested in submitting artwork, the deadline is Feb. 21.

In addition to the exhibit, Clay Center Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 25.

The Art is Ageless program has been encouraging creativity in seniors for more than 35 years, and is sponsored by Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica, which owns and operates 17 senior living communities in Missouri and Kansas. Each year the organization publishes an Art is Ageless calendar, featuring works by amateur senior artists. Proceeds from the sale of calendars are reinvested into new art programs and opportunities for PMMA residents.

JOIN the

WELCOME

PROJECT Vespers

4 p.m. on Sundays in the Health Care Dining Room

Chapel

February 7 - Pastor Weber February 14 - Pastor Stewart February 21 - Pastor Lynch February 28 - Pastor Schoneweis

Life is better when you’re surrounded by friends.

If you know of friends who are interested in the independent living or assisted living lifestyle you enjoy here, providing their names could lead to rewards—for both of you.

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Community Matters

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is published monthly for residents and friends of Clay Center Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Sheldon Klassen, interim executive director Heather Germann, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Heather Germann, hgermann@pmma.org.

Telephone: 785-632-5646 Fax: 785-632-5874 Address: 924 Eighth St., Clay Center, KS 67432-2620

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

Clay Center Presbyterian Manor’s Postt-Acute To Home (P PA ATH HŽ) program isn’t just about ut getting you home—it’s aabout getting you back to your liffee.

Call 785-6 -632-5646 today to o schedule your per sonal s appointment and tourr.

ClayCenterPresbyterianManor.org

ClayCenterPresbyt y erianManorr.org

2 COMMUNITY MATTERS FEBRUARY

2017

Learning to Swim at 80

By Louise Jackson

Every Thursday night, I drive to the gym, wriggle into a swimsuit that does nothing to hide my bulging belly or my wrinkled, sagging underarms, put on swim goggles that make me look a bit like someone from outer space, grab my cane to help keep my balance while walking from the dressing room into the pool area and slowly ease down the steps into water smelling of chlorine.

I’m 80 years old and taking a swim class for the first time in my life.

How Do You Go Eight Decades Without Learning to Swim?

You’d think, given the description of my general appearance in one of today’s swimsuits, I’d be embarrassed to be seen at the pool. And I did think about that beforehand, but I looked around the women’s dressing room one day and realized I was in good company.

People’s bodies come in all sizes and shapes and using my appearance as an excuse for opting out of an activity I really wanted to try seemed selfdefeating. So, in spite of my misgivings, I paid the class fee.

If you grew up near a lake or a town with a swimming pool, or your parents swam, it may surprise you to learn I’ve never taken swimming lessons. But I grew up on a small ranch in Central Texas during an extreme, extended drought and all the swimming holes became wading pools.

Further, the cause of polio was yet unknown. We looked with fear at Life magazine photos showing long rows of children in iron lungs, unable to breathe on their own. The media warned parents about exposing their children to large groups in strange situations. Driving 20 miles each way, just so a child could learn to swim, was never even considered.

Better Late Than Never

After I became an adult, I watched with envy as others swam. I eventually taught myself to float and even to swim, after a fashion, but always wanted to do more, to be better. Finally, when my gym decided to offer adult swim lessons, I reminded myself of the old adage, “Better late than never,” and have just completed half the eight-week course.

To my surprise, even though I’m the oldest person in the class, I haven’t felt the least bit awkward and I’m doing pretty well in spite of some breathlessness due to A-fib. Everyone else has to struggle, too. We’re there because we want to learn to swim or swim more skillfully. It’s a new and demanding experience for each of us.

I’ve made friends with all sorts of people — young men who grew up in deserts, moms who want to swim with their children and a few younger seniors who, like me, hope to stay healthy as long as possible. One young

Getty Images photo

woman even told me, “I want to be like you when I grow up!” (I think several bulges may have shrunk a bit on hearing those words!)

Feeling Sore — But It’sWorth It

One caveat if you’re thinking of following my lead:You may feel stiff and sore after the first several classes.

That could be true even if, like me, you’re no stranger to gentle exercising like walking or Tai chi.

Swimming demands the use of muscles in totally different ways.

Still, take heart. The aches don’t last and each session feels less demanding, as you build endurance.

For me, the water is no longer an awkward environment. My balance,

Swimming continued on page 4

Soup Supper Success

Thanks to the Clay Center Community High School FFA for putting on a successful soup supper late last year. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit our Good Samaritan program, which provides financial assistance to residents in need.

CLAY CENTER PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3

Swimming continued from page 3

slightly impaired by a small stroke, isn’t a problem in the pool.

I look forward to learning new skills and getting better at the ones I’ve already learned.

Never too chilly for checkers

Roger Mall and Russell James play checkers on a cold winter day.

Last week, we began the breast stroke. It used my leg muscles in different ways than the freestyle, and I’m stiff again. But that’s OK. It feels good to think I’m getting stronger and more supple with each new activity.

I figure, if you’re lucky, you get older. But aging doesn’t mean you should stop learning and staying in shape. Swimming is fun! I’ve already signed up for another eight lessons, beginning in the new year. It’s my Christmas present to myself.

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Clay Center Presbyterian Manor 924 Eighth St. Clay Center, KS 67432-2620

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