Clay Center Community Matters September 2017

Commun ty Matters Clay Center Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

On the Right PATH

September 2017

Post Acute to Home Rehabilitation Program Shows Positive Outcome

We will feature memory care or gratitude in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story about memory care or how gratitude has shaped you, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story.

Contact Heather Germann, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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During the month of September, we celebrate and highlight an important service offered at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor: Post Acute to Home, or PATH®. The PATH rehabilitation program is available for Presbyterian Manor residents and also to those in the Clay Center community and beyond. Our rehabilitation therapy program, powered by Aegis Therapies, is Vonda Brockman made tremedous progress during the designed to help our two months she spent in the PATH rehabilitation residents regain physical program. functioning. Our therapists work with patients to provide a therapy regimen to help them recover what may have been diminished or affected during an illness or from an injury.

Here we share two PATH success stories and invite you to learn more about this service by calling 785-632-5646.

Vonda Brockman: When Clay Center resident Vonda Brockman went to Illinois for a graduation in May, she couldn’t have guessed that she wouldn’t return to Kansas for more than four weeks. But when she arrived in Illinois, she was in terrible pain. She asked her daughter to take her to the hospital, and there, they discovered a perforated ulcer.

“They did emergency surgery, and the doctor didn’t think she’d make it through surgery,” said Kraig Brockman, Vonda’s son. “She was in the

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By Suzanne Gerber Pop quiz: When you think about how technology will personally impact your life over the next 10 to 20 years, which of these things do you envision as being part of that evolution?: A.Holographic technology to communicate with your family B. A car that chauffeurs you around C.3-D-printed medicine D.Drones to help with household activities E. All of the above If the tech-prognosticators are to be believed, the correct answer is E: All of those Jetsons-sounding devices will be available in the coming not-so-many years.

Community Matters 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.

Christian Gilbert, 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.

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2 COMMUNITY MATTERS SEPTEMBER 2017

Whether that news thrills or terrifies you, it’s ultimately a good thing, because these technological developments can help older adults and those who are housebound with tasks keep them mobile, keep them at home longer and help them stay connected to others, which is one of the most important factors for a long and fulfilling life.

“Loneliness is at epidemic levels among elders in the U.S. today,” says Juliet Holt Klinger, senior director of dementia care and programs at Brookdale Senior Living, a leading provider of assisted living and home care. A colleague of hers, Brookdale Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin O’Neil, agrees. “Human connection is crucial for people at all ages, but especially so for seniors,” he says.

“Loneliness in this age group is associated with shorter life spans, chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, depression and even dementia,” rookdale Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin O’Neil agrees.

A recent study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia found that healthy and mildly cognitively impaired people over 70 who engaged in daily faceto-face online conversations for six weeks showed “significant improvements in cognitive skills.”

Despite all the exciting developments coming down the pike, however, there’s currently a gap between what’s available now and what’s accessible to the general older adult population.

According to a recent survey by techservices provider Bask, eight in 10 older Americans lack the means to utilize the technology — but they would “make greater and more frequent use of information and communications technology (ICT) if they had ready access to support and assistance.”

Bask’s research indicates that only one-

Experts say it will make life happier, healthier and easier for older adults and caregivers

third of respondents use a personal computer at least once a month, and fewer than one in five text. Close to 50 percent said they don’t go online “because it takes too long to understand and keep up with technological change.” And a full 39 percent said they felt “only somewhat connected or not connected at all to their families.” Recent research from Brookdale further found that 27 percent of people over 80 are “virtual shut-ins.”

There’s no easy fix, but for now, it’s up to us — friends and family — to take the initiative and help and mentor our older loved ones with technology.

There was a noticeable sea change at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: a greater emphasis on needs of people in their 70s, 80s and beyond.

“We’re seeing some new devices that are easier to use, portable and easy to read,” she notes, which to her is an indication that manufacturers are finally “kind of getting the idea of seniors being able to actually use them independently.”

A few of the gadgets aimed at older users include a programmable

TECHNOLOGY

continued on page 4

Getty Images

The amazing technology that could change how we age

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hospital for 10 days and had to go to a rehab facility there initially because she wasn’t strong enough to travel. They kept her for 20 days, as that’s all Medicare would pay for, and said we had to bring her back to Kansas. They would release her if we had a doctor say there was a rehab facility for her to go to. We live really close to Presbyterian Manor; I know people who’ve worked there, and I’m familiar with the other places in town. So the decision to bring her here was pretty easy.”

Vonda was in the PATH program for nearly two months and showed tremendous progress. She’s now back home, living independently in her apartment, where she loves to do crossword puzzles and admire all the pictures of grandkids on her walls.

“She just thought the people were extremely nice and helpful. We weren't sure if she’d get back to her apartment, but we’re very happy with everyone who helped her get there,” said Kraig.

Fern Turner: Clay Center resident Fern Turner also experienced a life-changing health event in May, and thanks to Presbyterian Manor’s PATH program, he is on the road to recovery.

“He fell on May 23 and broke his leg right below his hip. He was initially evaluated at a Clay Center hospital, then sent to Via Christi in Wichita,” said his wife, Dorothy. “He’s 92, and when this happened at his age, I was concerned.

Surgery itself carries so many risks, but he came through that well. We were in a bind, though, because they said he had to be out of the hospital in just a few days.”

Fern Turner and his wife Dorothy knew Clay Center Presbyterian Manor would be the best place for Fern to be during his road to recovery after he broke his leg.

When it came time for Fern and Dorothy to decide where to go for rehabilitation, there was no hesitation.

Their daughter, Deb Forshee, served as the director of nursing at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor for many years and now works for the corporate office of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA).

Ruth McNish wrote a note expressing her gratitude after spending time in the PATH program and assisted living.

“PMMA bent over backwards to get him in. They took him on Monday, which was Memorial Day. Three people came in who were off duty, and a therapist

came up from Wichita to evaluate him and get him going,” said Dorothy. “He’s doing really well. The therapists have said he’s well ahead of schedule for healing, especially at his age. The two therapists he had were excellent – couldn't have asked for anyone better. And they worked hard with him, and he’s the type of person that doesn’t give up. He has amazing willpower.”

Fern looks forward to being back home soon and playing dominoes with friends and family.

“Our experience with Presbyterian Manor has been absolutely wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone. The employees, aides and nurses are outstanding, very friendly, and they’ve said they’ll miss him when he’s gone. He’s kind of a quiet person but has a lot of fun with them. They have been super. I felt that they always went the extra mile.”

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TECHNOLOGY continued from page 3

“universal monitoring solution” called Mother that sends a reminder to people to take their meds if the bottle has been stationary past a predetermined amount of time. Another notable debut was a smart TV called Angela, designed for folks who aren’t comfortable using a smartphone or tablet yet want to be able to video chat and share photos and messages.

The fact that the number of people 60 and above is expected to more than double by 2050 and that the number of people 80-plus will increase more than

sevenfold by 2100 isn’t lost on the R+D folks.

“Future tech will increase older people’s independence and help relieve the health services,” says Naomi Climer, the new president of the prestigious Institution of Engineering and Technology.

In her inaugural speech last fall, Climer said that in 2050, when she’ll be in her 80s, she expects her life to include some, if not all of the following: • Being woken up in her intelligent house by the curtains that automatically open when they detect that she’s in her lightest sleep phase

• Taking 3-D-printed medicine personally created for her containing all the drugs needed for the day • Wearing “chainmail-like fabric” that allows her complete mobility without a wheelchair • Using holographic technology to beam family members into her home • Traveling in a fully autonomous vehicle available on demand It almost sounds too good to be true for those of us who would be excited if we could get our parents to answer a Skype call with the video on. © Twin Cities Public Television - 2017. All rights reserved.

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Chapel Sept. 5: Pastor Lingle Sept. 12: Father Weber Sept. 19: Pastor Stewart Sept. 26: Pastor Lynch

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Sept. 3: Pastor Lynch Sept. 10: Pastor Clay Sept. 17: Pastor Nelson Sept. 25: Father Weber

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