The Glen at Aberdeen Heights Community Matters November 2020

Aberdeen Heights

NOVEMBER 2020

Excite all your senses in our new sensory garden If something feels a little different at Aberdeen Heights, it’s probably the new sensory garden in the outside courtyard.

Carol McSweeney worked with Life Enrichment Director David Evans to create the garden, fashioned after similar gardens she created through her work with Delta Gamma when the sorority launched a national project to help the blind.

“We partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind,” Carol said.

Sensory garden– continued on page 2

COVID-19 updates continue Get the latest updates on visitation status, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website, AberdeenSeniorLiving.com/ covid-19. If there is a COVID19 outbreak (positive COVID-19 test) at your community, your leadership team will contact employees, residents and their designated family representatives via telephone, email or mail with information about the outbreak and the recommendations of the local health department. u

Our beautiful sensory garden reaches all the senses: taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing... when we hear the oohs and aahs from people who experience it.

Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Customer experience – continued from page 1 “They found there was nothing in the area for preschool children who were blind. I happen to have a son who is blind. We bought a building and started some of these programs and found a section of the grounds for a garden. It was wonderful for the blind.”

Between Carol’s love of gardening and her experience creating sensory gardens, she already had a complete list of some plants and features that would be ideal to replicate such a garden at Aberdeen Heights.

“I just brought in some basil, and it is filling the kitchen with its aroma,” Carol said. “We use plants that have feels and smells. I made up this list before, and I found it in my filing cabinet. I took off with it, and I have a good relationship with Sugar Creek Nursery in Kirkwood. You can always go there and find what you’re looking for. They put together a box of plants from my list.”

For instance, Lamb’s Ear is a soft and fuzzy plant that has a unique texture. Other plants, such as onion chives, release a strong scent anytime they are brushed or handled.

“When we did these for the kids, we used a lot of herbs,” Carol said.

Carol McSweeney poses by the sensory garden.

“They could smell it, and know that this is oregano, and it’s what is in my mom’s spaghetti.”

The Aberdeen Heights sensory garden is in a wooden box on legs to keep it off the ground, which makes it easier for residents to enjoy without the need to bend or stoop. It also has some wind chimes and a water feature nearby.

Foliage includes catnip, which has texture, smell, and blue flowers, dill, chives, oregano, basil and scented geraniums.

“This is the same habitat area for

the turtles,” Carol said, referring to the family of turtles that emerge daily to snack on the food she sets out for them. “They’ll be hibernating soon, so I won’t have to make these big brunches for them.”

With this first garden completed, Carol is setting her sights on future expansion.

“The enrichment people want to branch out a bit,” Carol said. “It does take care from someone who enjoys gardening. But it’s been really fun, and it looks pretty darned good.” u

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Community Matters 314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2020

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.

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.

Island life makes appearance at Aberdeen Heights luau Winter might be just around the corner, but don’t tell that to the staff and residents of Aberdeen Heights!

We threw a full Hawaiian luau, complete with hula skirts and leis.

We even set up a bowling alley with pineapples and coconuts,and served drinks from coconut cups with hibiscus flower straws. The party really heated up when we rolled out the grand finale: an erupting volcano (made with vinegar and baking soda).

Everyone had a great time and made a lot of fun memories, some of which were documented in our portable photo booth that traveled door-to-door to take pictures of the residents enjoying this fun break in the sun. u

David Evans

Betty Schmitt

Phyllis Hippenmeyer

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Loy Corder Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Why is Thanksgiving celebrated with turkey?

Turkey has become the traditional Thanksgiving fare, but did you know that it was at one time a rare treat? During the 1830s, an eight- to tenpound bird cost a day’s wages!

Even though turkeys are much more affordable today, they still remain a celebratory symbol of bounty. In fact, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin ate roast turkey in foil packets for their first meal on the Moon. u

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2020