SEPTEMBER 2022
Staff members share ideas on path to self-improvement Left to Right Front Row: Lauren Keller, Liz Miller, Kim Rawlings, Diane Gunsolley. Back Row: Sandy Barnes, Stephanie Oehlert, David Meyer
The path to self-improvement is a very personal one – with everyone looking inward to determine the best way forward. Each of us must identify our strengths and weaknesses and think about the tools that can best help us move to a better place. To help us better understand the various approaches to self-improvement, we asked our staff to share some of their insights, observations, and tools they hope to leverage to continue their personal journey. Lauren Keller - Concierge Mindfulness – It is too often that I leave little time for me to focus on my own thoughts and feelings as well as what my body and environment are telling me. I feel working on my mindfulness will help to reduce stress and anxiety as well as aid in planning for further acts of self-improvement. David Meyer – Sales & Marketing Counselor I’d have to go with fitness as my main focus. Finding a balance of time to go the gym has been difficult in recent years and leads to me not watching or caring as much about what I eat. Exercising would also give me focus on a better diet leading to overall physical and mental health. Sandy Barnes – Life Enrichment Director Everyone is always telling me that I am always thinking of others and what they want or need and not myself. So, I guess my biggest fault is not thinking of what I need and putting my needs and wants first for a change. I have been trying this at times lately and have liked the outcome when I have done so. So, I am doing it a little more often. But my family (especially my grandchildren) will always come first with me. This is just how I was raised by my Mom. She was my mentor and I learned a lot from her. She always put others first and herself last. She always was happy and I feel the same way. I love seeing others have a good time like last week at “The Big Splash”. All that work paid off to see everyone having a great time. Self-improvement – continued on page 2
Meet our new Life Enrichment Assistant Director, Shannon Cummings Q. How long have you been with PMMA? A. I started June 27th, I’ve been here for about one month with PMMA and in my current role as Life Enrichment Assistant Director. Q. Can you talk about the job and what you do? A. At this time, my job is programming Shannon and running all Cummings activities in assisted living. I’ll also be helping Sandy with other duties when she’s gone or as needed around the Aberdeen community. Besides doing activities, the living room on the second floor in Assisted Living is where I reside most of my day, so anytime a resident comes looking for something to do or just wants to chat I’m available. I like to try and invite each resident in AL to each and every activity. I am enjoying learning their likes and dislikes as well as telling them more about myself. Q. What ideas do you have for this role? A. I would like to be able to get every resident in AL to engage somehow in at least one activity. My plan is to keep them busy as much as they would like to be but give them variety as well. We’ll be incorporating some outings, live entertainment, patio time, coffee, new games they have not played, various music activities and wellness activities for their body and mind. The goal is to keep everyone as
Cummings – continued on page 3
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