Residents join forces to welcome new neighbors, increase involvement
From unfamiliar surroundings to unfamiliar faces, moving into a new home can sometimes be daunting. To help make the transition just a little easier, those joining the Farmington Presbyterian Manor community have their very own welcoming committee standing by.
Comprised of Millie Bradley, Wanda Chatman, Ernestine Medley and Mary Miller, the welcoming committee was formed to help new residents get to know their neighbors and staff members and feel like they’re part of the PMMA family.
The idea behind the group was the brainchild of Activities Director Carol Winch and Activities Assistant Cara Simms, who were looking for ways to increase involvement and an overall sense of community after two years of lockdowns and restrictions.
“COVID shut us down from having many activities in groups, so we were trying to build up participation,” said Carol. “We thought of every different direction we could go, and this came about.”
So, while new residents will still get the traditional “welcome basket” of goodies, the real objective of the group is to introduce their new neighbors to other residents along with the numerous activities available at the community. In fact, to help break the ice, a member of the welcoming committee will even accompany new residents to any community activity they’re interested in.
“Let’s face it, you’re more likely to go more with a friend than a stranger,” said Carol.
The group has only been around for a little more than a month, but according to Millie, she’s already made a new friend. For Carol, that’s what it’s all about.
“What better way to make someone feel good than to meet a friend?” said Carol. u
EDITOR’S NOTE: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Robert “Bob” Griffin, chaplain at Topeka Presbyterian Manor®.
THINKING ABOUT…
Punxsutawney
Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day. For those who gauge the future by a groundhog, that was supposed to mean we were going to have six more weeks of winter. For some, that might be a welcomed forecast. For others, the winter has dragged on long enough! So, as we turn the calendar to a new month in March, what are we to do? Glad you asked!
The Apostle Paul has wise advice for us:“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8, NIV). Sometime later, a man of much influence, Buddha, made this observation: “We are shaped by our thoughts, we become what we think.” What we think and how we think matters. Our thoughts influence our emotional, physical, and spiritual health. You’ve probably heard of “the winter blues.” The winter blues is a real thing!
Chaplain–continued on page 2
Chaplain – continued from page 1
In an article published on February 2nd “Verywellhealth.com” Nurse
Carrie Madormo writes: “If you’ve ever found yourself feeling rather blah during the winter months, you have likely experienced the winter blues. This very common condition affects just about every one of us at some point when we notice a shift in our moods during the colder, darker days of winter. It’s normal to feel down, sluggish, or not quite yourself during this
time.” The winter blues are real but we need not let them rob us of our joy and vitality in life.
One of the ways for us to cope with the winter blues, or a longer winter, is to control our thoughts. We can do that! We may not be able to control the temperature, snowfall, freezing rain, or groundhog, but we CAN control our thoughts.
Take your thoughts to a place, a person, or a thing that rings true of all that is good. Focus your thoughts on the pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy things of
New patient portal provides 24/7 access to health information
Farmington Presbyterian Manor is proud to announce that residents and their families now have around-the-clock access to vital health information, thanks to a new partnership with Care Community. This user-friendly patient portal allows individuals to view, track and manage vitals, appointments, existing conditions, medications, allergies, family history, and more all from the convenience of your computer or smart devices. In addition, users can even message their care team, make appointments and relay information from a remote health tracker. Be on the lookout for an email from Care Community that will provide more information and step-by-step directions to get logged in and begin utilizing all that the portal has to offer. u
life. For me, it’s seeing a picture of my purely innocent two-year-old grandson with a bowl of spaghetti turned upside down on his head. Or, the sight of a lovely bright red cardinal sitting on a tree limb (perhaps trying to be inconspicuous but he’s too beautiful to go unnoticed!). Or a friend who sent me a note saying they were thinking of me – excellent! Whatever those things are for you, think about such things. You’ll smile more, enjoy life more, “…and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9, NIV).
Resource: www.verywellhealth.com/winter-blues u
Community Matters
New resident recounts journey that led to Farmington Presbyterian Manor
had an art career specializing in portraiture, that he did on the streets of NY.
Later in life, Miguel also spent time as an assistant principal at a Christian school and a minister where he focused his attention on the children within the congregation.
“Ministry was fun, I myself am fun—I’m always a clown,” said Miguel.
Miguel eventually moved across the country, and it was there that his health issues eventually caught up with him.
Miguel Oquendo’s life has been anything but ordinary.
Born in Puerto Rico, Miguel moved to New York when he was six years old and was eventually abandoned by his parents during a hospital stay following an accident.
“They just had too many mouths to feed,” said Miguel.
It was actually one of those other mouths who turned out to be Miguel’s saving grace.
“My brother Manny, who’s 83 years old now, is my hero,” said Miguel.
Manny, who was one of Miquel’s 11 siblings to survive childbirth, was the one who snuck Miguel out of the hospital and into the
care of some of his other siblings.
“Manny went and got me out the back way like a thief,” said Miguel. But it was another “family” that got Miguel through his adolescence.
Like many of the kids growing up in Miguel’s tough neighborhood in the Bronx, he joined a street gang. At the time he viewed many of his fellow gang members as “losers,” however he now realizes that they were the ones who saved his life.
“I have a lot of stories about how they rescued me,” said Miguel. After leaving the gang at the age of 20, Miguel began a long career in restaurant management and
“I was in Arizona, and I kept falling a lot, so my family insisted that I come live with them, and it was from there that I moved here,” said Miguel. Since becoming a resident of Farmington Presbyterian Manor in late 2022, Miguel is once again giving back to those around him by teaching art classes within the community—recently beginning a session on contour drawing.
“It’s really fun and it helps you feel good,” said Miguel.
Now, settled into his new home, Miguel looks back at his life and feels thankful.
“By the grace of God, I’ve had an amazing existence, I can’t complain,” said Miguel. u
‘By the grace of God, I’ve had an amazing existence’
500 Cayce St.
Farmington, MO 63640-2910
