Fort Scott Community Matters December 2020

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

DECEMBER 2020

It’s cold outside — but not in here

Megan Brillhart

While we are spending more time inside, we’re focused on improving spaces for our residents’ enjoyment.

Welcome Megan Brillhart to our Presbyterian Village Family

The Bistro area located near the beauty shop is getting a face-lift as we add a fresh coffee and hot chocolate bar to the space. Residents and staff can gather in small groups with social distancing or individually to select the flavor of their choice to add to the warm treats that are provided in the space.

Be sure to stop by and enjoy this inviting new area. u

A new face joined our team on Oct. 1.

Megan Brillhart is the new marketing and admissions director. She will be assisting with screening, coordinating family visits, and meeting with interested parties about the Presbyterian Village resident experience.

The newly freshened Bistro offers a coffee and hot chocolate bar.

Christmas carolers to spread Christmas cheer ‘Tis the season, and Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is looking for church groups, school groups and anyone interested in spreading Christmas cheer to sing for our residents.

We have a large patio area for carolers, and the many large windows in that space make it the perfect place for groups to sing to our residents. It will truly lift our seniors’ spirits as they hear the sounds of the holidays!

Please call 620-223-5550 to secure a time that your group can come spread the cheer of Christmas. u

Megan has strong roots in Bourbon County. She is the granddaughter of Ed and Opal Brillhart and Bob and Jackie Webster. She grew up in the Uniontown and Fort Scott area and graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in psychology. Megan has two boys who are 8 and 9 years old. They are involved in 4-H, soccer, and they attend Community Christian Church.

Megan’s goal is to keep the Presbyterian Village connection to the community strong while being a community resource for all seniors and their families. Join us in giving Megan a warm Fort Scott Presbyterian Village welcome! u

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Improvements allow safe indoor visits during colder months Since we can’t schedule an indoor visit without consideration of our county positivity rates, which change from week to week, we want to provide a space that isn’t dependent on county COVID-19 new case factors.

If you haven’t had a chance to see the improvements, please be sure to drop by for a glass visit using one of the two hallway “elbow” locations that we have available. Family and friends will now be welcomed with a warm, comfortable indoor vestibule space complete with holiday décor, improved ability to hear their loved one through the glass and a warm

hot chocolate or coffee refreshment for everyone to enjoy during their visit together.

If you’d like to schedule the space and share a holiday meal, open gifts together, or just take as much time as needed to for a nice visit, please contact Megan Brillhart at mbrillhart@ pmma.org or call 620223-5550. During warmer weather, it wasn’t necessary to preschedule the hallway “elbow” vestibule spaces. Now that

temperatures aren’t as conducive to being outside, the glass visits will need to be scheduled in order to ensure the space is open and available to your family when you arrive. u

The importance of staying connected We are getting ready for the holiday season, when traditionally families gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

These days, families are having tough conversations about what holiday plans are going to look like for 2020.

A term often mentioned is that “It’s Zoom for the holidays.” It is truly great that we have the technology to be together without being in the same place.

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village will be scheduling virtual holiday dinners with residents’ families so that they

can still be together, but in a safe way. Contact Marketing Director Megan Brillhart at mbrillhart@pmma.org to set up your virtual holiday gathering. If you are not able to do a virtual dinner, you can always send a “thinking of you” video that we’d be more than happy to share with your loved one.

Keeping with tradition, cards are a great old-fashioned way to stay connected. Today it seems as though mail is meant more for delivering our online purchases rather than a way to show someone you are

thinking of them. We rely on instant messages, texts and emails as an effortless way to communicate. We have to keep in mind that not all of our seniors are comfortable with technology. The value of taking the time to send a message to the heart can mean more than anything.

You can also send an Art is Ageless Christmas card electronically through a link on our website on the COVID-19 update page. Send the card to Megan at mbrillhart@pmma.org and she will make sure that your family member receives it. u

Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

Community Matters 620-223-5550 u Fax: 620-223-7800 2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org

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is published monthly for residents and friends of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

To submit or suggest articles: mbrillhart@pmma.org Ginger Nance, executive director Megan Brillhart, marketing coordinator

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Holiday Mask-R-Ade! In these ever-changing times, why not bring a little fun with some friendly and creative competition?

Masks are something we are still not quite used to wearing, however they are now part of the “new normal.” While there are contests for decorating trees, Christmas lights, and even the ugliest Christmas sweater, we think it should go another step further. Why not dress up our masks to celebrate the season? Residents will have the opportunity to decorate their own creative fashions to enter in this festive contest. u Nolene Whiteside

Virtual Greetings Nolene Whiteside uses an iPad to make a happy birthday video to send to her daughter Sheryl. Thanks to the use of technology and various video chatting applications, there’s no need to miss out on special events, such as a birthday celebration or the upcoming holidays.u

Holiday shopping in style on December 2 On Dec. 2, we will take residents who are interested in holiday shopping to a downtown store called the Sunshine Boutique.

Owner Georgia Brown knows how important it is for people to get out during the holiday season to shop, see decorations, hear the music and feel the atmosphere of a quaint shopping experience in downtown Fort Scott. Georgia has offered to open her store privately to our residents for a COVID-safe shopping experience. Her shop has unique gifts, coffees, trendy clothing, candles and many other items sure to be on the holiday wish lists of men and women alike. COVID will not deter our holiday spirit! u

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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, FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org/co vid-19. Visitation status is updated weekly on Mondays for the week ending the following Sunday.

Visitation status is updated as needed in between due to outbreak or health department orders.

from COVID-19. Whenever you leave your residence or are in the presence of others, wear a cloth mask or face covering over your nose and mouth, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or

You can also send your loved one a digital Christmas Card from our Art is AgelessÂŽ card collection. Email the card to your campus contact for delivery, or send directly to your loved one via their email address.

With cases on the rise, we remind you to practice basic safety measures to keep yourselves and others safe

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2020

alcohol-based gel, and maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between yourself and others with whom you do not live. Practicing these simple safety measures can help stop the spread of COVID-19. u