Fort Scott Community Matters March 2022

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

MARCH 2022

The surprising benefits of house plants Bert Nichols truly has a green thumb when it comes to her blooming violets.

“You don’t want hot sun on them, but you want good light for them to thrive,” she says. “My apartment has big windows with a beautiful view that allow in great natural Bert Nichols loves the natural light in her apartlight that just brings ment because it nurtures her many plants. your apartment to life.

I really enjoy having the space to have all my plants in here.”

There are so many benefits to having house plants, such as improving décor, mental focus and physical health. Not only can they purify your air, but they can also boost your healing.

The Top 5 benefits of house plants are: • Reduces carbon monoxide levels • Increases humidity • Reduces levels of some air pollutants and toxins • Reduces airborne dust • Keeps air temperatures lower Adding a houseplant to your home can make a great welcoming addition.

If you do have pets, just make sure the plant you choose is pet friendly. u

Heart health and changing our habits Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S? This statistic can sound pretty scary, but luckily there are several preventative measures you can take.

Some elements, such as family history or other situational matters, might be out of your control.

However, there is quite a bit you can do to prevent and even reverse damage.

As we get older, lifestyle changes can be difficult to achieve. However, simple changes could also add years to our life. Here are seven habits that make a difference to heart health: 1. Get more active! Did you know that it is important to elevate your heart rate for at least 150 minutes each week? You should also incorporate strength training twice a week, according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This may sound like a lot, but it can be as simple as gardening, walking your dog or taking a brisk walk, or performing daily chores.

Just find a way to get up and moving.

2. Alcohol in moderation. Excessive alcohol intake can raise blood Heart Healthy – continued on page 3

Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org/covid-19.

1

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village receives customer experience award Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, a PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) senior living community, is a recipient of Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2022 Customer Experience Award™.

Qualifying for the award in 10 categories for assisted living, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village displays a continued dedication to providing Best in Class senior health care services.

By qualifying for the Pinnacle Customer Experience Award™, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has satisfied the rigorous demand of scoring in the top 15% of the nation across a 12-month average on its customer satisfaction surveys.

“Our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values informs everything we do at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village,” said Ginger Nance, executive director. “The Customer Experience Award demonstrates that our residents and their families see the difference living our mission every day makes in the

care we provide.”

Throughout its 28-year history of serving the community, Presbyterian Village has placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that the individual needs of every resident are met. Over the course of 2021, a sampling of Presbyterian Village’s customers and

2022

their families have participated in monthly telephone interviews that include open-ended questions, as well as the opportunity to rate the community in specific categories.

Every month, Presbyterian Village has gathered its real-time survey

results to gain a better understanding of the residents’ needs and make improvements when necessary.

Residents and their families rated the community in the top 15% in activities, communication, demonstrating dignity and respect, dining service, personal care, quality of food, safety and security, variety of food and menu choices, and willingness to recommend to others.

A customer satisfaction measurement firm with 25 years of experience in postacute health care, Pinnacle conducts over 150,000 phone surveys each year and works with more than 2,500 care providers in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information about the independent and supportive environment at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village or to learn how the campus might fit your needs, contact Megan Brillhart, sales and marketing counselor, at 620-2235550 or mbrillhart@pmma.org. 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

2

COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2022

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.

Heart healthy – continued from page 1 pressure and have a toxic effect on the heart. Try to reduce consumption and talk to your doctor to discuss what is healthy for you.

3. Stop smoking or vaping tobacco.

This can damage blood vessels and cause plaque buildup, which can trigger a heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure. Even if you have smoked for years, there are immediate benefits to quitting.

4. Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can have a negative impact on your heart. There are several distractions these days, such as TV and cell phones, that are keeping us up later with screen time.

If you need a little background noise, try turning on a fan or using a sleep sound app. (I use Rainfall.)

stress. More than one quarter of adults 65 years or older are socially isolated, which can lead to a negative impact on health.

7. Care for your teeth. Research has shown that gum disease is associated with heart disease and bacterial infections. Make sure to schedule regular dental appointments and regular cleanings as a way to prevent this.

Change can be hard, but it is OK to start at small. Set a goal, and keep

track of those accomplishments in a journal. If you drink more than two sodas a day, make it a goal to drink one. When you go out to eat, make that better food choice and write it down. If you went to bed a few hours earlier than you normally do, track it! If you did an extra chore or went a little bit further on your walk, tell someone about it! Small victories can be the start to big improvements to your heart health. u

5. Opt for better food choices and lose weight. When given the choice for fried or grilled, fries or salad, soda or water, cake or fruit, what do you pick? Choosing the lighter caloric option can have a big benefit when it comes to your heart. Being overweight or obese can spike your cholesterol levels, your blood sugar, your triglycerides and your blood pressure. All of these factors damage your heart and raise your risk for developing heart disease.

6. Pay attention to mental health and lonely lifestyle. Anxiety and stress are sure ways to raise your blood pressure. Having a support system of friends is a great way to reduce that Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY

3

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

Cold spell leads to a personal pet pillow for Maisie Pearl Earline Foster doesn’t let any of her fabric go to waste.

We have had some terribly cold days that have kept us inside more than usual, but that doesn’t discourage Earline from keeping herself busy. Most days you can find her working on her quilts, but recently she has had some inspiration from Miss Maisie Pearl.

Certified Medical Assistant Denise Morris recently adopted the 9week-old English bulldog and started bringing her in to visit the residents. As the puppy is fond of long naps, Earline thought that Maisie might enjoy a nice cozy pillow to snuggle up on, and boy did she! u

4

COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2022

Earline, an avid quilter, made a sleeping pillow for Maisie to enjoy during her long naps.

Earline likes to snuggle with Maisie when she comes to visit.