Fort Scott Community Matters July 2020

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

JULY 2020

Training helps keep resident safety and health first The leadership and staff of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village have worked diligently to put resident care and safety at the forefront of our mission.

Along with additional safety precautions in our daily operations, we’ve worked to ensure everyone understands what they can do individually to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Recently, Director of Assisted Living Ellen Fairchild provided instruction to the COVID Ready Task Force. She demonstrated the proper way to put on and take off Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Education is one of the best measures to keeping everyone safe and healthy. We care about all of our residents, and every day we consider how we can provide the highest level of care in order to protect everyone’s health. u

COVID-19 updates continue As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership.

PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org/ covid-19. Get the latest information

about visitation and restrictions on deliveries and learn more about PMMA’s infection control efforts to contain COVID-19 across the PMMA system. u

Ellen Fairchild, assisted living director, demonstrates the proper way to put on and take off Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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For CMA Evan Winder, managing The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the need to effectively manage stress during something as frightful as a global pandemic.

Everyone manages stress differently, just as individuals’ reaction to the pandemic has varied. The CDC recommends the following tools to cope with heightened stress:

stress means it’s time to go fishing Evan Winder’s work as a certified medication aide (CMA) at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has been more stressful lately due to additional safety measures put in place to protect against the spread of COVID-19. When it’s time to unwind from a long, stressful week at work, Evan knows exactly what she needs to do: Go fish.

“I’ve been fishing since I was about 13 years old,” Evan said.

“My husband and I do it quite often. I like to fish for bass the most.”

Earlier this spring, however, it was giant spoonbills gathering for spawning season that tugged at her attention and her fishing line. While fishing from a boat in the Neosho River, Evan landed a 52.5-pound spoonbill.

“It put up a good fight,” she remembered. “My arms were killing me when I was done. It was the workout of a lifetime.”

The chance to spend a little time on the water with a fishing pole in hand is a good way to escape from the challenges of the work week.

• Take care of yourself, your family, and your community.

Evan Winder holds up the 52.5-pound spoonbill she recently caught. Fishing helps Evan de-stress from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You have to do things completely differently,” Evan said. “Things like remembering to take on and off your mask, remembering not to touch your face, and not touching things you don’t have to touch.”

Fishing, however, provides a respite from the care that’s required when helping residents stay safe and healthy. It’s outdoors in the open air and provides an opportunity to focus on the goal in front of her — catching more fish.

A bonus from her fishing trips is that her co-workers get to share in the rewards. With a 50-plus pound Spoonbill, there was a lot of fresh fish to share with others.

“I brought some to my co-workers, and they all thought it was really good,” Evan said.

“I grilled mine on the grill, but two ladies from the kitchen fried theirs, and they really enjoyed it.”

The Presbyterian Village offers a beautiful pond and covered patio area for our residents to de-stress by just sitting in the porch swing on a beautiful evening watching the birds, feeling a gentle breeze, engaging in their own fishing hobby in our well stocked pond, gardening and pruning the abundant flowers and vegetables planted, or simply enjoying a nice conversation with other residents while maintaining the 6 foot social distance among nature and fresh air. There is nothing better for all ages for our mental health than getting fresh air and nature to refresh our spirit! u

• Take breaks from consuming news and information. Hearing about bad news repeatedly can be upsetting.

• Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.

• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

• Exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.

• Make time to unwind and enjoy activities you enjoy.

• Connect with others and talk about how you’re feeling.

• Understand that it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions and to feel fear and worry about yourself or loved ones.

• It’s important during times of crisis to take heed of your thoughts and work to understand and process them. Never hesitate to visit with any of our staff to help you work through any of the worry or anxiety you may have. u

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FORT SCOTT Presbyterian Village

A PMMA COMMUNITY

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

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020

Community Matters 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: rkellum@pmma.org Ginger Nance, executive director Becky Kellum, marketing director

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

Hallway games provide opportunity for residents to hone their skills Thanks for playing along! We look forward to more days of fun activities ahead. u

During this time of restricted access due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our residents are still having a good time with hallway and in-room activities.

One such activity is the Frisbee toss, which we hold in the hallway. Our star player is Jerry Elliot, who turns out to be a pro.

Collene Lockwood enjoys the Frisbee toss in the hallway.

Alberta Coe enjoying in room activities. Jerry Elliott demonstrates his prowess at the Frisbee toss.

She had a wonderful time.

Wichita State offers free classes for seniors Wichita State University is making its lifelong learning courses available for free to all Kansas residents ages 60 and older.

You must be enrolled by Sept. 11 to qualify for this free learning opportunity.

Classes are offered in person at the WSU Metropolitan Complex located at 5015 E. 29th Street North, Wichita, Kan. Class sizes could be limited to accommodate social distancing.

Online classes will be available on YouTube. Students who select

online classes will receive a link each week to view the class on the device of their choice at a time that is convenient for them.

Select any or all of the following classes: • The Geology of Natural Disasters • Introduction to Meteorology • History in Film • Kansas and World War II • The Stories of Kansas Pioneer Women • How to Listen to Jazz • Shakespeare II • National Politics • Preserving Family Treasures

• From Prohibition to Populism • Cardio Dance and WellRep Classes For additional information and details, including course descriptions, read the fall Lifelong Learning brochure at wichita.edu/lifelonglearning. You may also call 316-978-3731 or email lifelonglearning@wichita.edu. u

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FORT SCOTT Presbyterian Village A PMMA COMMUNITY

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

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided

by Christian values.

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

Celebrating our independence On July 4, Americans celebrate the liberty and freedoms we enjoy under the experiment of self-governance. It’s easy to forget what a radical concept this would’ve been in 1776 — yet it has endured for more than 200 years.

Make this Fourth of July memorable by counting your blessings and truly appreciating your freedom. – Unknown “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” – Voltaire “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” – Thomas Jefferson “Freedom lies in being bold.” – Robert Frost “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln. u

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020