Lawrence Community Matters July 2021

Lawrence Presbyterian Manor

JULY 2021

Employee Spotlight: Kim Bond, director of nursing

We are “AHA” people in the Lord!

How long have you been with Lawrence Presbyterian Manor?

I transferred from Aberdeen Village to Lawrence Presbyterian Manor March 1, 2021. I have worked for PMMA on and off since 1999.

By Dinah Dutta, Chaplain

I led a Bible study using the book “Joyfully Aging” by Richard Bimler. He gave himself the title, Ambassador of Health, Hope, and Aging or AH-HA(sic). He wrote, “All believers in Christ are AHA people,” because the resurrection of Christ is the biggest “aha” of all.

Can you describe the work and responsibilities in your role as director of nursing?

This position wears many hats. All of them are related to making sure the residents and staff are well cared for all while adhering to all the policies.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Knowing we have a positive impact on our resident’s daily life/routine.

Editor’s Note: This is a guest column from the chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we will be periodically sharing columns from our community chaplains in your Community Matters newsletter.

Kim Bond

Can you talk about the parts of your work that really make an impression on you?

I have now had the opportunity to work at three different PMMA communities. Although each is unique, the mission of the organization and allowing residents to live their lives the way they choose has been very evident at each of them.

What motivated you to work in nursing? What keeps you energized in this work?

I’m a caregiver at heart. Choosing nursing was just a natural fit for me.

Although I perform many of the same tasks daily, every day is truly different and provides a new learning opportunity.

SPOTLIGHT – continued on page 2

We hear so much about how to care for our physical health, which is very important. Unfortunately, our society has convinced people that after a certain age, people lose their significance and purpose in life. However, when I think of spiritual or physical health these days, I think of my relationship not only with God but also the relationships we have with each other as a community of PMMA. Here at Presbyterian Manor, many of our residents have a long life.

When I visit them, I learn that their faith in Christ is the key to their longevity.

AHA – continued on page 2

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

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SPOTLIGHT – continued from page 1 Can you talk about some of the challenges you faced during the pandemic?

It’s just been a time of uncertainty and many health care workers have had the added stress of wanting to take care of our residents but not endangering our families by possibly exposing them. Staffing has been a real challenge for most communities, and everyone has had to pitch in and work as a team more than ever. For the nursing team specifically, the staff is tired but still putting all they have into providing good care each day. I’m proud to be able to work side by side with this team.

Can you talk about the employees you work with and how they approach their work?

All the employees at the Lawrence community work each day with the residents’ best interests in mind. You can walk through and see so many of the staff (in every department, including the administrator) pitching in and doing little extra things for the residents every day. It’s a true picture of teamwork here at LPM. Tell me a little about yourself — family, hobbies, interests, how you spend spare time?

I love to read and enjoy traveling,

especially to those little hidden-away gems off the beaten path. I’m hoping to start being able to get out there more again soon. I love spending time with my children and grandchildren.

My youngest son is doing his best to inspire me to appreciate the art of bass fishing, but I much prefer watching him fish while I sit in the sun and read a good book. u

AHA – continued from page 1 Recently, during a memorial service for one of our residents, Rev. Henry shared how strong roots are important for a plant to grow. He shared that being rooted in faith is as important as the roots of the plant for us to live and grow as well. His message stuck in my head.

Yes, when we are rooted in Christ, trusting Him and His promises, our physical and spiritual health remains strong.

My dear PMMA family, as we focus on our wellness without being anxious about growing old or aging, I want to invite you to join me to focus on these simple things Bilmer shared in his book and age JOYFULLY. “1. Thank the Lord daily for life itself. Thank the Lord for the open roads as well as the detours. “ 2. Remember our baptism. We are redeemed in Christ. “ 3. Spend time with people. Talk to them. Listen to them. Share your life experiences.

“4. Bring encouraging words to younger and older people every day.

Be an encourager to all.”

Dear ones, most importantly let us continue to stay alive in Christ!

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). u

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Community Matters 785-841-4262 ◆ Fax: 785-841-0923 1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 LawrencePresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2021

is published monthly for residents and friends of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: cpatrick@pmma.org.

Christie Patrick, executive director

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

Home looks familiar to resident Gini Shoulberg For resident Gini Shoulberg, the move to Lawrence Presbyterian Manor took a bit of time, but it didn’t require much of a drive.

“My house was in Lawrence, right down the hill, less than three minutes from here,” Gini said. “I’m basically in the same neighborhood.”

She left her home of 44 years last November “in the middle of the pandemic.” It took nearly two years for her to make the move after first visiting her future home at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

“I came in and took a look at it and fell in love with it,” Gini said. “I had to get the house taken apart and sold to get here, and they got my new place empty and renovated — they replaced everything. I walked into a brand-new house.”

Gini shared her former home with her husband, Don, who passed away in 2013, which was the year she retired from teaching. They met in Durham, N.C., where Gini was teaching and Don was finishing his degree at Duke University.

“Back in the ’60s, I was a nun and he was a priest,” Gini said. “He was studying at Duke and I was teaching Junior High. When he finished his degree, it was time for him to move on. He was going to move to a parish and work with couples and families.

He went to Houston for an internship, and I was still teaching — and we realized something essential was missing from our lives.”

Don and Gini later moved to Lawrence, where he worked for the Watkins Hospital at KU, the Menninger Foundation, and in private practice. Gini continued

Gini Shoulberg loves her new home at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

teaching for another 50 years. For the last 30, she taught first grade.

“As my kids got to junior high, I said I didn’t want to live this age day and night,” Gini said.

Gini and Don have three children and six grandchildren. Three grandchildren graduated from high school together this year.

“My daughter couldn’t get pregnant, so they tried to adopt,” Gini said.

“When she went to get the baby right after it was born, she found out she was pregnant with twins!”

After settling in at her new home, Gini has found plenty of ways to keep herself busy. She’s a hospice volunteer and handles weddings and counts collections for her church.

She’s also a member of the Secular Franciscans, a group dedicated to living a simple and humble life built around living the Gospel.

She also enjoys playing bridge and watching movies and plays.

“I’m interested in the Lawrence

theater getting up again,” Gini said. “’Les Misérables’ is my absolute favorite. Another is Shadowlands — Anthony Hopkins played C.S. Lewis in that one. I remember loving it so much, my son gave it to me one birthday.”

Gini said she feels quite at home at Presbyterian Manor — something that’s clear to her friends.

“A friend walked in and said, ‘I can see you’re very much at home here,’” Gini said. “I wanted things set up to be warm and cozy. I kept up a lot of my life before I moved here, so I’m out a lot. I’ve also met a lot of people here, and they’re so kind and welcoming. They’re very caring. I’ll walk in the dining room, and I don’t know everyone so well, but they’ll say, ‘Come here and sit.’ It just feels good.”

For more information about becoming an independent living resident at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, contact our sales office at 785-841-4262. u

Lawrence Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Long-term care insurance benefits focus of free virtual event It might be hard to imagine, but chances are you’ll need some form of help taking care of yourself later in life. As the costs of receiving care continue to increase, it’s important to account for this possibility in any long-term financial plan.

Lawrence Presbyterian Manor will host a free virtual information session, Understanding Long-Term Care Benefits, at 10 a.m. Wednesday July 7.

Like any insurance purchase, there are a lot of factors to consider. Do I need long-term care insurance? How does it work? What will long-term care insurance cover? What does long-term care insurance cost?

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2021

When should I purchase long-term care insurance? Will I qualify for long-term care insurance? When would I be eligible to start using my long-term care insurance benefits?

Get the answers to these questions and more from Houston Sober, an agent with Farmers Insurance. Sober will provide information about long-term care insurance and answer your questions.

Understanding Long-Term Care

Benefits is part of Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask lifelong learning program featuring speakers and topics of interest to seniors and their adult children.

Register online at: LawrencePresbyterianManor.org/events-activities by July 5 or contact Jenni Jones at 785-841-4262 or jjones@pmma.org.

You will receive a unique link to join the virtual presentation.u