Manor of the Plains Community Matters November 2020

Manor of the Plains

NOVEMBER 2020

COVID-19 updates continue Maureen Schlereth —and ‘Dickens’— settle in Moving into a new home in the midst of a global pandemic isn’t exactly an ideal situation, but for Maureen Schlereth and her cat, Dickens, the good has outweighed the bad.

Maureen and Dickens moved into Independent Living back on Aug. 1.

However, due to COVID-19, they had to spend their first two weeks in quarantine. It was a situation that most people would find frustrating and maybe even a bit depressing, but for Maureen, it provided an opportunity to gain a new perspective on life.

Get the latest updates on visitation status, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website, ManorOfThePlains.org/covid-19.

If there is a COVID-19 outbreak (positive COVID-19 test) at your community, your leadership team will contact employees, residents and their designated family representatives via telephone, email or mail with information about the outbreak and the recommendations of the local health department. u

Schlereth continued on page 2

Maureen Schlereth, a new resident in independent living, volunteers her time to organize Manor of the Plains’ extensive library of donated books by genre and then alphabetically.

Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Schlereth continued from page 1 “We’ve been through things like this before and we’ve made it,” said Maureen. “We may not like it, but when we get through, we appreciate being free again— you’ve gotta have the bad sometimes to appreciate the good.”

Unable to explore the community’s interior during quarantine, Maureen spent her time getting to know the people and the surroundings just outside her back door.

married twice and had four children. She received her LPN from Dodge City Community College and worked as a nurse at two nursing homes and as a receptionist at Dodge City Medical Center. In retirement, Maureen has enjoyed spending time with children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Maureen is also an avid reader, preferring “girl stories” with a little romance (but nothing “too graphic.”) It’s that love of reading that has led Maureen to volunteer in the community library where she

organizes the selection and adds new arrivals.

Now finally fully integrated in the community, Maureen says she feels right at home.

“Everyone’s made me feel welcome and I’m very happy here,” said Maureen.

There are immediate openings in independent living. If you’d like to learn more about how to make Manor of the Plains your new home, too, contact Brittany Gladbach, marketing director. u

“I spent a lot of time on my patio, watching the neighborhood walkers go by and visiting with them,” said Maureen.

And she wasn’t the only one.

Dickens also enjoyed having his own fenced in area where he could go out, explore and watch the resident birds and squirrels. In fact, it was that innate desire to explore that initially brought Dickens and Maureen together.

“When he was a kitten, I found him on my doorstep one day. He was covered in sand burs and couldn’t even lay down so I cleaned him up, took him in and he repaid me by being a little Dickens,” said Maureen.

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Before Dickens, Maureen was Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

Community Matters 620-225-1928 ◆ Fax: 620-225-3982 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 ManorOfThePlains.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2020

is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains

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

To submit or suggest articles: bgladbach@PMMA.org John Van Hook, executive director Brittany Gladbach, marketing director

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

Elizabeth Garcia earns nursing license “It’s been my plan to become a nurse since I was in middle school,” said Elizabeth Garcia, RN. Those dreams came true on August 27 when Elizabeth passed the NCLEX, which is the test all nursing students have to take in order to get their nursing license.

Now, she’s official!

“I’ve always wanted to work in a career where I felt I was making a difference or helping people,” said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth has been working at Manor of the Plains for three years.

She was a CNA for one year and then earned her CMA while in nursing school.

When asked what she enjoys most about working at Manor of the Plains, it’s all about the people.

“I like working at Manor of the Plains because I feel like I already had a great relationship will all residents and the workers.”

When she’s not at work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family, including her five-year-old daughter.

Congratulations, Elizabeth! u Elizabeth Garcia, RN

Why is Thanksgiving celebrated with turkey?

Turkey has become the traditional Thanksgiving fare, but did you know that it was at one time a rare treat? During the 1830s, an eight- to tenpound bird cost a day’s wages!

Even though turkeys are much more affordable today, they still remain a celebratory symbol of bounty. In fact, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin ate roast turkey in foil packets for their first meal on the Moon. u Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Free virtual events November 5 and 10 on psychology behind change As Kansans, our weather teaches us that change is inevitable. As we move through life, change is constant. But knowing it’s coming, doesn’t make it any easier.

Short-term discomfort can keep us from reaching our goals if we aren’t willing to take a different approach and change our perspective.

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Join Manor of the Plains in one of two virtual opportunities to explore the Psychology of Change.

Learn how to anticipate change and ways to cope with it in sessions led by counselor, coach and private-practice psychotherapist Jeffrey L. Wilson.

We’ll also delve into the cost of change and discuss methods to demystify it.

events-activities. You’ll receive your own unique link to the presentation and instructions for how to join the event. Don’t wait as seats are extremely limited.

This free virtual event will be offered twice, 2 p.m. on November 5, and again at 5:30 p.m. on November 10.

Choose the time that’s most convenient for you and register online at www.ManorOfThePlains.org/

The Psychology of Change is part of Manor of the Plains’ Just Ask lifelong learning program featuring speakers and topics of interest to seniors and their adult children. u

COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2020