Topeka Community Matters - December 2022

Topeka Presbyterian Manor

“Tis the Season”

By Robert Giffin, Chaplain DECEMBER 2022

Introducing Thomas Garvin Thomas Garvin assumed the position of Cura Hospitality director of dining services in October, but his enjoyment in feeding people goes way back.

“It’s something I love to do, so I started to take it on as a profession,” he said.

Thomas, who is a native of the Topeka area, has experience working as a dietary director in other senior living communities as well as a restaurant manager.

“I enjoy interacting with people and seeing the satisfaction they get from a good meal or an event that goes well,” he said. “I know a core thing everyone looks forward to is a good breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“I want it to be a pleasant experience every time someone picks up a fork or a spoon.”

Thomas Garvin

As the dining services director, Thomas leads a staff of 23. His goals include bringing consistency and leadership to his new role.

Part of that is pitching in when the situation calls for it.

“What’s important in this job is having someone who not only has experience, but will step in when needed,” he said.

In his free time, Thomas enjoys a round of golf. He describes himself as family-oriented, and spends a lot of his free time coaching the basketball,

Garvin – continued on page 2

Christmas gifts, trees, décor, shopping, love, peace, joy, hope, family, friends, Santa, “White Christmas”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Ernest Saves Christmas”, “Jingle Bells”, “Chestnuts Roasting on Robert Giffin an Open Fire”, white chocolate covered pretzels, ham, eggnog, and a partridge in a pear tree! Wowser!

Tis the season when our lives go from busy to busier.

In the midst of our busy lives, let us be reminded that ‘tis the season of “Advent.” The term “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus which means “coming.”

Advent is about the “coming” of Christ. Hundreds of years beforehand, the Prophet Isaiah foretold that he would: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6, NIV).

CHRISTmas is Jesus!

Jesus truly is the reason for the season of Christmas. On the

Chaplain -continued on page 2

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

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Chaplain – continued from page 1 Christian calendar, the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day mark the season of Advent.

They serve to remind us of the wonderful gifts of hope, peace, joy and love we have received from Jesus. And we, in turn, are to share those gifts with others. The season of Advent is a sweet opportunity to treat others the way you’d like to be treated. Here’s some ways to do that which will cost you little, if anything, but will be of immeasurable value: • Call a friend you haven’t spoken with recently • Visit a neighbor who lives alone • Deliver a meal or a dessert to someone – make it a “May Day” gift in December!

• Make a contribution of time, food, clothing or money to one of your local charities • Say a prayer for a different

person each day • Give a random act of kindness – a sincere compliment, an encouraging note…

Plan to do it. First, make yourself a note, put an alert on your phone, do whatever it takes to remind you to be a blessing to someone else. Be spontaneous too. Look around for unplanned opportunities right in front of you to share hope, peace, joy and love with others. You’ll see them in the grocery line with the cashier who’s been on their feet all day; at the convenience store with the clerk who is perhaps working a second job to make ends meet; at a school where the custodian feels obscure; next door or across the hall – just look around and you’ll see many opportunities to share hope, peace, love, and joy. Second, do it. Tis the season! u

Garvin – continued from page 1 baseball and football teams his 9year-old son plays for.

Thomas also enjoys preparing food outside of work and “handles a mean grill,” often to cook ribs.

I call myself,” he said.

Thomas says he’s looking forward to the challenges of his new role.

“I appreciate the opportunity to show my abilities and lead a team,” he said. u

“I’m a grill-ologist — that’s what Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

Community Matters 785-272-6510 ◆ Fax: 785-272-0496 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 TopekaPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2022

is published monthly for residents and friends of Topeka Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: dloftin@pmma.org Christie Patrick, executive director Danica Loftin, marketing director

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

Angel Tree supports local seniors in need You make it possible for residents to remain in their home through the Good Samaritan Program.

To make a contribution, please visit the front desk or go online to

giving.presbyterianmanors.org/ angel-tree-campaign. In recognition of your generosity, we will hang an ornament in your honor on our community’s Angel Tree. u

Today, more than 345 PMMA residents depend on PMMA’s Good Samaritan Program. The program provides funding to assist residents who outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own, and we’re proud that no person has ever been asked to leave one of our communities based on their inability to pay.

To help provide peace of mind to seniors in need, please consider making a gift to Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s annual Angle Tree campaign. Every gift raised supports PMMA residents who can no longer afford care and services.

Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Topeka Presbyterian Manor shares customer service survey responses Topeka Presbyterian Manor continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys. Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight.

The graphic highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between August 2021 and September 2022, Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents and

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2022

their families gave the community high scores for demonstrating dignity and respect, providing safety and security, for cleanliness, and personal care.

“They have been very responsive with anything I have asked,” said one resident. “I appreciate that everything has been accommodating.”

We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted

by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u