Emporia Community Matters - February 2015

Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor

February 2015

Emerald Awards Program honors Presbyterian Manor Emporia Presbyterian Manor received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica for reaching goals in fiscal year 2014, July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014.

The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 18 locations to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards.

To receive an emerald, a campus has to meet its goals in all 11 areas.

Certificates of recognition were given out to campuses that reached their goals in one or more category.

Emporia was recognized for achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

“This recognition is a visible sign of Emporia Presbyterian Manor’s commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer for PMMA. HONOR, continued on page 4

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Take hold of your health

10 things to bring to every doctor’s appointment

By Leana Wen, M.D. for Next Avenue

As an emergency physician, I see patients every day who have forgotten

to bring something critical to their appointments. That’s understandable when you face an unplanned emergency situation, but not when you’ve had time to prepare for, say, an annual checkup or a follow-up visit with a specialist.

Whatever the situation, I suggest there are 10 things you should always take with you, even if you don’t end up needing them all. Here they are, based on guidance I share in my new book, “When Doctors Don’t Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests.”

1. Medical History Card

Ideally, your doctor will have your complete medical history on file, but this is not always the case, especially if you’re seeing a new specialist, an emergency physician or someone covering for your usual doctor. So make sure you always bring along a record of your key information, including medical conditions, dates of past surgeries, current medications, doctors’ names and contact information, next of kin and contact information, HEALTH, continued on page 3

Make the most of your medications Ever wondered how your vitamins and medications are working together for you? Emporia Presbyterian Manor will host a presentation by Amber Haag, pharmacist with the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, at 2 p.m. Feb. 25.

Amber will discuss medications, supplements and vitamins and how they work together or against each other in “Making the Most of Your Medications.” The presentation is part of Emporia Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask series, a free, ongoing lifelong learning program featuring information from local, regional and national experts on topics of interest to older adults and their families.

For more information, contact Ken Hanson at 620-343-2613 or khanson@pmma.org.

Artist of the Month

The Artist of the Month for February is Gloria Stewart.

Gloria specializes in oil paintings. Her reception will be on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Residents of the Year Community Matters

Every year, residents vote to recognize their peers as residents of the year.

And the results are in!

is published monthly for residents and friends of Emporia Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

The winners for 2014 are Barbara Gilkison, Marie Hill, Kass Hollar and Martha Roniger. Sadly, Martha passed away a few days before the awards were announced; her son accepted on her behalf.

Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Ken Hanson, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Ken Hanson, marketing director, khanson@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-343-2613 Fax: 620-343-9195 Address: 2300 Industrial Rd., Emporia, KS 66801-6636 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org

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Community Matters February 2015

The Bravo of the Month goes to...

The Christmas Lunch Crew

We’d like to extend a special “thank you” to the Christmas Lunch Crew.

They served the food quickly and with respect and dignity. Even when they had large groups come in unexpectedly, they served them quickly as well.

Thanks again!

HEALTH, continued from page 1

health insurance and any drug allergies.You can create a card on your computer or visit a website like MedIDs.com, which offers free templates that you can fill in and print out. Once you have a card,

laminate it and keep it in your wallet or handbag so you’ll have it with you wherever you go.

2. Changes to Medical Records If you’ve received any new test results since your last visit, bring them with you, even if you believe your doctor has already seen a report. Having this information on hand at your appointment ensures that you’ll remember to discuss it with your physician. This is particularly important if you are seeing a new doctor or specialist.

Current test results will help them get the most complete picture of your health, speed up diagnosis and reduce the need for additional or redundant testing that could carry unnecessary side effects.

3. Your Prescription Drugs Too often, patients tell doctors they don’t remember the name or prescribed dosage of their medications. Before you leave home, gather all your medications and put them in a zip-lock bag. Tell your doctor if you’ve stopped taking any prescribed drugs or haven’t followed dosage instructions. If you mislead doctors about prescription compliance, they may assume your medications are not working and prescribe more.

4. List of Alternative Therapies Doctors know that a majority of patients today may be employing some type of alternative therapy.

It doesn’t benefit either one of you to keep it a secret. It’s useful

for them to know what you’re doing, especially if there may be potentially harmful interactions with other medications. Bring a list of any supplements, vitamins or herbal remedies you’re using, as well as a record of visits to any chiropractors or other practitioners.

5. Journal of Your Symptoms If your visit is related to a new concern, you should be keeping a journal that documents your discomfort and how it has affected your daily life in the days or weeks since it began. If your appointment is focused on a chronic condition, your doctor may have asked you to keep track of your response to new at-home treatments; to record objective measures, like your blood sugar;. Whatever the information, bringing the journal to your appointment can help your doctor better understand what has been going on.

6. List of Questions You should expect your physicians to be responsive to your concerns, but you need to do your part as well. Always come to an appointment with a list of questions prepared in advance. Brainstorm your questions well before your visit, then jot down a concise list, arranged in order from most to least urgent. And don’t leave your doctor’s office without asking them.

7. Notebook and Pen This may seem obvious, but it’s important to take notes throughout an office visit. If your doctor mentions an unfamiliar term, get him to spell it out. Don’t hesitate to push for clarifications. At the end of every visit, request a verbal summary and write it down.

8. Friend or Family Member Having someone with you can provide crucial moral support.

But it’s also a valuable means of ensuring that your doctor addresses your most important questions. A friend or relative may not be able to sit in during the physical exam, but he or she should be welcome when you and your doctor discuss diagnosis, testing or treatment.

That’s when a companion can remind you of your primary questions and concerns, act as your advocate if you’re not satisfied with the answers and take notes so they can help you follow through on the next necessary steps after an appointment.

9. Your Smartphone There is always some downtime during an office visit. Use it to look up more information about what your doctor has told you from trusted resources like the National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus.

It’s also useful to have your phone on hand if it carries your calendar so you can schedule follow-up visits and screenings. (And, of course, games, emails and websites can distract you from boredom if your wait is particularly long!)

10. Snacks Food options at a doctor’s office or clinic are typically limited (or nonexistent), and you may end up being there for some time, perhaps missing lunch or dinner. Unless you’ve been told not to eat because of a scheduled test or screening, be sure to pack a healthy snack so you can maintain your energy and mood. It will make your visit more productive.

Copyright© 2014 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television Inc. Emporia Presbyterian Manor

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Employees honored during Christmas party Activities Assistant Deborah Storrer was named Employee of the Year at the annual Employee and Resident Christmas Party. Congratulations, Deborah!

In addition to the Employee of the Year, these employees were recognized for milestone anniversaries.

• 5 years: Maria Lane, social worker, and Jenny Lee-Hullett, cook

• 15 years: Joyce Madore, registered nurse

• 20 years: Paula Hedberg, MDS coordinator

We appreciate their many years of dedication and service.

From left, PMMA CEO Bruce Shogren, Emporia Executive Director Susan Siepelmeier and PMMA COO Doug Yoder.

HONOR, continued from page 1

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica is celebrating 65 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri.

For more information about Emporia Presbyterian Manor, contact Marketing Director Ken Hanson at 620-343-2613 or khanson@pmma.org.

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Community Matters February 2015

Emporia Presbyterian Manor will be hosting this Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce event featuring State Representatives Don Hill and Peggy Mast, along with State Senator Jeff Longbine. This is your opportunity to ask questions about issues facing the state legislature. The doors will open at 8 a.m. with a Q&A session beginning at 8:30 a.m.

New community arises from growing senior needs This month, we continue to look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan. This month, we continue our look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan.

the project. Dr. Robert Meneilly steered a committee of local and church leaders in the “Building for Our Future” campaign for Aberdeen Village.

In 1996, Presbyterians in Johnson County were convinced there was a need for a new Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus in the Greater Kansas City area, and specifically in Johnson County. At the time, there were no Christian-based nonprofit senior living communities offering the full continuum of care in Johnson County.

The project included a threestory building for 90 independent living apartments, 44 assisted living suites in a twostory building, and a 60-bed health care center with 15 spaces reserved for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

A 37-acre tract of land just east of West 119th Street and Ridgeview Road in Olathe was donated for

Construction began in 1999.

Aberdeen Village opened its doors in May 2001 as the 17th campus for Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica.

“Be of Good Cheer” committee members honoring the work of Dr. Bob Meneilly.

Construction is underway on Aberdeen Village.

Coming Up in Community Matters Community Matters will be looking forward to the change in seasons to spring and preparing to celebrate Easter. We’re looking for residents with a story to tell.

What’s your favorite March Madness memory?

Who’s your favorite baseball team? Why? What’s your favorite baseball memory?

What does spring mean to you? What do you remember about spring as a child or adult?

What’s your favorite Easter memory?

If you have a story to tell, contact Marketing Director Ken Hanson to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.

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Emporia Presbyterian Manor 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 Return Service Requested

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Community Matters February 2015