Emporia Community Matters July 2015

Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor

July 2015

New giving option now available Your old vehicle could help “drive” the Good Samaritan Program at a Presbyterian Manor senior living community of your choice.

You can donate your car, truck, boat or other unneeded vehicle through PMMA’s new vehicle donation program. When you call the toll-free number, we’ll arrange to pick up the vehicle, even if it’s not running.You will need to provide your vehicle’s title with the vehicle. Its sale price is then tax deductible.You can consult IRS Publication 526 to help you figure its current value.

To make your vehicle donation or for more information, call toll free, seven days a week, at 844-490-GIVE (4483), or go to EmporiaPresbManorCarDonations.org and choose “Donate Now” to access the online form.

Vehicles need to be intact and in towable condition. Exceptions to the program are vehicles whose value would not offset the cost of towing.

The PMMA Good Samaritan Program provides financial assistance to residents at any of the 18 communities, who exhaust their CARS, continued on page 2

Welcome our new HR director If Crystal Holly was expecting a nice, quiet work environment at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, she quickly learned that wouldn’t be the case. Not that she’s disappointed.

Crystal joined the leadership team as human resource director in March.

A 2011 graduate of Emporia State University, she previously worked for a staffing agency and a factory warehouse.

“It’s not what people would picture as working in senior living,” Crystal said. “With all the employees it’s a lot of fun. They keep the residents busy and do their best to keep everybody happy. With the amount of activities they have going all the time, it never ceases to amaze me that they can pull WELCOME, continued on page 2

CARS, continued from page 1

WELCOME, continued from page 1

funds through no fault of their own. off everything.”

Thank you for considering a gift In her new role, Crystal handles to help our residents who have a human resource duties such as financial need. orientation and benefit coordination for a staff of about 130 people.

She’s also there to help them solve problems, serve as a resource in times of need, and listen to their suggestions for workplace improvements.

“You get to listen to everyone’s ideas and figure out how to make it work or make changes, and make everybody happy,” Crystal said. “That’s what I like about this job – I get to work with people and figure out what I can do

Community Matters 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.

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.

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Community Matters July 2015

for them.”

Long term, Crystal has her sights set on a legal career. Ever since she was a child growing up in Johnson County, she said, she always wanted to be an attorney. Once in school, she discovered that corporate law appealed to her the most. To that end, Crystal is continuing with graduate studies in business administration and political science at Emporia State.

On top of all that, Crystal and her husband, Nevik Stock, are the parents of three young children. So spare time is family time at their house. “We’re busy with them all the time.”

Bravo

of the

Month

Marsha Persinger Thank you for going up and beyond your normal daily duties, helping nursing staff with laundry and keeping our community clean.

Jamie LeClear, Ashley Minor and Lindsey Allen

Ready to make a move?

Apartments available at Presbyterian Manor If you’re tired of spending time on home maintenance and are ready to enjoy life, consider a move to Emporia Presbyterian Manor.

On our campus, there are two beautiful one-bedroom apartments available. These comfortable apartments are 574 square feet and have beautiful views of our scenic environment. For information, call Ken Hanson at 620-343-2613.

Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America

Resident Survey Across all levels of living, residents report positive relationships with staff and would recommend Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA) to a friend.

The PMMA resident survey is a proud 11-year tradition that shows our commitment to resident input from PMMA communities in Kansas and Missouri. As we examine the survey results, it is important to thank YOU — our residents — for giving your opinions.

Because of you, our mission is an important part of every day.

Quality of life: challenge accepted Assisted living resident responses about lifestyle and care:

4.15 4.37 4.38 4.34

staff provides opportunities to try new activities staff communicates with me about my care staff respects my privacy staff understands me

out of 5

Quality care: mission possible Health care resident responses about nursing staff:

4.32 4.23 4.21 4.15

staff is caring and courteous to me staff is responsive to health concerns staff caring for me is competent staff follows my personalized care plan

out of 5

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New resident surveys campus + apartment Independent living residents across the board report the overall appearance of their home and campus is pleasing.

say hospitality is important. The new residents participating gave PMMA a 4.49 out of 5 on “I felt welcomed upon entrance to the community.”

I am able to maintain the lifestyle of my choice. » 4.34 out of 5

I am satisfied with the variety of activities available. » 4.25 out of 5

I have a sense of belonging in my community. » 4.29 out of 5

I know environmental services meets my needs. » 4.37 out of 5

I feel safe and secure. » 4.59 out of 5 4

Community Matters July 2015

Safety Matters Throughout all communities,

PMMA residents feel safe and secure.

It was one of the highest rated questions.

How sharing a life story helps dementia caregivers

By Mike Good

One day while I was volunteering at a local adult day service, we had a new visitor who was confused and very unhappy that her daughter had left her there with us. She was agitated and was trying to leave.

Luckily, when they first arrived, her daughter had handed us a one-page life story about her mother who had dementia. After reading it, I was able to more easily connect with the lady.

Sharing your knowledge As we discussed her career as a teacher, her agitation slipped away and we ended up having a very nice conversation. Without that knowledge, things would have been more difficult for both of us.

If you’re the primary caregiver of a person with dementia, you know your loved one’s likes and dislikes.You can read their moods.You know their routines and the people in their world.

Nobody can care for them the same way you do.

The act of sharing your loved one’s life story empowers others to better understand his or her traits, to connect and to provide better care. In turn, you receive peace of mind when you take time for yourself.

A different reality The reality of a person with dementia often slips into a past era of their life.

For instance, it may be typical for the person to prepare for work each morning as they did for many years.

Or they might start preparing to send their children off to school although their kids are fully grown and have left the nest.

When the people around them don’t understand this different reality, they

often struggle to accept what seems like strange behavior. They may even try to correct the person and get in the way of their routine. This type of intervention generally causes the person with dementia to become further confused and agitated.

When caregivers look at the whole person and his or her experiences, they can plan activities that take into account interests, values and traditions while avoiding ones that may lead to confusion and agitation.

For instance, many people celebrate Easter and enjoy watching children hunt for eggs. But to a person who has In addition to living in the past, at never celebrated Easter, associating some point, the person with dementia a rabbit with eggs — and adding in a will likely lose their ability to start silly person dressed as a giant bunny and hold a conversation. This loss of — could very well seem odd and communication, coupled with living in confusing. a different reality, puts them at further The United Kingdom’s Alzheimer’s risk for becoming isolated in their Society recommends families create own world. life history books with their loved However, when those around them ones. Not only does this create an know their life story, values and enriching activity for the family, but quirks, they can more easily join the book can later be used to inform them in their reality. This flexible anyone who may be caring for the companionship generally results in a individual. more peaceful experience with fewer While short-term memories are often negative behavioral issues. lost early in Alzheimer’s disease, a Know a dementia patient’s story person’s long-term memories and sense for who they are as a person One of the points from the Best can exist throughout the entire Friends Dementia Bill of Rights is disease. Accessing their memories and that patients deserve “to be with embracing their reality and character individuals who know one’s life is an important part of enriching the story, including cultural and spiritual traditions. “ STORY, continued on page 6 Losing the ability to converse

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

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Coming up in Community Matters In an upcoming Community Matters, we’ll be focusing on senior safety, fall prevention and Grandparents’ Day. How do you keep your balance? What have you found to be most helpful in aging strong and avoiding injuries as you age? What’s your favorite thing about being a grandparent or great-grandparent? What wisdom do you want to pass along to the next generation?

If you’d like to share your thoughts or memories, contact Marketing Director Ken Hanson and your story may be selected for inclusion in an upcoming Community Matters newsletter.

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STORY, continued from page 1

life of a person with dementia.

So while it may not be possible to ensure the person with dementia is always around people who understand them, it is possible to empower the caregivers by documenting the person’s story and sharing it.

Have you written your loved one’s story? Please share with us how you use it to improve their care.

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