Emporia Community Matters May 2015

Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor

May 2015

Older Americans Month 2015: ‘Get into the Act’ Older adults are a vital part of our society. Since 1963, communities across the country have shown their gratitude by celebrating Older Americans Month each May. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Get into the Act,” to focus on how older adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities, and making a positive impact in the lives of others.

By promoting and engaging in activity, wellness, and inclusivity, more Americans than ever before can “Get into the Act.” While Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica campuses provides quality senior services guided by Christian values to older adults year-round, Older Americans Month offers an opportunity to emphasize how older adults can access the home- and community-based services they need to live independently in their communities. It is also an occasion to highlight how older adults are engaging with and making a difference in those communities.

Throughout the month, Emporia Presbyterian Manor will be conducting activities designed to highlight the contributions of seniors to the greater community.

Are you fit for life?

Emporia Presbyterian Manor hosts free session for seniors Maintaining physical activity is crucial to aging well. As we grow older, the more strength that we lose, the higher our chances of falling. Older adults in the Emporia area are invited to a free fitness screening event May 14, sponsored by Emporia Presbyterian Manor. Presbyterian Manor’s rehabilitation therapy provider, RehabCare, will conduct physical assessments for strength, agility, flexibility and balance.

Staci Freudiger, lead clinical performance specialist with RehabCare will give a brief talk about ways that seniors can keep fit. Fitness level tests will then be available. The Senior Fit Test covers arm and leg strength, flexibility, endurance and balance. The physical therapist will then explain how the person’s results compare to others the same age. After determining individual strengths and needs, the therapist will discuss an activity plan to maintain and improve health.

“Senior Fit for Life” will begin at 2 p.m. May 14 at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, 2300 Industrial Rd. The presentation is free. Please RSVP by May 7 to Marketing Director Ken Hanson at 620-343-2613 or khanson@ pmma.org.

The talk is part of Emporia Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask series, a free, FIT, continued on page 2

Campus website gets a facelift We are proud to announce the release of our newly redesigned website at EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org.

It has been crafted to reflect the wants and needs of our site visitors.

You will immediately notice the streamlined menus, simple navigation and access to the information you need, 24 hours a day.

Three things you’ll love about our new website now: • Homepage - at a glance, you’ll find contact information and direct access to information about our care

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.

EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org

2

Community Matters May 2015

levels and living options.

• Floor plans - you can now view floor plans for independent and assisted living residences online.

• Resources - you’ll find a variety of resources to assist you with researching and deciding on a senior living community.You’ll even discover your next steps to becoming a Emporia Presbyterian Manor resident!

We will be continually expanding our online content to bring you updated and relevant information, so we encourage you to bookmark it and check back often.

Bravo

of the

Month

Start exploring: • Learn about upcoming events and activities on campus.

• Discover tools to help you evaluate senior living communities.

• Read about our residents.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Emporia Presbyterian Manor.

FIT, continued from page 1

ongoing lifelong learning program featuring information from local, regional and national experts on topics of interest to older adults and their families.

Denise Riley Thank you. We have had numerous housekeeping ladies since I have been here, but none compare to Denise. She does a superb job, and this lady is a keeper.

Independent Living apartment available We have a beautiful 902-squarefoot, two-bedroom and two-bath independent living apartment available. For information on this apartment and to learn about our move in incentives please call Ken Hanson at 620-343-2613 or e-mail him at khanson@pmma.org.

Residents build a community garden for all to share Nina Gragg and Jane Schrader are ready to get dirty. The pair have been tending the community garden at Emporia Presbyterian Manor for several years, providing fresh produce for themselves and neighbors throughout the campus all summer long.

“I grew up on a farm, and we always gardened. After I was married, we had a garden spot,” Nina said. “I like to be outdoors, and I like to garden. And it’s very good exercise.”

Shortly after Nina moved to the Presbyterian Manor in the fall of 2007, she noticed an overgrown area that had once been a garden patch.

She asked if she could plant some tomatoes the next spring. “Oh gosh, I just really enjoyed that,” she said.

The next year, her son came and tilled up a larger area. Nina planted vegetables that needed room to vine, like squash. Then, a few years later, Jane moved in, and the two really got growing.

What they can’t eat goes onto the table in the Presbyterian Manor entryway for others to take. Nina said she makes sure to plant extra when she knows someone has a favorite veggie.

In the last couple of years, Sara Samford, dining services director, has joined them as well. Samford has raised herbs and fresh vegetables for use right in the manor kitchen. And now the campus maintenance staff takes care of tilling the ground in the fall.

Now, the 640-square-foot garden brings forth a bounty of tomatoes, onions, squash, cucumbers, asparagus, peppers, spinach, beans, peas, lettuce and radishes. “We planted what we As the first buds came on the trees wanted to plant but we always shared it,” this spring, Nina said she was anxious Jane said.

to get to work, but dutifully waited until the almanac said the time was right. The gardeners say they’re ready to slow down production a bit, however. So they’re beginning to focus on perennial plants like asparagus.

Samford also ordered strawberries and berry bushes that will regenerate.

Jane stepped back a few years ago when her husband passed away. But, she said, returning to the garden was a healing experience.

“It’s good therapy,” she said. “It brought things back to life for me to get back into doing this and having fresh stuff.”

Tulips help grow Good Samaritan Program Colorful paper tulips – each representing a gift to the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care – are adding to the spring decorations at PMMA’s senior living communities. Prior donors received a mailing in April, inviting a gift in honor or tribute to a special woman in their lives. A paper tulip was included.

The tulip may be returned with the gift to the PMMA campus of the donor’s choice. Tulips will be displayed through May. The Good Samaritan Program assists PMMA residents who have run out of funds through no fault of their own. To make a gift and hang a tulip, contact your local PMMA campus.

Emporia Presbyterian Manor

3

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

Coming Up in Community Matters In a future issue of Community Matters, we will be focusing on summer travel.

Were you a summer traveler? Do you have a great vacation story or travel story to tell?

Contact Marketing Director Ken Hanson with your story, you may be selected to share in an upcoming Community Matters.

4

Community Matters May 2015

Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit

EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org

and enter your email address in the newsletter sign-up box.

It’s that easy!