Emporia Community Matters October 2017

Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor

October 2017

“Broomweed by the Gate,” a photograph by Margaret Gunselman.

See additional photo on page 3.

Artist of the Month

We are honored to feature the work of Emporia photographer Margaret Gunselman as our Artist of the Month for October. Please join us at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 for a reception with Margaret in our atrium gallery.

Margaret doesn’t consider herself a professional photographer, but rather a walker. She says she obtains many of her subjects by “being at the right place at the right time.”

Margaret is well known in Emporia for her photography, and she has participated in our annual Art is Ageless® competition. One of her pictures appeared in the 2015 Art is Ageless calendar. We are excited to have her return and display some of her work for the first time in nearly three years.

Residents gathering and eating in the dining room..

New menu items offered

Menu expands to meet special dietary needs Food is one of the top considerations for anyone moving into a continuing care community like Emporia Presbyterian Manor. It’s obviously important that the food is tasty, satisfying and nutritious. But what about residents who have special dietary needs?

Our dining services staff recently added items to the always-available menu that are gluten-free, vegetarian or diabetic-friendly. The additions came as MENU, continued on page 3

Welcome to our new health services director We’re pleased to welcome Leigh Ayers as our new director of health services. Leigh got to know our community while doing clinical practice for her bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program.

“I loved being here. It was a joy to be able to come back week after week and work with the same residents.

It was an incredible learning opportunity,” Leigh said.

Leigh Ayers, Emporia’s new health services director.

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 Crystal Stock, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Crystal Stock, marketing director, cstock@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 September 2017

Leigh joined our team last fall. She took over the HSD position from Deb Thornton, who retired in July.

“I have big shoes to fill,” Leigh said.

“Deb Thornton was an excellent director, and I was fortunate to have her mentor me through the transition process.”

Before she pursued her nursing degree, Leigh had a long career in social services. She worked for a child welfare organization for 17

Celebrating Veterans

years, first in a residential facility for children in State of Kansas custody.

She later worked in human resources and training. When she went back to school for nursing, she worked at her father-in-law’s store, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. In addition to her BSN from Emporia State University, Leigh also holds a bachelor’s degree from ESU in English with an emphasis in journalism, and a master’s of science in management from Baker University.

At Emporia Presbyterian Manor, Leigh said she is focused on keeping our quality standards and ratings high. She also hopes to drive advancement in the state’s PEAK program, which recognizes achievements in person-centered care in adult care homes. Please be sure to give her a warm welcome!

You’re invited to join us Saturday, Nov. 11, for our annual Veterans Day breakfast. It’s very special for us to celebrate this observance in Emporia — the birthplace of Veterans Day itself!

Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. in our main dining room with biscuits and gravy, and gifts of recognition for all of our veterans. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Bryce Heitman, our medical director and an Army veteran, who will talk about the South Lyon County Honor Flight program.

All area veterans, and their spouses, widows and children, are invited to this free event.

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MENU, continued from page 1

a direct result of resident requests, said Emily Prouse, registered dietician at Emporia Presbyterian Manor.

“Knowing that we’re willing to make adjustments for them is a big deal.

We try to make sure they know we’re listening,” Emily said. “We want it to be as homelike as it can be, because we know it’s a huge adjustment.”

Residents can choose to order from the daily menu or choose popular items from the always-available menu.

Some of the new daily items include omelets made to order, a chef salad, fish and chips, a BLT, and a pulled pork sandwich.

For some, going gluten-free or cutting back on dairy may be a personal lifestyle choice. But other residents’ diets are restricted for medical reasons, and the dining services staff tries to accommodate them while still finding foods they can enjoy.

Emily recently worked with a resident who could have only certain types

of softened foods — most of which weren’t especially appealing. So Emily worked with her and her family to find things she could both eat and enjoy. Raw vegetables and toast were out, but they learned certain kinds of meatballs and grilled cheese were OK.

pick a community for their parents,” Johny said. “When they do move in, I notice a majority of family members try to meet with me or the chef or the dietician to follow up. We will go above and beyond to make sure they are happy with what we have to offer.”

“Quality of life is so important,” Emily said. “I understand her side. She says, ‘I want to enjoy what I’ve got.’ So we sat down together and came up with options that work within her restrictions.”

In the 11 years Emily has been at Presbyterian Manor, so much has changed about food service.

When a resident has a dietary request, the dining staff will meet with him or her individually to explore their options, said Johny Patwary, director of dining services. They will consult with family members and physicians to make sure they have accurate information. Johny said his goal is to never say no, and to present residents with answers and resources quickly.

“Food is a big deal with residents’ families when they are trying to

In addition to expanded menus, today’s residents also have more choice about when they eat. No longer are they required to show up during a precise, short window of time. If they’re more likely to eat at a different hour, they’re more likely to stay at a healthy weight. And, Emily said, that’s the priority.

“The meal time thing is a big deal,” Emily said. “Maintaining their weight is so important at this age. Appetite decreases with age. So, one thing I have to do often is tie it back to health and strength.”

ARTIST, continued from page 1

“Indian Summer,” a photograph by Margaret Gunselman.

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Tell your holiday stories We will feature Christmas in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story about Christmas, whether a favorite tradition or a memorable holiday celebration, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story.

If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Crystal Stock, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Community Matters September 2017

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