Farmington Presbyterian Manor
FEBRUARY 2021
Virtual event series with The Alzheimer’s Association kicks-off on February 17
Farmington and Rolla Presbyterian Manors are joining forces to partner with The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri Chapter to host a virtual event series throughout 2021. The series is part of Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask Lifelong Learning program offering events that cover informative topics in categories such as Property & Planning, Health & Wellness and General Education of interest to older adults and their children. The Just Ask program was born out of PMMA’s desire to be a trusted resource in senior living. “We are here to serve our residents—but we’re also here to help members of the broader community who may have questions about senior living and senior-related issues. This past year has presented many challenges with one being the ability to host on-site educational events. It made sense to partner with an organization like the Alzheimer’s Association EVENT - continued on page 2
Staff spotlight: Wes Bell This month, we’re putting the spotlight on Wes Bell, a member of our skilled nursing staff for nearly two years and a recipient of the Emily Huff-Gantner Memorial Scholarship. What inspired you to go into nursing? I was a machine gunner in the United States Marine Corps, but I always loved medicine, and working in nursing is my way of forgiving myself for participating in war as well as doing something I love. BELL - continued on page 2
Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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to continue offering resources like live, virtual webinars,” said Jennifer McClanahand, senior regional director of sales and marketing for PMMA. According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, 50 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease but an overall term that describes a group of symptoms. The first virtual event, “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” will kick off on February 17 at 3 p.m. through the Zoom online meeting platform. The series will continue on the third Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. through November 2021 with special recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness month.
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What do you enjoy about working at Farmington Presbyterian Manor? I really enjoy talking with the residents here, they have so many stories and so much wisdom.
Details of the concluding event will be announced by mid-summer. Here is a complete list of upcoming dates and topics: February 17 at 3 p.m. – Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia March 17 at 3 p.m. – 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s April 21 at 3 p.m. – Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research May 19 at 3 p.m. – Effective Communication Strategies June 16 at 3 p.m. – Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease July 21 at 3 p.m. – Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behavior August 18 at 3 p.m. – Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits, Legal & Financial Planning September 15 at 3 p.m. – Living
Why did you apply for the Emily Huff-Gantner Memorial Scholarship fund? I was informed of the grant by Peggy Bland. I was talking about the financial hardships we are all going through, but I still wanted to continue my nursing degree.
with Alzheimer’s: For Caregivers: Early Stage October 20 at 3 p.m. – Living with Alzheimer’s: For Caregivers: Late Stage November – Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: A special recognition event to be announced For more information or to register for an upcoming event, visit https://www. farmingtonpresbyterianmanor. org/events-activities. If you have questions about memory care services or attending a virtual webinar using your phone or device, please call Anne Allen at 573-756-6768 for assistance. ◆
How do you plan to use the scholarship? I plan to use the grant to repay my student loans that I needed to continue my education. ◆
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Community Matters 573-756-6768 ◆ Fax: 573-756-6014 500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 FarmingtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2021
is published monthly for residents and friends of Farmington Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: aallen@PMMA.org Jane Hull, executive director Anne Allen, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Here they come again By Susan Coleman Goldstein for Next Avenue
Here they come again. In my memories, here come the Guzzettas, a retired couple, walking around the corner, sideby-side, on their daily walks in the neighborhood. They slow down when they pass our house, pausing long enough to wave, sometimes stooping down to pat Sydney, our black cat; clapping at my daughter’s ability to hula hoop for five seconds; or asking us about our jobs. The Guzzettas, both tall and lean, their sneakers hitting the pavement in unison, waved to everyone on the street. They knew the names of the kids playing in every yard and the dogs and cats who lived there. They remembered to ask if your kid was feeling better, if you figured out how to save that bush and if the cat had her kittens yet. They were a subtle, integral piece that connected our neighborhood together. I’ve been thinking a lot about the Guzzettas, who, 10 years ago,
moved several hundred miles away to live near their children. Perhaps it’s the result of living with this pandemic: we are working from home and living outside in the neighborhood more. My husband and I have started walking the neighborhood again, sometimes a few times each day, and, as a result, we are re-acquainting ourselves with our neighbors. Did you know that Charles is training his black lab to pass the therapy dog test? Did you know that little Ava, the six-year old who used to run outside to pat our old dog, is now 16 and driving a car? Did you know that Kay, who must be in her 80s by now, still plants vegetables in her garden, with a stable plastic chair, just in case? Our sneakers flap against the pavement as we walk the one-mile route after dinner each night. We don’t know everyone’s name yet, but we wave and say hello to the couple
working in their yard, admiring the progress of their stone wall. We know Chris, although we can’t remember his wife’s name, but we compliment them on their garden this year and he keeps offering us a big fat cabbage to take home. We know Tony now, who drives his little motorized sports car on his grassy front lawn and we slow down to ask if he has a driver’s license yet and that always makes him giggle. We are slowly reconnecting with our neighbors, although we haven’t AGAIN - continued on page 4
COVID-19 updates continue Get the latest updates on visitation status, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website or send an Art is Ageless® greeting to a resident or staff member by visiting FarmingtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. Visitation status is updated weekly on Mondays and as needed as our COVID status changes.
Vaccine distribution has begun in our community. Every person who receives the vaccine will strengthen the protection for all residents, staff and the community at-large. PMMA strongly encourages our families, employees and residents to carefully consider obtaining a vaccine for themselves as well as their loved ones. ◆ Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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reached Guzzetta status yet. Still, Charles rushed out of his house last week to tell us that Harry did indeed pass the therapy dog test and we were so happy for him. And Gina stopped us in the middle of the street to joyously wave a photograph of her new rescue dog, arriving by transport any day. We’re hoping, when we head down the street after dinner each night, to connect more with these people who live beside us every day.
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It’s 6 p.m. now. We lace our sneakers and grab the dog leash. Here they come again. ◆
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Presbyterian Manors Of Mid-America
COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2021