Farmington Presbyterian Manor
JANUARY 2021
‘Here I am’
John Garland’s incredible journey
COVID-19 updates continue
John Garland has done things most people have only read about in books. In his 94 years, John has crossed the country, traversed the globe and led numerous lives—each filled with its own set of gripping stories and cherished memories. John’s adventures began at the age of 16 when he abruptly quit school and left his home in Arkansas. “My dad owned a small farm and I kind of just got tired of that and tired of school,” John Garland said John. “I learned about this government program where they taught you how to weld and promised you a job in a shipyard anywhere in the country.” Having met someone in his hometown who had worked as a welder in Seattle, Wash., John decided it would be his ultimate destination and for the next couple of years, John worked in a shipyard as a welder while living in a boarding house—a time in his life he would only describe as, “kind of interesting.” At 18, John volunteered for the Army. But while many of his fellow soldiers were fighting in Europe and Japan, John found himself stationed back in Arkansas where he was responsible for guarding German POWs.
Get the latest updates on visitation status, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website, farmingtonpresbyterianmanor. org/covid-19. Visitation status is updated weekly on Mondays for the week ending the following Sunday, and may be updated as needed in between Mondays as COVID status changes. You can also send greetings to residents or family members with the Art is Ageless® card collection available on our COVID-19 update page. Look for the dark blue button in the right-hand column under visitation status. Email the card to your campus contact for delivery, or send directly to your loved one via their email address. ◆
JOURNEY- continued on page 2 Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight As part of Farmington Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing customer service initiative, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. The graphic above highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the
lowest score.
community to others.
Between October 2019 and September 2020, Farmington Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in providing safety and security, demonstrating dignity and respect and meeting transportation needs. In addition, residents and families also reported a high willingness to recommend the
We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight.
Community Matters 573-756-6768 ◆ Fax: 573-756-6014 500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 FarmingtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2021
All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. ◆
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. Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Everything you need to know about assisted living at Farmington Presbyterian Manor
The spacious bedroom in an assisted living suite provides plenty of space to personalize and relax.
Assisted living at Presbyterian Manor is all about finding the ideal balance of freedom and support.
of a button away, but still having independence to come and go as they please.
Learn more and see why Farmington Presbyterian Manor was the first-place winner in the “Assisted Living Community” category in this year’s Best of the Parkland—an online contest that allows the community to vote for their favorite local businesses that’s sponsored by The Daily Journal, the Farmington Press and the Democrat News.
“A lot of seniors find that their world expands once they come here,” said Anne Allen, marketing and sales director. “They’re able to have those emotional and social elements back. They’re able to do activities, attend seminars we offer, participate in the Art is Ageless® program and so much more.
What assisted living has to offer
Assisted living at Farmington Presbyterian Manor is dedicated to offering the right balance of programs and activities, with the extra help seniors may need with daily living tasks so they can enjoy the way they want to live. It’s the balance of having the peace of mind that there is nursing staff available 24 hours a day just a click
“Our residents in assisted living thrive because they’re around people in their same stage of life. It’s easier to make friends because they’re surrounded by people facing similar challenges as they are and are in a similar place in life.” The assisted living advantage
While COVID-19 has changed daily life, it has also shown that life in assisted living is an ideal environment for seniors at this
unprecedented time. “There’s a huge social element of living at a senior living community and in assisted living that has an advantage right now,” said Anne. “Many seniors are going on 10 months of not leaving their home or seeing anyone. This takes an emotional and social toll on people. Even though senior living communities have guidelines to follow about visitors and restrictions for leaving the building to see family and loved ones, the advantage is that here you are surrounded by people. We still have activities and residents are able to leave their room and walk the building and visit with friends. They have connections with people who have been tested and are safe to be around. That’s a huge advantage.” ASSISTED- continued on page 4
Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Is assisted living right for you?
Meet Loren Rickmar, assisted living director
YES
Loren Rickmar was recently promoted to director of Loren Rickmar assisted living. Loren has called Farmington home her entire life. She worked in home health and psychiatric nursing prior to joining Farmington Presbyterian Manor’s nursing staff in 2012. Over the years, she’s worked on our campus in many different capacities including shift supervisor, MDS coordinator, case manager and health care assistant director of nursing.
Take this quiz to determine if remaining at home is the right choice for you or a senior you love. NO
Am I finding it easy to navigate through my home?
Do I have a plan of action if I fall and am unable to reach the phone?
Am I completely independent in managing my own medication and other daily tasks like getting dressed?
Am I still able to care for the maintenance and upkeep of my home?
Have I found time to devote to my favorite hobbies?
Do I have a social life that keeps my mind active and engaged?
Are my family or loved ones confident about my safety at home? IF YOU ANSWERED “NO” TO MOST OF THESE QUESTIONS,
“As a nurse, I’m humbled and honored to be in the position to care for our residents. I’m amazed at their life stories and experiences and know that their time at Farmington Presbyterian Manor is part of their life story. That’s the part I want to make as fulfilling and meaningful as possible. I’m blessed to work at a community like Presbyterian Manor because I’m not alone—I’m surrounded by coworkers who feel as invested in our residents as I do,” said Loren Rickmar. ◆
IT MIGHT BE TIME TO CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS.
Learn more about assisted living at Farmington Presbyterian Manor Learn how assisted living at Farmington Presbyterian Manor can be the right choice for you or a loved one. Schedule a personal appointment with Anne Allen by calling 573-756-6768 or e-mailing aallen@pmma.org.
Above: Enjoy a spacious living room to entertain friends in an assisted living suite. Left: An assisted living studio is spacious enough for a full-size bed.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2021
Thank you, to all the angels among us Thank you to all the generous donors who contributed to our annual Angel Tree campaign.
Your gift spreads cheer and keeps the spirt of Christmas alive and JOURNEY- continued from page 1
That assignment would eventually lead John to Europe when he was asked to accompany those POWs back to Germany where they would be allowed to re-enter civilian life. But like many of the stories of John’s life, his trip overseas wasn’t without its adventures. While the journey from New York to Germany was a smooth one, the return trip was far more harrowing. “Coming back, we loaded the ship with American soldiers who were going home, and we ended up getting caught in a typhoon—it was so bad,” said John. “But here I am.” John’s time in the service didn’t leave him completely unscathed,
experienced throughout the halls care and services. and homes of each PMMA resident. You make it possible for residents Every gift raised for the Angel to remain in their home through Tree campaign supports PMMA the Good Samaritan Program. residents who can no longer afford Thank you! ◆ however, and he would eventually find himself in a military hospital due to a foot surgery. While there, surrounded by severely wounded soldiers, John got direction for the next chapter of his life. “After I got out of the service, I felt like God called me into the ministry,” said John. There was a problem though. To serve as a preacher, John would need a college degree and he had never even finished high school. But John was never one to let an obstacle like that hold him back. “There was a junior college 30 miles from where I lived where I took the GED,” said John. “Eventually I went on to college, where I not only got a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s
degree in English.” With degrees in hand, John began teaching school during the day while preaching on Sundays and leading Bible study on Wednesday nights. Eventually, John and his wife, Bernice, would relocate to Terre Du Lac after raising a family and retiring from ministry. When Bernice passed away after 60 years of marriage, John decided it was time to move to a place where he could get better care and chose Farmington Presbyterian Manor. Ten years later, John spends his time at Presbyterian Manor enjoying his surroundings, and connecting with former students online. ◆
Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2021