Farmington Presbyterian Manor
JULY 2020
Maxine Poston video chats with family for the first time.
The late Carol Willman, whose generosity is her legacy.
Technology brings residents and families together during pandemic
The world lost an incredible woman on March 23, 2020, when Carol Willman passed away. But her selfless spirit and generous soul will be felt throughout our campus for years to come as she left us with so many gifts over the past two decades.
Even though residents have been restricted from having family and friends visit during the pandemic, technology is making face-toface time possible, while keeping connections safe and meaningful. It’s even starting to become a popular option for doctor visits.
Carol started her involvement with Farmington Presbyterian Manor in 2001 when she joined the mission committee. She left her first mark on our campus when she and her aunt paid to convert a room into the chapel.
“We’ve done more than 200 video chats of some kind. The majority have been between family and loved ones, but we do doctor visits,
Carol Willman leaves a legacy
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Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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It wasn’t until 2012 that Carol moved into our community after spending most of her life in the St. Louis area where she was born and raised. She lived in independent living for several years before moving to assisted living. Carol volunteered her time to minding our gift shop three times a week for more than five years. She was delightful, dependable and always a smiling face for other residents. She would also fill in for anyone who needed it and take extra shifts if needed. “The gift shop was near and dear to her heart because she knew all sale proceeds directly benefited the residents,” said Teresa Pinkley, volunteer coordinator. She was a member of the Alice Kalb Society, too. Carol believed so strongly in the mission that she left a generous gift to Presbyterian Manor in her will. And her contributions to the recent giving campaign place her in the Circle of Benevolence category of donors who gave $5,000 to $9,999. “Carol Willman was at the heart of the Give. Gather. Grow. Campaign. “She not only contributed financially, but also served on the campaign’s steering committee. She was so excited about this project, and the garden area was of special
interest. “During her health crisis, she still wanted to hear about the project’s progress, even picking out the color of the table linens. She said she would do whatever it took to be there for the ribbon cutting. “Much has happened in the world since then, but we do know Carol will be a part of the Fellowship Center’s spirit.
Learning Center in Farmington, Missouri, which she did in the 1990s until the Farmington School District took it over.
“Her generous gift and contributions of heart and humor are her lasting legacy,” said Patti Christen, regional director of development.
She then returned to St. Louis where she volunteered with the Special Olympics, made brailled textbooks for the blind and read novels for the blind.
Giving didn’t just define Carol while living at Presbyterian Manor; it’s how she spent her life. In St. Louis, Carol taught multiple handicapped children in the special education division of the St. Louis public schools until she was asked to go to London to develop a program for children with cerebral palsy who had a second handicap. When her work in London was complete, Carol came back to St. Louis as a visiting professor and trained students to work with handicap students in the special education division. After retirement, she was asked to be the director of the Midwest
“Carol was such a kind, caring and generous person. She was always concerned for the welfare of others as demonstrated by her support for our Good Samaritan program. “Her generosity and involvement in so many projects through the years will benefit those who live, work and volunteer at the Presbyterian Manor for many years to come. Truly a beautiful lady—both inside and out,” said Jane Hull, executive director. For more information in creating your legacy at Farmington Presbyterian Manor, please contact Patti Christen in the Giving Department at 316-734-2275. ◆
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FARMINGTON Presbyterian Manor
573-756-6768 ◆ Fax: 573-756-6014 500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 FarmingtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020
Community Matters
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.
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too. It works out well: we take the residents’ vitals and make sure the doctor’s office gets them. Then the doctor visits with the resident over video chat. “We make sure that someone with the nursing staff is with the resident to help facilitate and answer questions. So far, they’ve been going really well. I think they’ve been a good substitute for an in-person visit, especially when it takes away the risk of being exposed to anything,” said Anne Allen, director of sales and marketing. While technology can have its challenges, Anne shares that the process is really pretty simple. “I always say the first call is always the hardest. The biggest learning curve is walking the families through the programs on their Android or iPhone. “After that it’s really easy. All they have to do is call me up, and I can run a tablet up to a resident and connect them within a few minutes,” said Anne.
in another town that has been hit really hard by the virus. She would never be able to visit under any circumstance, but we’ve been able to set up three video chats with her sister because she’s been worried. “It’s been a huge peace of mind to coordinate that chat with that home. That’s a great resource,” said Anne. The virtual visits are also doing more than providing face time with loved ones. “Sometimes the video chats are more beneficial than an in-person visit. I had one visit where they took a tour of their house—they looked at all the dogs and their grandson, who was home from college, popped in and said hi. Just in one call, I feel like the resident got a more thorough visit than if the person had just come for a visit. “The resident got to enter the world of the family member. That was really cool. While it doesn’t replace a hug from a loved one, there are some advantages,” said Anne.
Doris Milburn looks at a bird’s nest at her daughter’s house during a Facetime video chat. Celebrate a birthday. Plan a family reunion. Give a tour of a recently landscaped backyard. Say hi to mom or dad from across the country. There are many great reasons to set up a virtual visit with your loved one at Farmington Presbyterian Manor! To schedule a video chat, contact Anne at 573756-6768 or aallen@pmma.org. ◆
Anne has seen first-hand how connections via technology benefits the residents. “The thing I love the most is seeing the joy it brings to the residents. A lot of them are still talking on the phone with family and loved ones but there’s something different when they can actually see each other. Some residents have taken it and run with it. One resident was so cute, when she was done with her chat she said, ‘I have no idea what this thing is but it’s amazing!’ We have one resident whose sister is at a nursing home
Dave Moyers celebrates his birthday with a Zoom call. Family and friends from all around the country hopped on the call to sing him happy birthday! Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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FARMINGTON Presbyterian Manor
500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
COVID-19 updates continue
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, FarmingtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. Get the latest information about visitation and restrictions on deliveries and learn more about PMMA’s infection control efforts to contain COVID-19 across the PMMA system. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020