Farmington Community Matters May 2020

Farmington Presbyterian Manor

MAY 2020

Heart & Soul Hospice earns advanced certification

Delmar Watts, far left, with some veteran buddies at Farmington Presbyterian Manor’s last Veteran’s Day pancake breakfast.

Resident Delmar Watts remembers life serving country

As we celebrate our veterans later this month, we’re putting the spotlight on resident Delmar Watts for his years serving our country.

Delmar was born and raised in St. Genevieve County, which is where he met his wife, Marilyn.

“We probably met at the small country church we were going to at that time. We later came to St. Francois County,” said Delmar.

When in Farmington, Delmar joined the National Guard and enlisted to serve in the war. But life events happened and changed those plans.

“I was classified as a 1-A and got my papers to go to service. My wife and I hadn’t been married long and she got pregnant. A good friend of mine who was a recruiter here for the Army told me I would be exempt WATTS - continued on page 2

Heart and Soul Hospice was recently awarded Level 4 certification from the “We Honor Veterans” program. The Level 4 certification is the highest achievable certification a hospice organization can achieve in the program.

We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Hospices, state hospice organizations, hospice-veteran partnerships and VA facilities are invited to create a pioneering program focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment.

By recognizing the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families, community providers — in partnership with VA staff — will learn how to accompany and guide HOSPICE - continued on page 2

Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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WATTS - continued from page 1

from the draft because at that certain period of time they didn’t want to take men with children.

“My classification jumped from 1-A to 5-A, so I just stayed in the National Guard for about eight years. They put me in a motor pool, and I went to several different states for training. After I came out of service, I went into the Reserves. I was glad to join,” said Delmar.

Over the years, Delmar and Marilyn’s family grew to include three daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Outside of service, Delmar drove 18-wheelers hauling freight. After that, he worked for the local utility company for 30 years.

In 2014, he and his wife moved to Colorado, but after the passing of his wife, he decided it would be

best to move back to Farmington in 2016.

Manor back, and they said it was ready and I could have it.”

“I didn’t know where I wanted to go,” said Delmar. “My daughter called the Presbyterian Manor on a Monday and they said they had a spot opening and needed to know

by Wednesday at the latest.

Life in independent living as been the right fit for Delmar.

“In previous years, I had to make a lot of quick decisions, and I needed time to think about this. I waited until Wednesday and was ready. My daughter called the Presbyterian

“I was on the road so much, I never learned how to cook,” he said. “My wife was a good cook, so I wish I had learned. Then again, I have accommodations here so I can cook, I can get my meals if I want to, or I don’t have to show up. I think it’s the right place. I really like it here. This is where I want to be!” ◆

and, using resources provided as part of the program, integrate best practices for providing endof-life care to veterans into their organization.

strengthen relationships with VA medical centers and other veteran organizations; and increase access and improve quality of care for veterans in the community.

To achieve Level 4 certification, hospice organizations are required to provide Veteran-centric education for staff and volunteers; identify patients with military experience; build organizational capacity to provide quality care for veterans; develop and

“Achieving the Level 4 certification reflects our organization’s continuing commitment and dedication to ensuring veterans have access to quality end-of-life care,” said Susan Swink, marketing director for Heart and Soul Hospice. ◆

HOSPICE - continued from page 1

them through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.

We Honor Veterans also provides tiered recognition to organizations, known as Partners, that demonstrate a systematic commitment to improving care for veterans. There are four levels that partners can achieve in the program. Partner organizations assess their ability to serve veterans

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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 | May 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) organizaton.

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.

We love our nurses!

In honor of National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and the Year of the Nurse at Presbyterian Manor, a few of our residents were excited to share what they love about our nurses who provide comfort, caring and compassion every day in our community.

Phyllis Wigger

Sally Lorch

Wanda Chatman

Oscar Goverau

Margaret Connelly

Clifford Harris

Della Wiles

Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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April 15, 2020

Dear Residents and Family,

We continue to “Stay the Course” despite the challenges of restricting all visitors to our PMMA communities. It has been a key prevention measure in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 virus across the United States. In addition, the CDC guidelines and the emergency “Stay-at-Home” orders for the general public in Kansas and Missouri and the guidance to social distance issued by almost all of the states, has helped our employees to protect those entrusted to our care.

Just last week, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) released revised models that included a strong statement as to what social distancing is doing to decrease the number of expected cases of COVID-19.

The revised projections simply indicate that the policy of social distancing is working to reduce both hospitalizations and deaths, not only in the U.S., but also around the world.

What does this mean for all of the senior living communities in the PMMA system? It means that taking the stance to implement these extreme measures by the PMMA leadership, but one required by CDC guideline, remains the right thing to do to keep all our residents and employees COVID-19 free.

To this point, PMMA has a resident population of approximately 2,400 that are – as of today – COVID-19 free.

In addition, we have had only one non-direct care employee out of almost 2,500 total employees that tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, and appropriate steps were put in place to assure no other employee or resident was affected. It is difficult with these outcomes, to argue with the PMMA System success due to the key prevention measures implemented in March.

I sincerely thank you for your cooperation, patience and grace during this pandemic and please let me end with a personnel experience I had this past Easter weekend.

Most Easter mornings, I usually attend a Sunrise service at my local church. Unfortunately, this opportunity was not available due to the “Stay at Home” orders in Kansas. Therefore, I sat in my driveway, looking at the cloudy morning and listening to a Christian podcast of the readings from all of the gospels of the very first Easter morning. At the end of the podcast, the presenter read the following chorus from the Hymn, “Because He Lives.” The words were very reassuring to me in this very trying time. I hope this speaks to you also.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives God’s Blessings, Bruce H. Shogren President/CEO

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2020

Resident Glenda Corless looks back at nursing career At the age of 9, resident Glenda Corless and her family packed up their belongings at home in Missouri and headed west on an adventure.

“We went out to Fresno, Calif., to find a cousin of mine who had run away with her boyfriend. When we found them, my dad sent the boyfriend back here packing.

They got married the next year and were married the rest of their lives. My dad would go every day to unemployment, and he got a job teaching. We stayed out there from 1934 to 1943,” said Glenda.

Her last two years in Fresno were spent studying at Fresno State in their pre-nursing program.

“I originally went to school to be an airline stewardess. At that time, to be an airline stewardess you had to be a registered nurse. I thought it sounded glamorous. But after I was in the program for a short time, I forgot all about it. I was interested in nursing,” said Glenda.

After those first two years of school, Glenda and her family moved back to Missouri, and she had to find somewhere close to finish her degree.

“I went to St. Louis City Hospital for three years, and it was during the war. I signed papers saying I would go into service – we were called ‘cadette nurses.’ They paid for our tuition, our uniforms, for everything, and they gave us a small amount of money on top of that. When we graduated in 1946, the war was over so we weren’t obligated to do anything. I stayed at City Hospital and worked there for the next five and a half years,”

said Glenda.

During that time, Glenda first worked nights on the top floor of the hospital where patients were brought from the emergency room before moving to day duty as head nurse. After a year there, she was made a supervisor and worked in the nursing office for two years.

classes. The teacher puts the chairs up more than six feet apart and runs us through the exercises she’s memorized,” said Glenda.

As we recognize National Nurses Week May 6-12, we celebrate all nurses – past and present – for their caring, comfort and compassion. ◆

“I got married then and told my husband, Warren, that I wanted to stay home when we had kids.

When we started having our family, I didn’t do any nursing except to go back for a day or two when they really needed me,” said Glenda.

Warren and Glenda were married for 69 years and have two children, five grandkids and seven greatgrandchildren. The couple moved into Farmington Presbyterian Manor 25 years ago.

“We decided to move here because Warren’s mother was in Booneville in a nursing home and my stepmother had moved into a place here. We were driving one direction one week to see his mother and then one direction the next week to see my mom. We decided we liked the set up here and we should move here. We’re really glad we did,” said Glenda.

Resident Glenda Corless

While life around the Presbyterian Manor has looked different ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, staff and residents are working together to make the most of the situation.

“I’m not enjoying not having visitors, but it’s a really good idea.

They have a wonderful set-up here to keep the virus from spreading.

We don’t have any real activities, but we are able to have our exercise

Glenda and Warren Corless on their wedding day.

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.

Staff spotlight: Christy Holt A member of the community’s staff since 2018, Christy Holt is the new RN in charge of Assisted Living.

Prior to taking on her new position, Christy was the RN case manager in Skilled Care, where she worked with residents, and the families of residents, who were receiving rehabilitation services.

personal.

“My entire life, I have always enjoyed helping others, and I love to listen to people’s stories and backgrounds,” said Christy. “I also love the fact that in nursing, you learn something new every day.”

“I absolutely love the residents and the staff,” said Christy. “I feel like the Presbyterian Manor does an amazing job caring for those who live here.”

“My mother was here for a couple of years, and I was always very impressed by the way all the staff cared for her,” said Christy. “I always knew she was well taken care of.”

Now that she is a member of the community herself, she said that it is a combination of the people within Asked what initially led her into a career in nursing, Christy said that it the community and the level of care the staff provides that she enjoys the was all part of a lifelong mission to most. help others.

Her reason for joining the team at Presbyterian Manor was equally as

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2020

Christy has been married to her husband, Chris, for more than 23 years and together they have three

kids: Garrett, who is in college, Gracie, who is a senior in Christy Holt high school, and Riley, who is in kindergarten.

On the family farm, they have additional family members consisting of three Australian Shepherds, barn cats and cattle.

“Spending time with family and friends is very important to me,” said Christy. “Together, we spend a lot of time working outdoors and our children all enjoy showing cattle—I love being able to help them with their fair projects.” ◆