Aberdeen Heights
Assignment form makes wishes clear DECEMBER 2021
Beth Schwan keeps things moving For Beth Schwan, serving as concierge for The Glen is akin to being a gatekeeper. “Everything tends to come through here,” she said. “We greet guests, send people where they need to go, answer phones, handle mail and packages, keep schedules, make reservations, and help Lily (the health care administrator) with anything she has.”
Beth Schwan is our concierge.
While the work is fun and invigorating, it’s also filled with activity. “It’s enough to keep you busy all day,” Beth said. “It’s a lot of moving parts. I’ve had contact with and have a relationship with just about everyone here.” The role of concierge places Beth at the front lines between residents, staff and everyone who comes to The Glen at Aberdeen Heights. “We’re the first person that most people interact with,” Beth said. “We’re the first line of people for anyone who comes through the doors.” That high level of interaction can also lead to some good conversations — at least when the activity slows down a bit. “Sometimes we get to have some good conversations,” Beth said. “Not as much as when I worked from 4 p.m. to midnight - some of the night owls would come down just to talk. I don’t have that as much now because it’s busy. But sometimes early in the morning people will come down to talk while they’re walking around or waiting for transportation.”
Schwan – continued on page 2
With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it’s a great time to check one more thing off your list — make sure your wishes are respected and your family is protected by completing our Assignment of Amounts Due Resident Form (or reviewing your current Assignment form to make sure it is still correct). If you pass away while a resident of a PMMA® Community, this form will permit you to assign all refunds due to you to the persons specified in your form. Completing the Assignment form is simple, and if you pass away while a resident of the Community, it can save your family significant time, money and frustration when receiving a refund of any amounts due to you from your PMMA Community. In other words, it can simplify the refund process and avoid the time and cost of estate administration. This form works like a “beneficiary designation” in that it is effective upon your passing and permits you to designate who will receive all amounts due to you from your PMMA Community (for example, any refunds of your entrance fee deposit or monthly fees). Your Assignment form is revocable and can be changed at any time, so you are not locked if your circumstances change. Your beneficiaries may include
Assignment form – continued on page 4
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at AberdeenSeniorLiving.com/covid-19.
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Schwan – continued from page 1 Between her current role and previously working as the concierge in the evening in the independent living area, she’s built a multitude of valuable relationships over the years. “I will have been here eight years in February,” Beth said. “I’ve met just about every single person down here, and I’ve built a relationship with most of them.” When she’s not directing traffic at The Glen, Beth is usually enjoying time with her family, including her four grown children and eight grandchildren. She is especially enjoying the five grandchildren that recently moved into the nearly identical house next door to her.
Beth also spends considerable time in her yard, tending to gardens, fruit trees and her nine chickens. “I used to live out in the country and liked all the stuff that went with that,” Beth said. “When I moved back to St. Louis, there was no room for that, so I brought my favorite stuff and scaled it back.” The chickens fit in nicely with her two golden retrievers and a pair of Siamese cats. “I’m kind of angry with the chickens right now,” Beth said. “I’ve been feeding them every day, but I’m still buying eggs. I’m at the store putting eggs in my cart and wondering why I’m buying eggs when I’m feeding chickens.” u
“What are the odds that your kids are going to buy a house, and that your next-door neighbor will sell a house?” Beth said. “Once in a while, one of the grandkids will come over and say, ‘Mom said I need to come over and sit with you for a little bit.’”
Celebrating you! You’re special, and we want to celebrate the wonderfulness that is you. To commemorate birthdays, every resident receives a birthday sign, treat bags and balloons on their special day. Each month, we throw an end-of-month birthday party for all residents to attend, complete with entertainment and cake. Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Community Matters 314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2021
is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: lliefer@pmma.org Christie Wolff, executive director Lily Landy, health care administrator
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Residents share favorite holiday memories As the holidays approach, it’s a nice time to reflect on our favorite memories and traditions that have endured throughout the years. A few residents were kind enough to share their thoughts.
Barb Hollenbeck: “Putting up my husband’s train display that was his as a child.”
Joan Murphy: “Having the family all together around the Christmas table. This was when (my children) were grown. They brought their spouses and came from different parts of the country.” Betty Schmitt: “Getting together with family; everyone being in the kitchen.”u
Catherine Joyce: “Christmas is very family oriented. Serving turkey and plum pudding (a type of cake) is tradition.”
Fall rushes into Aberdeen Heights Residents and staff celebrated the changing of the seasons with a grand Fall Festival. The fun included a variety of games, hand painting, a whole lot of snacks, a scarecrow race, and a ring toss. Alongside our Fall Fest, residents and staff also celebrated Halloween by dressing up and competing in a pumpkin decorating contest. Everyone had a great time, and it was a fantastic opportunity to mark the transition to cooler weather. u
Charles Clayton gets his hand painted during the grand Fall Festival.
Kristine Pancer takes aim at Tony Ralphs’ dinosaur on Halloween.
Staff dressed up in a variety of costumes for Halloween.
Residents voted for their favorite decorated pumpkin.
Jeanne Barnard dressed like a S.W.A.T. member for Halloween.
Residents enjoyed the scarecrow race.
Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Assignment form – continued from page 1 individuals, charities, or others (including a will or trust so that your refund passes pursuant to your estate plan). You may designate the portion of your refund payable to each of them. Some things to think about: • Who should receive my refund — certain named individuals, charities, or my will or trust? • If I have more than one beneficiary, should they receive equal shares of my refund or should I designate
different amounts/percentages among them? • Do I want to designate a successor beneficiary to receive the amount originally allocated to a beneficiary who predeceases me? Absent a valid Assignment form, the payment of your refund may be delayed until an estate is opened or other legal proceedings are completed designating who is legally entitled to request the refund and receive payment. Unfortunately, that happens all-tofrequently and we want to help our
505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2021
residents and their families avoid that unpleasant (and sometimes expensive and time consuming) experience. This is just a summary of how this important document works. We’ll be glad to provide you with the Assignment form to review and complete, and of course we encourage you to get any input you may desire from your family or other advisors. To obtain an Assignment form or talk with someone about an Assignment form, please contact the Marketing Director or Accounting Assistant at your community. u