Aberdeen Heights
OCTOBER 2021
Editor’s note: This month’s guest chaplain is Greg Schmidt, chaplain for Heart & Soul Hospice of Wichita and Newton Presbyterian Manor. In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we will be periodically sharing columns from our community chaplains in your Community Matters newsletter.
Chaplain’s Corner Gardens help grow healthy lifestyles Carol McSweeney was excited when a raised box garden arrived at Aberdeen Heights earlier this year. With the elevated garden container, no one has to bend or stoop to enjoy the sight, smell and feel of nature’s bounty. “It’s about 4-foot tall,” Carol said. “We planted about 12 or 14 herbs in it — and they were outgrowing each other, so I had to prune them. The secret was I used soil that had Miracle-Gro in it already. It’s lush and luxurious.”
What birds can teach us about faith By Greg Schmidt, Chaplain I can hear a few birds talking to one another outside my office window. Grackles squawk and beg for peanutflavored suet. Sparrows chirp about how greedy the grackles are any time any food is available. And the Baltimore Orioles are sharing that they discovered a well of Welch’s® grape jelly! How do I know what they’re saying? Because I sit for hours on my deck … and listen! (I’m secretly hoping the birds will come and sit on my shoulder or perch on my hand!) Trust me, birds live in a never-ending search for food! Interestingly, the Bible says God provides for the needs of the sparrow. But that doesn’t mean those little chirpers can just sit back and have it delivered! Sure, the food is there. Available. But they have to go in search of it!
Assisted living residents Carol McSweeney and Barbara Hollenbeck
Gardens – continued on page 2
By the way, it’s the same for you and I. Only our never-ending search is for love! It’s there. Available. Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:8). In this case, love is
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Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at AberdeenSeniorLiving.com/covid-19.
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“We have basil, thyme, just a variety of things,” said Barbara Hollenbeck. “It’s a good thing for smell and texture. We also have lamb’s ear and lavender. We did harvest some basil, and a friend came to pick it up and made pesto and brought it back. I have it in the freezer and share that with the tables in the dining room.” From assisted living, where Carol and Barbara tend to the box garden, and into the health center and memory care area, gardens provide an important role in residents’ health and engagement.
Debra Leland, who works in skilled nursing, said their garden has been a great tool to bring residents together and to share in a community activity. “The garden club planted the veggies, and the residents get to come out and enjoy that,” Debra said. “We got some of the rolling boxes, and we planted petunias, and we’ll be planting some bulbs soon. Most of our residents are in wheelchairs, so we’ll sit outside around the gardens and watch the birds come by. Several people have bird feeders, and we even have a rabbit that comes hopping through here.” Aside from the activity, Debra said the gardens are a great way for residents to remain connected to activities they’ve always enjoyed.
“At 7:15 a.m., you’ll hear her banging on the concrete because she’s feeding the turtles,” Barbara said. “When it gets cold, they’ll be hibernating, and we’ll have to wait until spring to see them again.” Carol said when the temperature nears 40 degrees, the turtles will turn in for the winter. “We’re going to have so many turtles — they’ve been doing their thing again,” Carol laughed. “We’re starting to see new baby turtles. It is fascinating. People are constantly asking me about the turtles. But they’ll go to bed in October, and we won’t see them again until April. They’ll bury themselves in the garden and stop coming to the food platters. I don’t put food out again until I see one walking around.” u
Several residents did gardening before they came to Aberdeen, she said. “Some just like to be out in the fresh air. For the people who loved gardening before, it’s good mentally and physically.” When it comes to the outdoors and wildlife, however, few things seem to catch as much attention as Carol’s “pet” turtles.
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Community Matters 314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 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.
Tropical relief reaches the shores of Aberdeen Heights With all of the COVID-19 restrictions we’ve experienced, it seemed like a good idea to break up the monotony and provide some levity and fun by hosting a Hawaiian luau.
Thanks to everyone who made this island party possible. It was great to see everyone having such a good time and enjoying one another’s company. u
Both the health center and assisted living communities hosted luaus on their patios. We enjoyed Hawaiianthemed food and drinks in both areas. Assisted living residents were treated to live music by Connie and Amalia.
Health center residents Marian Senger, Phyllis Hippenmeyer and Joyce Rasbach model their Hawaiian leis. Performers Connie and Amalia belt out tunes on our assisted living patio.
Our administrator, Lily Landy, helps serve drinks at the health center luau.
Assisted living resident Joann Clay enjoys the luau. Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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there … but action is necessary. We have to search for it! So, I’m happy to report that the longer I spend time with my Presbyterian Manor and Heart & Soul Hospice workmates and families, the more I understand and appreciate how plentiful love is! It’s there for the searching! Acts of Love. Compassion. The efforts to assist others in discovering peace of mind and spirit – for the patient and the employees – the energy given to providing a helping hand, a forgiving and encouraging spirit. Grace. Mercy. Patience for residents/patients … and their families. Generosity. Pay it forward attitudes and actions. A gentle touch. A shoulder to cry on. Someone to laugh with. Being a
fellow burden-bearer and prayer warrior! I see them all the time! They’re here! At Aberdeen Heights! My grandkids created a sign for me and my wife that says, “Next time you feel alone … don’t!” It’s their way of saying back to Gram and Pops what we always say to them; namely, “We’re here! We want to share life with you! We love you more than you will ever realize! Make the phone call! Write the text! Stop one or both of us and say, ‘I’m lonely or needy!’ Remember, we’re not mindreaders, but we’ll respond faster and love you deeper than you could ever imagine!’” It’s love given. And love returned. No one has to enter into a never-ending search. It’s here! So, keep “chirping!” Let your needs be known! So many of our staff serve a God that has a never-
505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2021
ending supply of love. And lots of us are following Him as closely as we know how. P.S. If you don’t provide your Baltimore Orioles with “Welch’s grape jelly” … according to the husband of a past resident, they will come peck on your kitchen window and tell you, “Go back to Dillons® and get Welch’s, not Smucker’s®!” They’re grape jelly snobs. Just thought you should know! u