Newton Community Matters February 2022

Newton Presbyterian Manor

Moments define a life FEBRUARY 2022

STAFF SPOTLIGHT:

Laura Buck, interim director of nursing On December 6, Laura Buck joined Newton Presbyterian Manor as its interim director of nursing. During her nearly 20year career in the health care industry, Laura has done everything from serving as the director of an in-patient hospice care facility to handling case management for an elder law firm.

Laura’s passion for nursing—and helping others—was instilled in her at an early age.

“My mom was a nurse, so I grew up watching her help people,” said Laura. “I also did some volunteer work in middle school with elders and have always been drawn to the geriatric and elderly population.”

Laura Buck

In fact, Laura’s first day of nursing school was her 18th birthday.

As the community’s interim director of nursing, Laura gets to utilize that lifelong passion for nursing, along with her extensive professional experience, to help both residents and members of her own staff.

“I love my role because not only do I get help make positive changes for the residents in their environment, as well as their families, I get to support the nursing team. I love the teaching aspect of it and seeing potential for improvement. We have quite a few newer CNAs and it’s great just seeing the excitement when they understand something or putting the pieces together,” said Laura.

Even though Laura has only been at the community for a few months, she has already developed some strong feelings for the people she works with.

Staff spotlight – continued on page 3

By Greg Schmidt, Chaplain

NOTE: Each month, we feature a column from one of PMMA’s community chaplains in honor of our faith-based roots. This month, we’re featuring Greg Schmidt, chaplain for Heart & Soul Hospice in Wichita and Newton Presbyterian Manor.

Have you noticed that every Hallmark movie follows the same basic algorithm?

Here’s how it goes: A princessdamsel presents with some sort of professional or social dilemma. In walks a socially awkward, wannabe prince-hero who demonstrates the desire to provide support or answers. His advances are, of course, rebuffed.

A second “Captain Obvious” prince-snob rises to the challenge, but in his rush to care for the princess, manifests an arrogant, superior, you-knowyou-need-me spirit. While at first the princess foolishly longs for the attention of Captain Obvious, ever so slowly over the course of the movie she falls in love with Mr. Wannabe’s cute little nerdy self. They finally kiss (it never happens until the end). The rocket’s red glare engulfs the sky. And they live happily ever after in Mayberry. Or is that Whoville?

My response to Hallmark’s oversimplification is best stated

by Remy, the Disney character in

Memories – continued on page 2

Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Memories – continued from page 1 the movie “Ratatouille” who said, “The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability.” Real life is not simple. Or predictable. It has to be understood over the course of years, not moments. Who knew that the trick to life is living long enough to view unpredictability as your friend? Having said that, it is the “moments” – all added together – that define the life!

When family and friends gather for funeral or memorial services, they recount a lifetime of moments otherwise known as “the dash.” The “dash” is that symbol on a tombstone that is centered between the birth and the death. I’m sure your family is like mine and exactly what we remember about someone’s “dash” may differ from person to person, which makes total sense to me, since none of us approach the exact same story or experience at the exact same time, perspective or history. For example, seven members of my wife’s family tried to remember their Grandma Honey’s Christmas tree. We’re talking about 30-50-year-old memories here! And guess what? There were seven strongly held “I specifically remember …” perspectives. Some remembered a silver tinsel tree illuminated by a multi-colored rotating disc (ahh, the 60s!). Still others remembered a

pink flocked tree (ahh, the 70s!). Who was right? They all were! What had to be figured out was what time period was being remembered and/or discussed, because at some point throughout their collective childhood experiences she had both!

The greatest joy of being a Hospice Chaplain and a Heart & Soul Hospice Team member is helping families remember – and celebrate!

– their loved one’s “dash”! When disputes arise among family members, I try and remind those willing to listen that it really doesn’t matter who is “right” … and that it’s still quite possible no one is “wrong.” Why? Because our memories are about what is precious and inspirational to us individually! Such memories become our foundational and motivational reflections about

those we’ve loved. Why is that important? Because all of us want our lives and the lives of those we’ve loved to matter! We want our cherished memories to be about living, not dying … even … or especially when … we’re dying! So, we search for joy and seek to eradicate pain! We look for promise and hope and peace. And, even when we’re vulnerable, we open our lives to unpredictable people, places, and things hoping they’ll enable us to look up and onward to the things that last forever!

Just like in a Hallmark movie when everything turns out for the greater good in the end, so goes the life of promise found in God and in the love found in His people! NEVER let love die! Find joy in other people’s memories! Give it away!

Daily! u

January Bravo Goes to Abigayle Harrison January’s Bravo of the Month goes to Abigayle Harrison, medical records nurse. Melinda Ebersole writes, “Abby is always on top of things! There are times when Abby has to be pulled to the floor to cover, and it is very much appreciated. When we get a new admission, Abby does a great job at making sure we have what we need. Thank you, Abby, for everything you do!” u

Abby Harrison

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Community Matters 316-283-5400 u Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2022

is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

To submit or suggest articles: ndickinson@PMMA.org Emily Trask, executive director Noelle Jost, marketing director

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Newton campus shares satisfaction survey results

Newton Presbyterian Manor continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys.

Each month, 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. Between December 2020 and

Staff spotlight – continued from page 1 “The administrative team is awesome—Emily is the new executive director, and she is incredible, I absolutely love her,” said Laura. “We have some challenges, but the staff has huge hearts and their ability to help and contribute to being part of the

November 2021, Newton Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in ease of the admissions process, cleanliness, the move-in process and demonstrating dignity and respect.

“They really care about what they’re doing,” one respondent said. “They communicate with us very openly.

They’re very approachable in administration and any other service.”

solution is pretty incredible. I haven’t been many places where that is the case.”

And the feelings are mutual.

Presbyterian Manor’s administration is already working hard to remove the “interim” from Laura’s title—the only barrier are some personal obligations Laura needs to take care of back home in Pratt.

The respondent also likes the peace of mind that if something happens and the emergency call system is activated, help is there quickly.

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. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u

“I’m hopeful everything will work out,” said Laura. “I have a home in Pratt I’m trying to sell, if it does, I hope to transition full time. If not, we’ll just see where things go.”

Away from work Laura is the mother of two teenagers, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on, and she is a certified scuba diver. u

Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

What’s new Emily Trask, executive director

While we may still be under construction, it was great to see the main dining room reopened for independent and assisted living residents on January 3.

Health care residents will also be able to use the room as soon as additional fire sprinklers are installed. In addition, we recently received approval to use the west ramp outside the chapel and our assisted living hallway which have also been renovated. u Here’s a look at the newly remodeled dining room! Everyone is excited to share this new space.

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2022