Fulton Community Matters August 2019

Fulton Presbyterian Manor

AUGUST 2019

A helping hand Fulton Presbyterian Manor provides support in staff member’s journey to become a registered nurse

All donors and donations appreciated at Fulton Presbyterian Manor Donors to Fulton Presbyterian Manor can feel assured that their gifts are making a real difference in others’ lives.

Bessie Boese is an example of Fulton Presbyterian Manor’s commitment to helping staff members meet their education and career goals.

The community receives donations of money, clothing, crafts, puzzle books, magazines and labor. A majority of the financial gifts go to the Good Samaritan Program, which supports residents who have outlived their resources for reasons beyond their own control.

When the youngest of Bessie’s four children started preschool in 2017, she decided it was time to take herself back to school as well. Luckily, she works for Fulton Presbyterian Manor, which offers educational assistance to employees seeking a certification, license or degree.

Bessie Boese

Bessie, who worked as a licensed practical nurse, began taking classes to become a registered nurse, and Fulton reimbursed her out-of-pocket expenses for tuition, books and fees. The extra financial help ensures Bessie and her family can afford the added expense of her education.

“It’s fantastic,” Bessie said. “It’s so nice to know that at the end of the semester any money I have paid out will be reimbursed.”

In the middle of her journey to becoming a registered nurse, a position opened at Fulton Presbyterian Manor that Bessie was nearly qualified to fill except for one requirement – she had to actually be a registered nurse.

Fulton Presbyterian Manor stepped in again.

Despite still pursuing her degree and certification, Fulton leadership believed in Bessie enough to offer her the position as MDS coordinator

“Donors assist both our residents and staff by making lives better and help with things that may not ordinarily be in reach,” said Tresa Allen, marketing director.

The community relies on donations of time, materials and money to provide residents with a high quality of life and security in knowing they will always have a home there.

“Fulton Presbyterian Manor appreciates the time and donation

Donor appreciation – continued on page 4

Helping hand – continued on page 4 Fulton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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FULTON Presbyterian Manor

573-642-6646 â—† Fax: 573-642-2202 811 Center St. Fulton, MO 65251-1922 FultonPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2019

Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Fulton Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: tallen2@PMMA.org Dawn Smith, executive director Tresa Allen, marketing director

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

Two staff members work to beautify outdoor areas for residents Kellie Starling and Teresa Taullie know how much Fulton Presbyterian Manor residents enjoy spending time outdoors and that many of them tended gardens and outdoor spaces in their younger years.

So, the two decided to create a little oasis in the courtyard near the healthcare front entrance where residents and their family and guests can enjoy the outdoors while visiting.

It wasn’t an easy task. Kellie and Teresa spent three days turning the sparse area into a space filled with flowers, seating areas and outdoor decorations.

To plant flowers, they had to remove and dig through rock and landscape fabric to find ground. They also had a swing moved to the area and set up bird feeders to attract wildlife that would interest residents.

“We just wanted to have somewhere for them to hang out in a natural environment,” said Teresa, administrative assistant. “We know our residents love to be outside. We

kind of figured this would bring that back for them.”

When they planned the area, Kellie said they were also considering staff members.

Flower pots in the area are filled with Gerber daisies, Executive Director Dawn Smith’s favorite flower.

“She sees them every morning,” said Kellie, life enrichment coordinator.

Kellie Starling and Teresa Taullie work together to create beautiful outdoor spaces.

Kellie and Teresa are also working to bring life to other areas of the community.

With help from residents, they have beautified an area near assisted living, and they are prepping another community courtyard for residents to plant vegetables and flowers.

“One of the residents said she’s never seen so many flowers,” Teresa said.

Kellie said the project has been a labor of love. “It was quite a tedious job,” she said, “but it was worth it.”

Residents are enjoying their new, lively outdoor space.

Fulton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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FULTON Presbyterian Manor 811 Center St. Fulton, MO 65251-1922 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided

by Christian values.

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Helping hand

Donor appreciation

– continued from page 1

with a flexible schedule that accommodates her classes and clinicals.

It wasn’t a mistake.

Bessie has stayed the course and plans to be fully qualified for the position by next year after she graduates in December. She is thankful to be a Fulton Presbyterian Manor staff member.

“I’m very appreciative of the opportunities that Presbyterian Manor has given me,” she said.

“They’re a fantastic company. I’ll probably retire from here someday.”

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2019

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The Fulton community thinks Bessie’s fantastic.

“Bessie manages to balance work and school,” said Tresa Allen, marketing director. “She schedules her hours around her school or work needs and requirements but always ends up working and sometimes is here at night or on the weekend. She definitely puts in 110 percent, and this program assists her to go to school to achieve her dream of RN! We are glad that PMMA could help Bessie with this dream.”

from every donor no matter how large or how small,” Tresa said. “They all make the residents lives happier in some way.”

Anyone interested in donating can drop off financial or material gifts at the business office or they can arrange endowments or Living Legacies.

Fulton honors donors by recognizing them on an honor wall as well as publishing their names in the newsletter at certain times of the year.