Fulton Community Matters February 2016

Commun ty Matters Fulton Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

Everyone has a story to tell It’s time to celebrate volunteerism.

How have you answered the call to be a volunteer? How have volunteers helped you in a time of need? Why do you think volunteers are so important? How have you benefited from being a volunteer?

If you’ve got a story to share about volunteering, contact Keri Edwards, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

SIGN UP NOW!

Receive our newsletter by email. Look for the newsletter sign-up on our homepage at FultonPresbyterianManor.org It’s that easy!

February 2016

Fulton Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception features senior artists

Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity.

Some have resumed art after putting it aside for a career, others have been creating beautiful pieces throughout their lives, and others never picked up a brush until after they retired, but all are now expressing themselves through art. This month, their works are on display at Fulton Presbyterian Manor.

“I continue to be amazed at the talent and artistic passions of those in our

Art is Ageless® continued on page 3

ENTRY DEADLINE: FEB. 22, 2016

What to do when being the caregiver is not an option

By Phyllis Quinlan

There are 66 million unpaid adult family caregivers in America — 29 percent of the adult U.S. population — providing care to someone who is ill, disabled or aged, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Female caregivers outnumber their male counterparts two to one. In 2012, female family caregivers, on average, were 48 years old, lived

®

®

Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Fulton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Dawn Smith, executive director Keri Edwards, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact kedwards 2@pmma.org.

Telephone: 573-642-6646 Fax: 573-642-2202 Address: 811 Center St., Fulton, MO 65251-1922

Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

FultonPresbyterianManor.org

2

COMMUNITY MATTERS FEBRUARY 2016

alone,and provided about 25 hours of care per week.

As anyone who has done it knows, caregiving is rarely a sprint. It is most often a marathon of planning, adjusting, attending and doing. Not everyone is capable of staying in the race.

When you cannot be the caregiver

What happens when being a caregiver is not an option? What do you do when your own health, personal and career commitments or relationship with the person in need of care leave little room for you to take on the added responsibility that comes with the role?

Many struggle with this relentless internal conflict and the onslaught of negative emotions that often result in a profound sense of isolation. The comments and judgment from outsiders add to your confusion and perhaps toxic sense of self.

What is called for at this crossroad is self-compassion. Surprised?You thought that I was going to suggest that you listen to your harsh self-criticism and dig down deep to find a way to be available and accommodating. Actually, I want you to honor your sense of personal limits and not make a commitment when committing to just one more thing could invite undue hardship or risk your health and wellbeing.

Ending negative messages

Thinkstock photo

Not everyone has the resources and stamina to take on the role, and it’s OK

Just what is self-compassion? It is responding to yourself (and your situation) with kindness rather than criticism. It is stopping the loop of derogatory self-talk that often takes on the tone we imagine we would hear from some authority figure in our life.

It is the extension of kindness, care, warmth and understanding toward oneself when we are faced with the reality of our human shortcomings, inadequacies, or perceived failures.

Self-compassion is not self-pity and does not mean perpetuating a sense of being a victim. It offers you the sense of objectivity and control earned by being an adult. Self-compassion is giving yourself the time and space to make a choice that honors your needs as well as the needs of others.

Individuals who are selfcompassionate are more likely to learn and grow from the challenges in their lives.

Self-compassion provides the foundation for developing personal

Caregivers continued on page 4

Residents receive gift of pampering Residents of Fulton Presbyterian Manor were recently pampered with Satin Hands Gift Sets donated by Jenna Thompson’s Mary Kay Unit. During the holidays, a promotion was done which gave one gift set for every gift set ordered. Residents were very pleased with this special gift, and are enjoying the extra moisture for their hands during these rough winter months.

Special thanks to these Mary Kay representatives: Jenna Thompson, Unit Leader, Britteny Rose, Nichole Delaney, Dawn Smith and Melody Sessler.

Evelyn Reed and Violet Witt enjoy the Satin Hands gift sets given by local Mary Kay representatives.

Art is Ageless® continued from page 1

community,” said Keri Edwards, Marketing and Administrative Services Director. “We’re pleased to offer this program as a way for area seniors to express and showcase their masterpieces.”

The Art is Ageless exhibit will feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including a few Fulton residents.

The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of acrylics, oils, photography and various

Abbie Akers was pleased to receive her Satin Hands set!

other mediums, ranging from amateur to professional levels. The exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. February 24 through 26.

In addition to the exhibit, Fulton Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2 p.m. February 26.

The Art is Ageless program has been encouraging creativity in seniors for more than 35 years, and is sponsored by

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica (PMMA), which is a nonprofit organization that owns and operates 18 senior living communities in Missouri and Kansas.

Each year the organization publishes an Art is Ageless calendar, featuring works by amateur senior artists.

Proceeds from the sale of calendars are reinvested into new art programs and opportunities for PMMA residents.

FULTON PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3

Caregivers continued from page 2

resilience. It helps us to maintain a healthy perspective when we are bombarded by those on the periphery of the decision. They are those who are all too often unwilling to lend a hand but are free with judgments and rhetoric designed to manipulate you into thinking that you’re the best or only person who can do the caring when others cannot.

So my recommendation is to stay strong. Honor your understanding of what is best. Do not make a noble sacrifice by ignoring what you intuitively know is right, wrong, healthy or destructive. Respond to the challenge of caregiving with critical thinking rather than judgment clouded by emotion. Put your own oxygen mask on first.

Where to go for help

Veterans Benefits Administration: http://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/. Site contains information that can connect the vet to benefits and services.

Nursing Home Compare: medicare.gov. Site designed to help you shop for the best long-term services in your area.

Care Navigators: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/navigator/. Helps consumers look for health coverage options through the marketplace, including completing eligibility and enrollment forms.

These individuals and organizations are required to be unbiased.

Their services are free to consumers.

Contact Fulton Presbyterian Manor for information about our respite services. © Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved.

®

Fulton Presbyterian Manor 811 Center St. Fulton, MO 65251-1922

®

Return Service Requested

LEAVE LEA AVE US A C COMPLIMENT. OMPLIMENT IMENT T. GO ONLINE and SHARE YOUR GREA REA AT T EXPERIENCE EXPERIENC CE WITH US

Go to reputation.g5search.com/fulton-presbyterian-manor reputation.g5search.com/fulton-presbyterian-manor and choose one of our preferred online review sites to share your story ory y..

4 COMMUNITY MATTERS FEBRUARY 2016