Fulton Community Matters November 2014

Commun ty Matters Fulton Presbyterian Manor

All hands on deck to ConKerr cancer Nearly a dozen residents turned out for the ConKerr Cancer sewing project. Everyone pitched in to help make pillowcases for kids with cancer. Founded in 2002 by Cindy Kerr, ConKerr Cancer began as a CONKERR CANCER continued on page 4

Event organizer Ginger Beasley and Carol Woolridge pin pieces together to make comforting pillowcase.

Marilyn Dunham and Naomi Boone display one of the pillowcases the group made.

County commissioner honored to help with Honor Flights

November 2014

Doc Kritzer is well-known in Callaway County for many reasons. Primarily, he’s a county commissioner, but he’s served in a variety of other service roles, including as volunteer for the county fire department for several decades. One way Doc has served his community, however, may not be as well-known.

“The Central Missouri Honor Flight group has gone on 29 flights. I’ve been a volunteer escort on 11 of those,” said Doc. “I was inspired to start volunteering “Colombia to St. Louis... by my daughter, who’s an Air Force flight fly to Baltimore... drive nurse out of Dayton, Ohio, where the to D.C.... riving tour Honor Flights originated. I also do it in around the capital.... memory of my own father, who fought in Korea and Vietnam WWII.” memorials.... WWII Central Missouri Honor Flight is a memorial ..... everyone nonprofit organization that sends veterans is exhausted... but oh to Washington, D.C., free of charge to boy, what a thrill.....” visit the WWII and other memorials.

Since 2009, the group has transported more than 1,650 veterans. Top priority is given to WWII veterans, along with Korea and Vietnam veterans who may be terminally ill. Each veteran may designate an assistant, called a guardian, to help with wheelchairs.

“My first involvement was going to a welcome home celebration,” Doc said.

“From there, I just wanted to get more involved as a guardian. They especially look for volunteers with a medical background and good stamina to push those in wheelchairs.” Doc’s fire department background and experience as a first responder were appreciated. “On one trip, I went with my twin sister, who is a registered nurse,” he said.

“Volunteers pay their own way to go on the flight. Donations are crucial or these flights wouldn’t happen,” Doc said. “We take a bus from Colombia to St. Louis, then fly to Baltimore, where buses drive us to D.C. From there, we take a 20-minute driving tour around the capital. Then, we drive to the HONOR FLIGHTS continued on page 4

Lifestyle changes hold the key to preventing Alzheimer’s

We now have a prescription that researchers think can delay or prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not a pill, it’s a list of lifestyle choices. Results from a landmark study announced this summer show that having a healthy lifestyle may be the key. It’s a recipe, or cocktail, of several factors.

“It’s the first time we have been able to give people a kind of recipe for what is useful,” said Maria Carrillo, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association.

More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and it is the sixth

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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 Alonzo, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact kalonzo@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

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leading cause of death in the U.S. Millions more will likely develop dementia as the baby boomers age.

In the study, researchers looked at 1,260 people in Finland from 60 to 77 years old, who were at risk for Alzheimer’s. One group went on a lifestyle improvement program and the other group received general health advice. The results were dramatic.

The lifestyle program included factors that previous studies had shown improve heart function and memory. It included: good nutrition, regular exercise, stimulating activity and building relationships.

The lifestyle participants also received advice on how to manage blood pressure and cholesterol among other cardiovascular risk factors.

After two years, people in the lifestyle program showed a whopping 40 percent improvement in cognitive tests.

Here are some ways to start on your own program to delay dementia: Eat well –When it comes to nutrition and exercise, what is good for the heart is good for the brain. Don’t feel you are deprived; just start by adding fruits and vegetables to your regular diet. Ease out fats and fried foods, and always choose whole grains rather than highly refined bakery products.

Move more – “We shouldn’t just be encouraging people to exercise, we should discourage them from being sedentary,” one researcher said. Some researchers found that moderate activity such as doing chores and walking – not just high-intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or biking – can protect the thinking process. Taking a walk after dinner three or four nights a week is an excellent habit to develop and a good way to kick-start your exercise program. Always consult your physician before beginning an exercise program.

Brain games – Two excellent ways to train your brain is to flex it and have a purpose. Things you can do on your own

Eating well is part of keeping your mind sharp.

include working a crossword puzzle or jumble, reading, pursuing a hobby, playing a musical instrument or singing. Having a purpose involves brain flexing, as well. For this, you can set goals and follow through or solve a problem, for example.

Social interaction – Social relationships foster support, and this connectedness, as we grow older, is critical to our wellness. When we converse, our brains are busy dealing with the activities of listening, observing and understanding.You can combine some of these activities for added impact, such as playing cards, joining an exercise class, participating in a book club and attending a lecture.

More research in the years to come may eventually prove that the “recipe” prevents Alzheimer’s, but until then, we know most people have a good chance of delaying dementia symptoms if we increase physical activity, eat well, stimulate our brains and interact with others.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and treatments are poor. There are only a few drugs that appear to slow the disease in some people. The best course we have is to try to prevent it.

New decade, new locations, new services This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life.

The 1980s brought growth in independent living options on many Presbyterian Manor campuses. New duplexes and apartments were constructed in Parsons, Lawrence, Wichita and Salina. It also brought construction of two new campuses and health care additions at the Wichita and Rolla campuses.

By early 1980, the United Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas’ joint project with the Manhattan Retirement Foundation was open. PMMA continued to provide management services for the new Meadowlark Hills until July 1, 1981.

Salina Presbyterian Manor opened its doors in February 1980, and work started on additional apartments almost immediately.

In addition to the expansion of the physical plant, two important programs of PMMA began in 1980.

Residents, staff and advisory board members were invited to submit art and poetry for potential inclusion in the inaugural Art is Ageless calendar.

A donor’s $10,000 gift established the Education Fund for PMMA employees, residents and trustees. The first scholarships were given in 1981. Those funds served as seed for today’s Employee Education Assistance Grants.

Consideration of additional campuses continued through the 1980s as well. Efforts to raise funds for a Presbyterian Manor at Hays were not successful, and after thorough study, the board authorized sale of the property in June 1980. The next year, a group of citizens

The newly constructed 6story independent living apartments at Salina Presbyterian Manor.

Many people attended the April 13, 1980, dedication of Salina Presbyterian Manor.

Harry Steele presents Rev. Thomas C. Wentz, president and CEO of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, with the key to Salina Presbyterian Manor.

in Emporia petitioned for construction of a campus in that community, and a period of study and fundraising began.

Additional campuses in Missouri also were considered in Jefferson City and Springfield.

The PMMA board voted to sell Mid-Continent Presbyterian Manor, a campus formerly operated by the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. Residents of the campus, located in Kansas City, Mo., were given the option of moving to the Kansas City, Kan., campus. The sale was completed in 1983.

New services and new needs also were explored.

With the support of the Synod of Mid-America, PMMA worked to establish a campus for severely physically handicapped adults in Hutchinson. Home health care for residents living independently on PMMA campuses was started in 1984. Piloted in Salina, the service was expanded to other campuses before the end of the year.

The official ribbon cutting and dedication at Salina Presbyterian Manor was April 13, 1980.

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CONKERR CANCER continued from page 1

way for this mother to comfort her son who had been diagnosed with cancer. From there, it grew to a nationwide effort called A Case for Smiles.

TIME CHANGE November 2 Be sure and set your clocks back 1 hour.

Thousands of ConKerr Cancer volunteers have brightened children’s lives by simply sewing a pillowcase. As a result of their love and generosity, ConKerr Cancer has delivered more than 950,000 pillowcases.

Patsy Whitley cuts pieces for a new pillowcase.

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HONOR FLIGHTS continued from page 1

Korea and Vietnam memorials, and then on to the WWII memorial. It’s a 24-hour trip, so everyone is exhausted when we get back. But oh boy, what a thrill it is for everyone involved.”

Doc has had the pleasure of accompanying several Presbyterian Manor residents on Honor Flights over the years, including current residents Chris Binggeli, Woodrow Boulware and Morris Gohring.

“It’s so heartwarming to hear the veterans talk to each other about their service,” said Doc. “They come out of their shells. They need to be around others who were where they were. And when they come back after the 4 COMMUNITY MATTERS NOVEMBER 2014

trip for the reunion, they’re so open with their families.

“One thing that touches them the most is the mail call. We contact their friends and family in advance and ask them to send letters to be opened on the flight home. Once, there was a veteran on the trip who was an orphan. He had no family. He had never received mail while in the war, but he sure did on that flight. When his name was called, he got a whole stack of mail from young school kids. It was so emotional and meant so much to him.”

For more information visit CentralMissouriHonorFlight.com or call Doc Kritzer at 573-642-0737.