Fulton Community Matters October 2016

Commun ty Matters Fulton Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

A personalized path

October 2016

Resident finds custom care along her journey

Everyone has a story to tell

We will focus on celebrations and family traditions in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. What traditions are important to your holiday celebrations? What are your memories of Christmas? What recipes did you only make for these special holidays?

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

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Mary Virginia Baker (center) with daughters Betty Smola (left) and Mary Kate Saltzman (right)

A strong-willed woman who raised five children on her own, Mary Virginia Baker (or Ginny, as her friends call her), has always done her best to make smart decisions for her family, including her decision to move to Fulton Presbyterian Manor.

“She wanted to maintain her independence on her own terms. She had her own home, but no longer wanted to worry about home maintenance. While I was able and willing to help her, she didn’t want that. Her mother had lived with her, and she didn’t want the same for her children. So she decided on her own to move here five years ago,” said Betty Smola, Mary Virginia’s daughter.

Born in 1920, Mary Virginia has had an interesting life journey and lived to serve others, including teaching at a school for the deaf. Her years of helping others have come full circle, as she’s found a caring environment here at Presbyterian Manor.

Baker continued on page 4

Born for this

Bessie Boese brings out the best in others Cheerful, happy expressions aren’t uncommon on the faces of staff at Fulton Presbyterian Manor, but there’s one who stands out for her sunny disposition and perpetually positive outlook. In fact, some might call her the official “cheerleader.” LPN and Unit Coordinator Bessie Boese brings passion and professionalism to her position.

“I really love my job! I’ve created so many friendships with staff, residents and their families. We have such a camaraderie,” said Bessie. “We’re like a big, extended family. Over the years of working in long-term care, I’ve

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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 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.

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2 COMMUNITY MATTERS OCTOBER 2016

held hands with, cried with, hugged, spoken to families whose loved one is dying or if a resident has lost someone they love. It’s very endearing that they look to me for comfort.”

Bessie has been on staff since 2005, giving her all to residents while raising a family at home.

“I have four young children, and they’ve practically grown up here. I was pregnant with my first son when I started here,” said Bessie “Sometimes they visit me here. I go about my work, and they go about and visit with staff and residents. They know just where to get candy, and they know which residents have cookies saved for them. It’s very comfortable like home to them,” said Bessie. “Both of my girls have expressed an interest in following in my footsteps, but all four enjoy being around the seniors.”

It’s no surprise Bessie has instilled a love for helping others in her children. After all, she learned from her father what it meant to be a light in the lives of others.

“My dad is a minister, and I grew up with him going to do Bible studies in nursing homes. I became friends with the residents, and I would take senior neighbors cookies. When I was a senior in high school, I began working as a CNA at Fulton Nursing and Rehab, and my career began from there. I started nursing school right out of high school at Nichols Career Center in Jeff City,” said Bessie.

Bessie’s skills go beyond her daily tasks, which include keeping and maintaining medical records on and off site for current and past residents, supervising floor staff duties, working closely with the health services director and case manager, helping staff understand and maintain policy and procedures, and

Bessie Boese

much more. She’s also skilled at seeing beyond a resident’s physical needs and tending to their emotional needs as well.

“Everyone has a story to tell. And when you do what we do, you become a part of their life, and a part of their story.You’ve touched their life. Out in the community people see you and appreciate you. I’m from here, my parents are from here, and I know a lot of people. It makes it more personal, and our staff really cares for people,” said Bessie.

As for future career plans, Bessie has her sights set on advancement, but that doesn’t mean she wants to work anywhere else. She plans on pursuing her RN once her youngest child is in school.

“I genuinely like what I do. Some people don’t realize what a warm place this is. What surprises people the most about senior living communities is that they assume it’s institutionalized. They don’t realize it’s such an active, home-like atmosphere,” said Bessie. “Often, when people move in they realize what they’ve been missing by staying in their own home for longer than was beneficial to them. The lawn mowing, maintenance, mortgage, and other

Boese continued on page 3

Made with love

Nona Brown pours passion into every dish When you picture someone in the kitchen lovingly preparing every dish with great care, a smile always on her face, you may be reminded of your mother or grandmother; someone who takes great delight in preparing meals for those she loves. While some might be surprised to find this type of person working in the dining services department of a senior living community, we’re lucky enough to have Nona Brown right here at Fulton Presbyterian Manor. “Nona is such a dedicated employee. She takes pride in her work and it shows in the food she serves to the residents and the employees! There are so many dishes that she prepares that are amazing, but her fried chicken is the best I’ve ever had! I am blessed to have her on my team!” said Dawn Smith, executive director. “Anytime we have a special event at the community, whether it’s a managers’ meeting, holiday event, or a special day for employees and residents, Nona cooks. All the staff and residents look forward to her meals, as they are so delicious.”

So how did Nona develop such a passion for cooking?

“I’ve been cooking for the last 22 years, 10 years of which have been here at

Boese continued from page 2

hassles actually cause them to lose the freedom and joy of just being themselves. Our residents have time to socialize, travel, and do things they might not have otherwise.”

In addition to her career at Presbyterian Manor, and her career LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Presbyterian Manor. I learned to cook at Jamaica Pride, a restaurant in Chicago, and worked as a server, hostess, and cook for a food service temp agency. I also have a large family that I’ve experimented different dishes and recipes on. When my family comes to visit they always ask if I have anything cooked they can eat,” said Nona.

While her family certainly is fortunate to get to test her recipes, her Presbyterian Manor “family” is just as fortunate to experience her dishes on a regular basis.

“I’ve worked with Nona for the last 3 years. Nona is truly an amazing person. She goes above and beyond for all the residents and her coworkers.You will never see Nona without a smile on her face. I’m not sure what I’d do without her,” said Francine Caddell, dining services director. “She is amazing and talented at everything she does, especially her cooking. She loves to be challenged in the kitchen. The more she is challenged the more creative she is.

Nona has cooked for the Good Samaritan BBQ Fundraiser for the last two years. Each year we receive raves on how wonderful the food is.

The residents here are a second family to her.”

Our residents and staff certainly are fortunate to enjoy Nona’s work, but if you ask Nona, she’s the lucky one.

“Fulton Presbyterian Manor is the first nursing home I’ve ever worked in. When I first started here, I fell in love with my job and the residents. I absolutely love our residents. I love interacting with them and hearing their stories. I love to see their expressions and hear their reactions to my food. The residents aren’t afraid to tell me if they don’t like it, good or bad they express their opinions. There’s always more good than bad opinions. Cooking is a way to express myself, and I enjoy pleasing others with my food.”

at home as a mother of four (and wife to husband Richard), Bessie enjoys many other passions.

“I like to read, cook and entertain.

And in the fall, we have football, dance, piano and soccer for the kids.

I stay very busy! My kids are big enough now that they can learn to cook with me. I’m always whipping

up something new. I often bring food to work, and lots of people cook my recipes now! Maybe I should release a cookbook,” said Bessie.

We’re blessed to have Bessie as part of our Presbyterian Manor family, and her positive attitude is a testament to the quality of care each of our residents receives.

Nona Brown shares her special skills in the kitchen with the residents of Fulton Presbyterian Manor.

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Baker continued from page 1

“Of course, we had some apprehension when she first moved in. Would she be safe? Would she be happy? Those fears were quickly relieved,” said Betty. “She started out in assisted living, but decided she didn’t need the additional services, so changed to independent living. She had her own place like an apartment.

Safety was always a top concern, from door codes all the way down to the right kind of trash cans.”

Mary Virginia’s family was quickly impressed by the quality of care their mother received, which became even more evident when she encountered an unfortunate incident.

“Mother was in independent living for several years until she fell. Then she was moved into the PATH® (PostAcute to Home) program here until she could recover. She went through a time of deep depression, which is understandable. I’m not certain she thought she would come through it,

but with the staff’s help, she found the will to go on. She fought her way back to being able to be in assisted living,” said Betty.

Mary Virginia enjoys the balance she finds in assisted living. She still has independence, but gets the extra help she needs.

“The staff here is very kind and helpful. They’re funny and very cheerful. They encourage you to get

Baker continued below

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Baker continued from above

better. Everyone is very nice, right down to cleaning crew. They’re always asking, ‘What can we help you with?” said Betty.

Mary Virginia’s experience with customized care may come as a surprise to some who perceive a senior living community as somewhere people’s health steadily declines.

“What I want people to know is to forget the common misperception

COMMUNITY MATTERS OCTOBER 2016

that, ‘I’m going there to die.’ People come here to live. My mother spent a lot of time alone before. But now, she talks to people, plays BINGO and exercises. It was a wise choice on her part to move here,” said Betty. “And I’m so grateful to the staff here for working with us to find the right solution for my mother. Especially Donna Hunter, the social services designee. At almost any other senior living place, if you get worse or better, you have to go somewhere

else. Not here. It’s a continuum of care, not always a linear path.”

We’re grateful Mary Virginia decided to call Presbyterian Manor home, and we’re grateful for our extended “family” of regular visitors, including Betty.

“People at Fulton Presbyterian Manor are well taken care of. It looks like a home, not an institution. It’s like an extension of our own family, and I’ve become friends with many of the staff members.”