Fulton Community Matters September 2016

Commun ty Matters Fulton Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

Everyone has a story to tell

We will focus on memory care and national memory screening day in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. What do you do to stay sharp? What tricks or tips do you have for remembering things? How has being in memory care helped a loved one?

Because this also will be our November issue, we also will be sharing stories about our many veterans. If you served in the military, we want to hear your story.

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

SIGN UP to receive our newsletter by email.

Visit

FultonPresbyterianManor.org Enter your email address in the subscription box.

It’s that easy.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Fulton artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners

September 2016

Winning artist in Fulton Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2017 Art is Ageless Calendar produced by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America.

“Summer Special,” a painting by Rosemary Zbinden will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall. In addition, “Daylilies at the Old Stone Wall,” a painting by Carol Bramon will be featured on a greeting card.

Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 16 other PMMA communities. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar and notecards.

Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years.

“Daylilies at the Old Stone Wall,” by Carol Bramon will be featured on a greeting card.

Rosemary Zbinden will have her painting, “Summer Special,” featured in the 2017 Art is Ageless calendar.

Social services designee helps ease transition, maximize quality of life To say Social Services Designee Donna Hunter is well liked at Fulton Presbyterian Manor is an understatement.“Donna is patient, loving and kind. She lives out our mission every day.

“Whether she is discussing discharge plans with the resident or family, discussing advanced directive planning, or discussing a difficult situation the resident is experiencing, Donna has a calming, compassionate way with the residents and families and they trust her,” said Dawn Smith, executive director.

®

®

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

Donna Hunter (shown here with Opal Forman) is always willing to help with questions and concerns of the current and future residents of Fulton Presbyterian Manor.

Those she helps become like friends, or more often, family. It may even be safe to say she has a fan club, although Donna would deflect any attention on herself back to her passion for what she does.

“It’s all about caring for these people.

I’ve cried with residents, I’ve laughed with them. There was a gentleman recently who was having a hard time adjusting to life here, but he’s settled in and is doing so much better,” said Donna. “If you can’t be home, this is next best place. Residents aren’t going to be neglected. They’re loved. We take great pride in their quality care.”

Donna has been serving Fulton Presbyterian Manor residents for more than 10 years, although her career in healthcare started long before.

“While in high school, I worked at Fulton State Hospital in geriatrics for a while as a psychiatric aide. I also worked at Riverview Nursing Center for many years, doing activities and social services. Prior to coming here, I went to Metro Business College, and got my associates in business and

computers, but I came back to long term care. It’s where I belong,” said Donna. “I’ve been involved in so many aspects of long term care. I’ve almost done everything, from housekeeping to supervisor over dietary, to front office work, to marketing and admission/discharges. I’ve worked with so many seniors and their families, have seen so much joy in their lives and what they have to offer us. It’s a blessing.”

Donna’s compassionate, helpful personality combined with her expansive knowledge of the intricacies of senior care make for an ideal combination. She’s able to help residents and families navigate through the sometimes confusing and emotional world of independent and assisted living and long term care.

“I work very closely with residents and their families and develop care plan meetings to help everyone be fully informed. I find a date and time that works for them, and everyone who helps care for that person has a role, including dietary, activities, therapy, Transition continued on page 4

2 COMMUNITY MATTERS SEPTEMBER 2016

Former banker and board member invests in others’ happiness

The Harris family has deep and widereaching connections in Callaway County, having founded the Callaway Bank in 1897, and various family members have been involved in many community organizations over the years. Perhaps you could say service to others is in their blood.

Resident Overton (O.T.) Harris is certainly a living testament to his family’s legacy, having served as Callaway Bank President from 1981 until 1999. He also served in a variety of different volunteer positions, including as a board member for Presbyterian Manor.

“I was on the Missouri advisory board, and when they merged I was on the corporate board in Wichita. I knew it was a quality place, and even had other family members either staying here or working here, including my motherin-law and my daughter-in-law, Sue Harris,” said Overton. “When it came time for me to sell my home, I didn’t even consider other places. It’s convenient here, and the service and staff are very good. Everyone is well trained. I’m impressed by their courtesy, and they really go out of their way to be professional and be of help.”

Overton’s humble nature and ability to draw out the good in others are just a few of the reasons staff and other residents light up when they see his signature red scooter buzzing down the hallway. Overton’s family connections, including his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and interest in a variety of different topics make him an intriguing conversation partner.

“I’m still informed on the bank, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

although I retired quite some time ago.

I still have a grandson and niece that work there.”

Overton has dealt with many losses in his long life, including his wife Rosemary, brother John and son Bruce. He cherishes the friends and family he has, and still sees so much potential and hope all around him.

Perhaps it’s this optimism which led him to pursue a longtime passion: writing.

“I’ve taken up writing in recent years. I used to collect stamps, but I didn’t have room for them here. So I sold those, and now I write a little bit. I’m working on a novel, which so far is much harder than history or biography.

Right now my characters seem to be in traps, and I’m working on how to get them out. A friend of mine who’s a retired English professor, is helping me out,” said Overton.

Novels aren’t the only thing Overton is trying his hand at.

“Last year, I wrote a little one act play, and I worked with Activity Director Beth Boyd to put it on. We did a little read through with a cast of residents.

Nothing fancy. It drew a crowd, maybe 30 people. After it was over, a nurse came up and said, ‘I liked your play. I saw one of our residents smile for the first time in months.’ That made it all worth it and maybe I’ll do it again.”

Although most people’s life plan is to remain in their own home, there are situations which arise which prevent this from happening successfully.

Overton realized early on that even though this isn’t something he’d planned, it’s the best situation for him, and something he’s making the most of.

O.T. Harris can be seen buzzing around Fulton Presbyterian Manor on his red scooter.

“If the Presbyterian Manor has services a person needs, and they have all levels of care, then I think it would be logical place to start. But a person should look around and know what’s there, so they can compare. Just remember that service is what matters most, and nowhere compares to here.

When the time came, and they had an opening for me here, naturally I had to downsize. I don’t have a house to take care of, and my scooter gives me some mobility,” said Overton. “Of course, it’s an emotional process. But my family, especially my daughter and her husband, have helped. And the staff here is so good, too.”

We’re grateful for Overton’s leadership, both in the community through his role at the bank, and in our organization, with his role on the board. He continues to give through his gift of connecting with others and sharing his writing, and we’re honored to give back to him through our services.

FULTON PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3

Employee of the month

Congratulations to LPN Larry Martin, Fulton Presbyterian Manor’s employee of the month.

“Larry is always ready to help. He jokes and cheers us up. That means a lot. Larry always says, if you need help just ring the bell. He always makes us laugh. It’s nice to laugh,” said resident Abby Akers.

®

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

®

Return Service Requested

LIKE FULTON PRESBYTERIAN MANOR ON

Transition continued from page 2 and even hospice if necessary,” said Donna. “There can be a lot of fear and confusion when someone is coming here for the first time, or perhaps moving from one level of care to another. We’re here every step of the way, and we’re always willing to keep tweaking the situation until our resident’s needs are met. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ answer.”

Donna’s dedication to the residents helps ease the transition of moving to the Presbyterian Manor, and also in

COMMUNITY MATTERS SEPTEMBER 2016

between levels of care once here.

Each resident’s journey is customized to fit their needs and desires, and Donna wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m so blessed to be a part of their lives. I can contribute to their quality of life, and I’ve seen so many things and so many people have touched my life too.”

With as much time as she spends helping her “friends and family” Presbyterian Manor, Donna still

enjoys spending time with her own family, including her husband and grandson. They enjoy being outdoors, fishing, gardening, traveling, and even riding their Harley and flat track racing.

If you have questions or concerns about either coming to the Presbyterian Manor, or a situation you need addressed while you’re here, Donna is here to help. She can be reached at dhunter@pmma.org and 573-642-6646.