Clay Center Community Matters 2021

Clay Center Presbyterian Manor

We can’t do it without you!

OCTOBER 2021

Finding a PATH® to well-being after a medical emergency Pat Altwegg still isn’t sure exactly what happened in the first week of June.

She knows that she passed out and saw only white. After trying to secure a bed in area hospitals, she ended up at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

“I don’t remember much of it, because I wasn’t conscious,” Pat said. “I don’t know how many days it was. My husband and daughter tracked where I was going. I know they came to get me and take me to Clay Center Presbyterian Manor, and I was relieved to be coming back to my home area. When they said I was going home, I didn’t feel scared. Before then, I was frightened.”

Once at Presbyterian Manor, staff — including the Aegis therapists in the Post-Acute to Home ® (PATH) program — started developing a care plan for Pat, with a goal of restoring her to full mobility and function.

Path – continued on page 2

Volunteers and donors are critical to helping Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America® (PMMA) achieve the mission of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values. We seek to enhance all aspects of our volunteer program and grow philanthropy. Each PMMA® Community Mission Committee is comprised of volunteers who are responsible for supporting and enhancing the services provided by PMMA senior living communities through volunteer activities and fundraising efforts.

For those who serve on the mission committee, it’s a rewarding opportunity to give back to their community.

“My dad was at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor for a few years, and they took great care of him,” Cathy Affolter said about her reason for serving. “I wanted to give back, so when a previous committee member asked me to take their spot, I was in!”

“I work with the Manor quite often, so I wanted to support their community in any way I could,” said Preston Rook, another member.

To learn more about our Mission Committee, and how you can volunteer, contact Dani Kuhlman, marketing director, at 785-6325456.

Pat Altwegg, right, shares her PATH therapy goals, with a little help from Russ Geyer, Aegis therapist.

All PMMA volunteers are subject

Volunteers – continued on page 4

Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at ClayCenterPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Path – continued from page 1 “I was in critical care,” Pat said. “I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t hardly talk. They made this home for me and got me settled. And that sort of brought me back to life. They helped me walk, and they had me in therapy. And it couldn’t have been any better. My family was nearby. It was a miracle.”

She’s shown remarkable progress in the months since her medical event.

“We try to find out about the patient’s past history,” Laura said.

“Their past occupations, what they like to do, and we try to bring some of those elements into our therapy treatment. We try to do things that are familiar to them — and it’s motivating, because it doesn’t seem like exercise.”

They also credited Wellness Instructor Kristen Pedigo for her role in Pat’s recovery.

“She gives residents the opportunity to work on daily living skills and “When Pat first came here, she was mobility and gives them something so debilitated that the caregivers to look forward to,” Laura said. “She and us had to use a total lift to is very creative by facilitating special transfer her from one position to programs to make things fun ... She another,” said Russ Geyer, a started a walking club and is therapist with Aegis. “Within four planning an upcoming activity with or five days, she was up a football theme.” transferring with a walker.”

The goal of PATH is to return Russ and fellow therapist Laura patients to the mobility and function Gibbs explained how they work they had before a medical event that closely with each patient to requires hospitalization. Through develop a plan that meets the PATH, doctors, caregivers, family individual’s needs. They work to members and social workers understand the patient’s current collectively design a treatment plan level of mobility and function as and follow up with assessments to well as what life was like before the ensure the patient is on track. incident.

“Our goal is to return the patient to “What Laura and I do, we work prior function, if possible,” Russ said. very closely with the patient,” Russ “Even if the patient is not able to said. “We understand what return home, we still try to get them movement she has, and we to be as functional as possible and as encourage whatever movement safe as possible,” Laura said. “It’s a she can do — and to do as much win if they can return to doing as they can themselves.”

anything they want to do on their own.”

In Pat’s case, she can see just how far she’s come in a relatively short time thanks to the help and care she received at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor. Yet Russ and Laura emphasize that Pat’s attitude and determination played a large role in her progress.

“I was frightened,” Pat said. “The way I was, I was just a blob. You have so much you’d like to regain back — to think that even today I’ve come that far. When I first arrived, I just prayed to God that he’d take me, because I couldn’t live that lifestyle.

But there was something that told me everything would be OK. It was a spiritual experience for me.”

In Pat’s case, Russ and Laura said, she’s been able to move from the health care area to assisted living and “she is free to go out with her husband Bob and they can do what they want.”

“This week, we’re going to see Big Boy in Abilene,” Pat said about an early September trip to see the famous steam locomotive. “It’s in Kansas now, and will be rolling through.”

For more information about the PATH program, contact Dani Kuhlman at 785-632-5646 or dpounds@pmma.org. u

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Community Matters 785-632-5646 u Fax: 785-632-5874 924 Eighth St. Clay Center, KS 67432-2620 ClayCenterPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2021

is published monthly for residents and friends of Clay Center Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: dpounds@PMMA.org Morgan Burton, executive director Dani Kuhlman, marketing director

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

Saying yes has led to a lifetime of happiness In Verna Lee Musselman’s life, quilting is more than a project and more than a collection of materials sewn together in a certain order.

“I’m happy as a lark when I’m sitting at my sewing machine,” Verna said.

“You can really chase away a lot of blues, and when you’re done, you have something beautiful in your hands.”

That sunny disposition, mixed with a great deal of talent and skill, landed her a first place, people’s choice, and local best of show award for her Log Cabin Flower Garden quilt in this year’s Art is Ageless® competition. The quilt also was selected at the masterpiece level competition to appear in the 2022 Art is Ageless calendar.

“I got a purple, blue and yellow ribbon,” Verna said. “This is the second one I’ve had make it to the calendar. I got a very nice letter that told me about winning and all. This year, I have to be humble — they didn’t have as many entries in our local manor.”

Verna began quilting in 1987, primarily as a way to keep herself busy during moments of tension.

From there, she started making quilts to raffle off at family reunions.

“My brother from Texas gave me a kit he bought at a garage sale in Mesquite,” Verna said of her awardwinning quilt. “Every piece in there was already cut — all I had to do was put it together. I can almost call that one my pandemic quilt. I started it in September, but it was

Verna Lee Musselman quilted her way to happiness and a spot in the 2022 Art is Ageless® calendar.

into the next year before I finished it. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.”

Throughout the years, Verna figures she’s produced well more than 100 quilts.

“I worked at the senior center here in town, and I think I made one all 11 years to sell chances on,” Verna said. “I even made a quilt or two for our Mexican supper. I guess you might call me an entrepreneur. I just say it’s too easy to say yes. ‘Verna Lee, will you do this?’ Why, yes, I will.”

She also works with the Linus Project, which creates quilts to give to children in distress, often as a result of child abuse or neglect, and she’s active with the local quilting guild.

But there’s one quilt that hasn’t yet been done.

“My husband Leon and I have only been married 55 years,” Verna laughed. “We have three children, seven grandchildren, and a little great-grandson. I’ll tell you — he doesn’t have his baby quilt yet, and he’s nearly 2 years old. What’s the matter with grandma?” u

Help us celebrate these October birthdays Patricia Altwegg: Oct. 17 Clanora Taylor: Oct. 19 Delores Germann: Oct. 26 Clay Center Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Volunteers – continued from page 1

to qualification based on screening and/or background checks.

Qualifications Passionate about promoting the mission of PMMA and has an interest in fundraising strategic planning.

Demonstrated interest in promoting volunteerism.

Interest, knowledge, and influence in the community with personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion to support the community. u

Please consider joining us and making a difference in the lives of seniors!

Committed to Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America and its values.

Understands the organization’s objectives, services, and the responsibilities and relationships of working with donors, volunteers and partners.

Diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals.

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Mission committee: Cathy Affolter, Preston Rook, Morgan Burton and Dani Kuhlman

COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2021