Kansas City Community Matters January 2015

Commun ty Matters Kansas City Presbyterian Manor

Help recognize activity pros

Upcoming events:

Veterans honored

Kansas City Presbyterian Manor was privileged to have Fort Leavenworth Air Force and Army majors on campus to recognize our resident veterans on Nov. 13. Residents received a certificate of honor, a flag and flag pin.

Harry Stephens - Airman 1st Class US Air Force is recognized for his service.

Join us in celebrating all of the hard work, dedication and passion of our activity employees Jan. 18 to 24 as we recognize “National Activity Professional Week.”

Join us for a four-week series of presentations by the Kansas State University Extension Office on nutrition and wellness. Watch your activities calendar for dates and times.

JAN. 7: Quarterly Memorial Service at 10 a.m. in the chapel JAN. 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at 2 p.m. in the chapel

JAN. 29: Kansas Day presentation by the F.L. Schlagel Library at 2 p.m. in the chapel

See activity calendars for weekly exercise programs in all neighborhoods.

January 2015

George Schultz served in the U S Air Force.

US Army veteran, Robert Parra received recognition for his service.

HIPAA 101

A simple question doesn’t always have a simple answer. “Why did my friend go to the hospital?” seems to be a simple question, but the answer is blocked by a federal law.

While most think of the law as the protector of medical records, privacy isn’t even in its name.

We call it HIPAA (pronounced HIP-pah), but the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 also has been known as the Kassebaum-Kennedy Act or Kennedy-Kassebaum Act. Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum, RKan., was a leading sponsor of the bill, along with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Kansas City Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org Peatric Gordon, executive director Charley Lewis, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Charley at clewis@pmma.org.

Telephone: 913-334-3666 Fax: 913-334-2904 Address: 7850 Freeman, Kansas City, KS 66112-2133 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

KansasCityPresbyterianManor.org

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The official explanation is: “An Act To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.”

The main intent was that the health industry would save money by computerizing paper records. That led to concerns over privacy, which led to new privacy regulations.

Protected Health Information Protected Health Information, called PHI, is any information about a person’s health status, any health services provided to the person and any payment specifics about those services. Details of your medical record may not be shared without your consent. That’s one reason there are so many forms to sign at the doctor’s office nowadays. They must have your consent to process your visit for billing, insurance purposes, etc.

That is also why it is so difficult to obtain information about friends in the hospital. Their condition, the reason they are in the hospital, even their names, are considered part of their medical record and subject to strict HIPAA regulations. Violations result in expensive fines, and health care workers are required to receive training on how to keep all medical information safe.

Here are some key privacy points: • When your health information is shared, only the minimum necessary should be disclosed.

• Health information is to be used only for health purposes. Without your

consent, it can’t be used to help banks decide whether to give you a loan or by potential employers to decide whether to give you a job.

• If someone wants to share your health information, you have to give your formal consent.

• You can ask for copies of all this information and make appropriate changes to it.You also can ask for a history of any unusual disclosures.

• Your health care provider and insurance company must explain how they’ll use and disclose health information. (Information from WebMD.) Retirement community regulations Retirement communities that provide state-licensed services, such as assisted living and health care, must abide by the strict privacy regulations.

Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America employees receive training and updates regularly. Vendors also are trained to ensure resident privacy is maintained.

PMMA employees know they are not to chat about residents in the hallways – or anywhere – because that violates their privacy protections.

The privacy laws are why health care staff can’t talk to other residents about the people in their care. It’s not that they are being unhelpful or that they don’t care about your feelings. They are required to keep the information confidential.

Another key component of the privacy rules that affect health care residents is that the “information” may not be linked to an individual. In the rules, “information” includes photos of faces. That’s why we ask residents to sign consent forms when we take pictures for our newsletters, web sites and other marketing purposes.

HIPAA 101 continued on page 3

PMMA’s focus turns to the future in 1990s

This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica celebrates 65 years of the art of life.

recognitions from the Kansas Association of Homes for the Aging.

Wichita Presbyterian That year, the “Tradition of Caring” capital campaign also Manor won the kicked off with a goal of $6.4 million. The first leg of the Excellence in Service campaign was conducted in Emporia, where $600,000 was and the Recognition raised. Each campus had its own campaign to raise funds awards. The service toward the $6.4 million goal. The campaigns raised funds to award recognized Wichita’s ethics committee, which led meet current Good Samaritan Program needs and provide a to the campus working to become “restraint free” before future endowment for Good Samaritan needs, assist in the movement became popular around the country. covering debt service and provide capital improvements at Lawrence and Salina also received recognition awards, PMMA campuses. which signify high marks in the Department of Health and Local volunteers in Fort Scott, Kan., led efforts to raise Environment’s annual survey of Kansas nursing facilities. funds for a new retirement complex. The “Time to Secure Newton received the Innovation of the Year Award for the the Future” campaign set out to raise $500,000 in base Apple-A-Day preschool, which opened in January 1992. contributions toward the construction of a 40-unit In July 1993, Dr. Mary Carman became chairperson of the residential complex in Fort Scott. The land was donated by PMMA board of trustees. Carman, who served on the American States Insurance Company. Construction began advisory council at Newton in the 1980s, was a in December 1992. Jane O’Bryan was named the first professional psychologist on staff at Prairie View. She was administrator. instrumental in the creation of one of the first special care Also in 1992, four Presbyterian Manor campuses— units for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other Wichita, Newton, Salina and Lawrence—received forms of dementia at the Newton Presbyterian Manor campus.

In 1990, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America moved into a new corporate office building in northeast Wichita, and Manor of the Plains in Dodge City opened.

The 40-unit residential complex in Fort Scott started construction in 1992.

Architects drawing of the Fort Scott campus.

HIPAA 101 continued from page 2

Family concerns Information from AARP explains that health care staff can discuss conditions and treatments with family members, but you must give

written permission for your loved ones to see your official medical records. It’s a good idea for older adults to have their adult children sign a letter or form designating them as a personal

representative in case the need arises. This will give the health care providers the coverage they require to avoid HIPAA violations, according to AARP. KANSAS CITY PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3

Cool ways to beat the winter blues: Keep your energy high and mood lifted

With less daylight and chilly temperatures keeping us inside, even the most optimistic person can get a little down during winter. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to beat the winter blues. Try these suggestions from our Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America experts.

Eat a healthy diet What you eat impacts your mood and energy. Avoid refined and processed foods, such as white breads, rice and sugar. They have no nutrients, zap your energy and can lead to lack of

concentration and mood swings. Eat more complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat breads, brown rice, vegetables and fruit, and drink eight cups of water a day.

Try to spend a few minutes each day “doing nothing.” Read a book or magazine, listen to music, try meditation or take a yoga class. Relaxation can alleviate stress and leave you with a calm energy.

Relax

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES

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BEAT THE WINTER BLUES continued

Laugh Watch more of your favorite funny movies!

Reach out Maintaining relationships is an

important part of successful aging. Don’t be afraid to ask for encouragement when you need it. Making a phone call or sending an e-mail can brighten your mood.

Get enough sleep Aim for seven to eight hours a night, and try to keep your bedtime consistent. A short afternoon nap of 10 to 30 minutes may energize your day.

Make a plan Having something to look forward to can help keep you motivated. If you plan something stimulating, your mood improves when you’re 4 COMMUNITY MATTERS JANUARY 2015

anticipating it and when the event rolls around. Plan something that’s exciting to you – a weekend trip, a day at the spa, or attending a concert or sporting event.

Exercise Exercise doesn’t just help you stay healthy, it’s great for relieving stress by releasing “feel-good chemicals.”

The effects of a good workout can last for several hours.You’ll have more energy and your metabolism with stay elevated.

Get some sun Lack of sunlight can cause some people to become depressed without knowing why. Similar to exercise, sunlight exposure releases neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood. Try to spend more time outdoors, and wear sunscreen every time you go out. Keep your shades up during the day to let more light in. Sit near windows, and turn on more lamps.