Kansas City Community Matters November 2014

Commun ty Matters Kansas City Presbyterian Manor

Our Veterans

Take me out to the tailgate

November 2014

Residents and employees enjoyed a Royals tailgate party.

Nov. 11 marks Veterans Day, a day to honor men and women for serving their country and to remember those who lost their lives. Our thanks to these Kansas City Presbyterian Manor veterans:

AIR FORCE

George Scholtz Tech Sergeant Good Conduct Medal Taught aircraft sheet metal

From left, Meryle Hotujac,Vera Hartman and Ethel Patterson eat ice cream from ball-cap bowls.

Charles Simma Sergeant Served three years

James Startz Sergeant 1942-45 Two years in England Maintenance on B-24

OUR VETERANS continued on page 4

Helping with the cookout are Housekeeping Supervisor Lillie Kelly, Environmental Services Director Bill Henry and Chef Bruno Sierra.

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

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

2 COMMUNITY MATTERS NOVEMBER 2014

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.

KANSAS CITY PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3

Getting to know four-legged Kansas critters

The F.L. Schagale Library presented Animals of Kansas to residents, including bringing hides and turtle shells to touch. Almeda Foulks feels the texture of coyote fur.

Tired of paper?

Sign up to get our newsletter by email.

Visit KansasCityPresbyterianManor.org and enter your email address in the blue box on the right.

Kansas City Presbyterian Manor 7850 Freeman Kansas City, KS 66112-2133 Return Service Requested

P

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

OUR VETERANS continued from page 1

ARMY

William Calloway Served in Germany after WWII Don Davis Staff Sergeant 1944-46 Fought in Battle of the Bulge Trained for the South Pacific but served in Berlin Was drafted on the day he graduated at 18 years old 4 COMMUNITY MATTERS NOVEMBER 2014

Glenn Hackathorn Stationed in Hawaii two years Claude Johnson Six years, four months and 22 days Korean War, stationed in Germany Robert Parra Combat Engineer Korean War Edward Stewart Corporal 1950-52 Korea

Emmett Tucker Sr. Staff Sergeant, Troop B, 10th Cavalry, Buffalo Soldiers, 1941-45 Intelligence Ops/Communications, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, Camp Lockett, North Africa, Italy, Europe MEDALS:Two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct, American Service, Sharp Rifle Shooter, Expert Pistol, European/Africa Middle Campaign Earl Albers Navy Shoe Repairman Eight months during WWII

NAVY