Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
JULY 2020
Ken and Pat Blair
Residents show support for the class of 2020 In May, our community had the opportunity to show support for this year’s college and high school graduates.
Sandy Brooks with one of her hand-sewn masks.
Sandy got the idea to make the masks when she saw there was a need. Senior living communities have difficulty purchasing personal protective
“I was thinking that there are so many stories of friends and families of senior living residents trying to communicate with the people living in the communities,” said Curtis Jones, sales and marketing director at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. “But there aren’t any stories of people living in senior living communities communicating to people outside of the campus. Our residents may just have something they want to say to the world.”
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Sandy Brooks sews for our safety Our community has been blessed with a number of volunteers who have sewn masks to keep our staff safe through the pandemic, with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in short supply. One seamstress is a familiar face around our campus. Sandy Brooks, a dining staff member for 10 years, has made 100 masks! “I really enjoyed making them. When I saw everyone wearing them, it just lit up my eyes. It made me feel really good that I could make them and donate them,” said Sandy.
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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equipment because the demand has outpaced the available supply of masks, gowns and other PPE. “I knew we were running low on masks at one time. I thought, ‘I could do that,’ but it wasn’t as easy as I thought. The elastic was a problem—I couldn’t get it! Joann Fabric and Craft Stores would only sell five yards at a time. They were limiting it when they had it in stock.
Caregiver support group to meet virtually August 20
“I could get 13 masks out of five yards. Some people gave me elastic, and I had some on hand. Otherwise, it went pretty fast,” said Sandy. While her resources may be running low, her enthusiasm is high for making more masks for the upcoming holiday. “I’m going to make more for the Fourth of July. Kohl’s has lots of flags and patriotic material. I cut it all up into masks and on the Fourth of July we can all wear them. I’m going to make about 80 masks.
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor and Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) are partnering to sponsor a virtual caregiver support group on the third Thursdays of each month.
VNA is a community-based organization that has served the Lawrence and Douglas County community for more than 50 years. “Originally, at the start of the pandemic, we thought that we would simply cancel these meetings and then reschedule once we were able to get back together in groups.
“I don’t sell them, I give them away. I don’t think making a profit on something like this is good, I just donate them,” said Sandy.
“However, after further discussion, we felt that the pandemic has put a whole new spin on the challenges of being a caregiver, so we wanted to continue to offer the support group,” said Curtis Jones, sales and marketing director.
Thank you, Sandy! We appreciate your time and talents in an effort to keep our community safe! ◆
The topic for the August meeting will be “The New Normal: Managing the Changing Roles of
Caregiving in a COVID World.” The group will meet using Zoom at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20. If you’d like to attend this virtual meeting, contact Kim Trupia, social services director at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, at 785-3710577 and the Zoom link will be emailed to you. Meetings start with a brief informational session on the topic for the evening, followed by a discussion where attendees are encouraged to talk openly about the topic. Monthly meetings may touch on such topics as dementia, coping with the holidays or changes in roles (i.e. an adult child becoming caregiver for a parent). Caregivers from the community as well as family members of residents are invited to attend. ◆
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LAWRENCE Presbyterian Manor 785-841-4262 ◆ Fax: 785-841-0923 1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 LawrencePresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: cjones@PMMA.org. Christie Patrick, executive director Curtis Jones, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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And they did! “We sent out a flier that explained what we were doing, and we asked for volunteers to appear in the video. They felt sorry for the graduating seniors who might have gotten short-changed on their graduation year, so they were eager to help and appear in the video. They wanted to send a message and wish the graduates good luck,” said Curtis. Putting the video together was a team effort. Employees in activities and dining staff made posters for the residents to show on the video. Angela Fonseca, administrative manager, and Curtis shot the video. Then the footage was given to Curtis Jones’ 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, who made it into a video. Congrats to all graduates! Be sure to check out the video on the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor Facebook page that was posted May 24. ◆
Ellie Unruh
Jo Doles
Barbara Schaible Lawrence Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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LAWRENCE Presbyterian Manor
1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
COVID-19 updates continue
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, LawrencePresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. Get the latest information about visitation and restrictions on deliveries and learn more about PMMA’s infection control efforts to contain COVID-19 across the PMMA system. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020