Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
Art is Ageless® exhibit, reception to feature local senior artists Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity. This month, their works are on display at Manor of the Plains. “It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Kurt Lampe, Marketing Director at Manor of the Plains. AIA, continued on page 4
March 2019
Tammy Thompson was promoted to director of nursing at the beginning of this year.
New title, familiar face Say hello to our new Director of Nursing, Tammy Thompson. Tammy is no stranger to Manor of the Plains. She first started working here in 2002 as a CNA, then CMA while she was going through nursing school. She left in 2007 for about nine years but returned in 2016 as a part-time nurse. She officially took the title of Director of Nursing on January 2. “I have been welcomed by staff and residents,” said Tammy. “Long term care has always been a part of my life as my mom has been a CNA for many years, so I grew up around senior communities. I recently found a quote that says, ‘It’s a beautiful thing when a passion and career come together.’ This speaks to me because of my love for caring for the residents.” Tammy grew up in Bucklin, Kan., where she graduated from high school THOMPSON, continued on page 2
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in 1999. She moved to Dodge City in 2002 and has a nursing background that includes longterm care, home health and surgical services. In her new role, Tammy oversees nursing duties while also interacting with staff, residents, doctors and families. When she’s not spending time with her family, Tammy’s free time is spent baking and crafting. “I decorate cakes for family and friends,” she said. Tammy and her husband, James, will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in June. They have two daughters, Kenadie and Kaitlyn.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Thank you, angel appeal donors Established in the 1950s, the Good Samaritan Program provides funding to assist residents who outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own. Since the inception of our mission, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America has ensured thousands of residents of its commitment that they will always have a home. To continue to meet the growing need among seniors in our communities, we invited donors to become an “angel for a day” by making a contribution to the Good Samaritan Program over the Christmas holiday. In exchange for a donation to this program, a bell was placed on our Christmas tree as a reminder of their generosity. The 2018 Angel Appeal raised $4,385 for the Good Samaritan Program in our community! We are honored by the staff and residents who so strongly identify with the heart of Presbyterian Manor’s mission that they give to the fund. Thank you, angels, for donating to the 2018 Angel Appeal!
Mrs. Emma Albers Mr. and Mrs. Justin Banning Mrs. W. Alverna Cantrell Coast Health Services, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Demuth Mrs. Doris Fowler Mr. Neil and Mrs. Karol Graham Mr. and Mrs. Patric Hamit Mrs. Floris J. Hampton Mrs. Betty J. Herrman Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Herrman Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Honnold Mrs. Margaret E. Klenke Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Charles Markel Msgr. Brian R. Moore Mr. and Mrs. John N. Oringderff Mr. Phil Schaffer Mr. John P. Slaven Ms. Jane Woolf Ms. Suzanne Zimmerman
Michael Rajewski, executive director Kurt Lampe, marketing director Lisa Montoya, activity assistant Jacque Soltero, health care activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kurt at klampe@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-225-1928 Fax: 620-225-3982 Address: 200 Campus Dr., Dodge City, KS 67801-2760
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ManorOfThePlains.org
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Community Matters March 2019
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You’re never too old, busy or rusty to make music By Amy Nathan, Next Avenue Do you ever wish you knew how to play a musical instrument? If so, you are not alone.Yet a 2012 National Endowment for the Arts survey found that just 12 percent of U.S. adults were playing musical instruments. This gap between aspiration and actuality occurs despite research showing that making music, as a pro or amateur, is good for the brain and may delay the onset of some of the mental decline of aging. Scans of musicians’ brains have shown that playing an instrument involves greater communication among regions of the brain than with other tasks, which may lead a musician’s brain to create new neural pathways. Those extra pathways may provide musicians with “cognitive reserve” when dementia strikes because their brains “will automatically be more able to cope and find new ways to do tasks,” explains Canadian neuroscientist Aline Moussard. Carving out time for music Given this tantalizing research, why haven’t more adults followed through on their desire to play an instrument? Some have said they had no time to spare. However, the time needed may not be as much as one might think, according to 274 adults who told me—as part of my research for a new book, “Making Time for Making Music”—how they carve out time to make music. Ranging in age from 25 to 96, most of them play instruments and a quarter play instruments and Like us on Facebook
sing in choral groups. About five percent don’t practice music at home but still enjoy being part of a community ensemble or choir. About a quarter practice only one or two days a week. Of those who do practice, about 15 percent spend 30 minutes or less a week, often finding ways to shoehorn practice into spare moments. Those who practice more may make more progress, but as Liz Sogge, a Baltimore statistician who plays violin in the Johns Hopkins University Concert Orchestra notes, “There is nothing wrong with never playing at the level of a worldclass violinist.” Music lessons are another timeeater, particularly for newcomers or those who haven’t studied music for years. But there are lower-cost group classes and ensembles that try to speed up the learning process. New Horizons International Music Association has more than 200 such ensembles geared to adults age 50 and over that help newcomers make music as quickly as possible. Only half of the adults I surveyed are taking lessons, with half of them doing so weekly, the rest less often.
‘You feel as if you are soaring’ A lack of confidence in their musical abilities may hold back some wouldbe musicmakers, caused by feelings left over from less-than-positive childhood musical experiences. It is possible to reboot as an adult by trying a different instrument or type of music, finding beginner-friendly ensembles and realizing that recitals are optional. Some adults may also be unaware of the many new opportunities available now. Music schools began expanding their adult programming as boomers started nearing retirement age. Adults currently make up about 25 percent of the enrollment at Baltimore’s Peabody Institute’s Preparatory Division. Once adults make the plunge, it’s not neurological research that spurs them to make it to an ensemble rehearsal. Instead, it’s the joy they find there, as violinist and Washington, D.C., arts fundraiser Maya Weil notes. “When you are playing with others and it is going well, you feel as if you are soaring.” Manor of the Plains
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Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
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“The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Dodge City community.” The Art is Ageless exhibit will feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including a few Manor of the Plains residents. The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of acrylics, oils, photography and various other mediums, ranging from amateur to professional levels. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 18-20. In addition to the exhibit, Manor of the Plains will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.
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Community Matters March 2019
In Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we have partnered with Pinnacle Quality Insight. This company will periodically contact the people we serve via telephone to conduct an interview regarding their impression of our service. We use this feedback as a tool to continually improve our quality of care and enhance our relationships. When you are contacted to participate in the survey, they will always identify themselves specifically as being with Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. We greatly value your opinions and encourage you to be frank and honest when contacted.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
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