Newton Presbyterian Manor
APRIL 2021
For Betty Eller, home is where the art is A little over a year ago, Betty Eller and her husband, Marvin, decided it was time to downsize and live a quieter, simpler life. Having become acquainted with Newton Presbyterian Manor resident Eleanore Myers, the couple began inquiring about the availability of houses at the community and were intrigued when they heard about a property that had recently been renovated.
Betty stands in her guest bedroom with her art that will be on display in a shared exhibit “Eleanore said that it was the executive director’s house at one time at the Carriage Factory Gallery and was something we might want to in September. She has spent 4-6 look at it,” said Betty. “When we did, hours, 6 days a week to get these we just fell in love with it.” ready. One of the house’s main selling features was the usefulness of its space. As a lifelong artist and fervent art lover, Betty was immediately drawn to the potential to both create her own work and display the work of others. Along with previously being the residence of the executive director, the house had also doubled as the headquarters of the Society of Decorative Painters. One remnant of this past life is the pegboard that covers the basement walls—a feature that Betty and Marvin have used to display the artwork they acquired while running their own gallery and frame shop in ELLER - continued on page 2
Newton Presbyterian Manor Receives 2021 Customer Experience Award from Pinnacle Quality Insight Newton Presbyterian is proud to announce that they are the recipient of Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2021 Customer Experience AwardTM. Qualifying for the award for independent living and assisted living, Newton Presbyterian Manor displays a continued dedication to providing Best in Class senior healthcare services. “The Customer Experience Award reflects our employees’ hard work to live out our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Marc Kessinger, executive director. “After a year unlike any other, to get a recognition like this due to AWARD - continued on page 3
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pandemic,” said Betty.
Colorado.
And to prove that something good can come out of a once-ina-lifetime pandemic, Betty plans on entering three of the pieces she created this past year in the upcoming Art is Ageless competition.
Another of the house’s unique features is a small room off to the side that Betty has turned into a studio. “It’s perfect for me,” said Betty. “I can shut the door and not worry about the mess.” Inspired by her new surroundings, Betty’s work has been invigorated. “I’ve experimented, trying different things I’ve never done before. It’s been a rewarding experience,” said Betty. She’s also found that having a dedicated space where she could retreat to and immerse herself in her work has been especially helpful during this day and age of quarantining and social distancing. “It has been a lifesaver for me in the
This will be the second time Betty will enter the competition. Last Resident and artist Betty Eller works in her year, she had one of her studio at home with Bobo the cat. paintings featured on a to the community, Betty has notecard—an accolade quickly become one of its biggest that fueled her creative drive. proponents. “It spurred me to get started and “I think it’s an awesome program,” really get into it again,” said Betty. said Betty. “Just because you get to “It was a real encouragement for be 65 doesn’t mean you’re through me.” living or don’t have abilities that Having never heard of the Art is you can expand and continue Ageless program before moving living.” ◆
COVID-19 updates continue Get the latest updates on visitation status, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website at communitywebsite.org/ covid-19. Visitation status is updated weekly on Mondays and as needed as our COVID status changes. You can also send a message to any resident with the Art is Ageless® e-greeting cards. Find a link on the COVID-19 update page.
With vaccine distribution, internal restrictions are starting to loosen, allowing health care and assisted living residents to forgo quarantine if they leave the campus for physician appointments and other activities as long as they are not gone longer than 7 midnights. If an absence is longer than 7 days, the resident is required to quarantine and undergo COVID-19 testing. There will be no quarantine requirement for independent living residents who leave the community for an outing. ◆ Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Community Matters 316-283-5400 ◆ Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2021
is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: ndickinson@PMMA.org Marc Kessinger, executive director Noelle Dickinson, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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the faith and trust of our residents and their families, is very rewarding for the team.” Throughout its 72-year history of serving the community, Newton Presbyterian Manor has placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that the individual needs of every resident are met. Over the course of 2020, a sampling of Newton Presbyterian Manor’s customers and their families have participated in monthly telephone interviews that include open-ended questions, as well as the opportunity to rate
Newton Presbyterian Manor in specific categories. Every month, Newton Presbyterian Manor has gathered its real-time survey results to gain a better understanding of the residents’ needs and make improvements when necessary. By qualifying for the Pinnacle Customer Experience Award™, Newton Presbyterian Manor has satisfied the rigorous demand of scoring in the top 15% of the nation across a 12-month average. Independent living residents and their families rated Newton
Presbyterian Manor in the top 15 percent in overall satisfaction, quality of food, response to problems, demonstrating dignity and respect, communication, move-in process and overall customer experience. Assisted living residents and their families also rated the community highly in demonstrating dignity and respect and meeting transportation needs. For more information about assisted living at Newton Presbyterian Manor, contact Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 or ndickinson@pmma.org. ◆
PMMA Founder’s Day honors its heroes and 72 years of heritage Employees of Newton Presbyterian Manor will observe the founding of PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America) this month as the company salutes its heroes and heritage.
PMMA’s roots go back to 1947. Alice Kalb, a widow from central Kansas, appealed to a Presbyterian Church organization to establish a home for seniors. Her vision laid the foundation for the first Presbyterian Manor community in Newton, Kan., and inspired others to do even more. Through the many decades, PMMA remained true to the spirit of Alice’s vision, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values. Each Founder’s Day, staff members re-commit to live our mission by signing the “WE PROMISE” board that lists the pillars to the mission: respecting that seniors retain their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; assisting residents
with specific needs; providing compassionate service; serve as a trusted resource; and, advocating for seniors.
“Our nearly 2,000 employees view what they do as a calling,” said Bruce Shogren, president and CEO. “Our dedicated employees make it possible for us to sustain PMMA’s mission, as well as its heritage. I believe Alice would be very proud.” Alice Kalb’s dream has turned into a network of 15 senior living communities and two hospices across Kansas and Missouri. A new senior living community is under development in Colorado Spring. PMMA remains true to its core and mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. For more information about Newton Presbyterian Manor, contact Noelle Dickinson, marketing director, at 316-2835400 or ndickinson@pmma.org. ◆
National Pizza Day was a hit with a variety of choices from Papa John’s, Dominoes and Pizza Hut.
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1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Bravo of the Month: Sarah Schmitt
Bravo of the Month goes to Sarah Schmitt, life enrichment assistant in Haury Place. Melinda Ebersole writes, “Sarah will jump in wherever she is needed. You can tell she loves her job and her residents by the bounce in her step! She is always upbeat and ready to make someone smile. Yesterday we had a couple of family members want to do an outside visit due to the great weather. Sarah jumped right in to make sure those visits happened. She made a lot of people smile yesterday, as she does every day! Thanks, Sarah!” ◆
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Remodeling update: March has been asbestos removal time, with the middle of the building from the elevator to the walkway to the Garden apartments completely sealed off. We’re so thankful for the vision of Christena Bowen who left a legacy gift to start the dream of this remodel, and for PMMA that committed internal funds to make a fresh dining and common space a reality. Stay tuned for updates on the project and ways you can get involved!