Newton Presbyterian Manor
AUGUST 2020
Change is constant, but so is God Ashley Sassi, RN, worked seven weeks in NYC during the pandemic. This is the view from the hospital where she worked.
Ashley Sassi on the frontline in fight against Coronavirus
In the opening months of the coronavirus’ spread throughout the United States, nowhere was harder hit than New York City. As the first official U.S. “hot spot” of the pandemic, New York’s healthcare system was overwhelmed, makeshift hospitals were established, and a call was sent out across the country for the help of additional doctors and nurses—a call that Ashley Sassi answered. For the Newton Presbyterian Manor nurse, the pandemic represented both a chance to help those in need and an opportunity to play a part in a monumental time in the nation’s history. “I became a nurse because I have a natural desire to help people,” said Ashley. “Plus, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I knew that if I didn’t take it, it would be something I would have regretted for the rest of my life.” FRONTLINE - continued on page 5
By Greg Schmidt, chaplain and bereavement coordinator, Heart & Soul Hospice
Benjamin Franklin said “… in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” He forgot to add one additional “for sure thing.” Change! Everyone’s life will change. Nothing will be constant. With every challenge—birth, celebration or achievement, and death—our lives are (sometimes dramatically) changed. And with each change, one can count on challenges that will push them to what they believe is the limit of their capability to embrace it. With most change we experience more joy and/or sadness than we ever imagined possible. CHAPLAIN - continued on page 6
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Bravo of the Month: Alex Ramos Bravo of the Month goes to Alex Ramos from Eleanor Abplanalp: “We are so lucky to have Alex Ramos employed here as our wellness director. He is such a caring person and is always ready to help out with any other jobs when needed at Newton Presbyterian Manor. “When COVID-19 was first announced, and Presbyterian Manor and the Garden Apartments were put in lockdown, Alex had the maintenance men bring one of the NuStep machines from the wellness center to the library. This was so helpful!” A group of neighbors signed another Bravo for Alex: “How can we express our thanks and appreciation for all that Alex Ramos does for us: activities, chauffeur, wellness director, meal deliverer and plant waterer. “He’s always concerned for us and is friendly and caring.”
Alex Ramos
—Lois Hamilton, Ruby Kleymann, Harold Johnson, Evelyn Gardner, Jerri Hampton and Eleanore Myers ◆
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 is posted to your community website, NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. In this issue of Community Matters, you’ll find an explanation of the phases of reopening and a flow chart showing all the entities contributing to our reopening plans. ◆
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NEWTON Presbyterian Manor
316-283-5400 ◆ Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2020
Community Matters
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.
Campus celebration for CNAs and CMAs CNA Week was another celebration with our employees. On Monday: “Be Kind” T-shirts were given to CNAs and CMAs. Tuesday: “We donut know what we would do without you.” Wednesday was a special boxed lunch prepared by dining services for all CNAs/CMAs. On Thursday the administrative team booked the Kona Ice truck to cool down the staff with a nice treat. Friday’s theme was “Thanks a LOTTO for all that you do!” We are blessed to have such a wonderful group of CNAs and CMAs! ◆
Clockwise from far left: Newton Presbyterian Manor treated CNAs and CMAs to boxed lunches. A close-up of the boxed lunch provided by Newton Presbyterian Manor’s food services department. The Kona Ice truck visited campus during CNA Week. The lunches included a thank you note with a handwritten compliment.
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Resident’s family sends ‘thank you’ to show appreciation during CNA Week Dad, Amy and I just wanted to thank you, with all our hearts, for the tender, loving care you show to all your residents. They actually seem more like your extended family with all the love you shower upon them!
We had to move Betty (Mom) to Newton Presbyterian Manor a year ago April, and from the first day she was there, we knew we had chosen the best place possible for her. My sister, Amy, and I were so sad that she was no longer living with my husband and me, for I was her caregiver. I called up to Anderson Place and asked someone if they
could please tuck her in on that first night, so she would not be scared. The loving and tender response I received from you alleviated our fears that night, and we knew she would be well-taken care of. We call up to Anderson frequently to ask requests, like turning on a radio or the TV for her, bringing her to the window and handing her the telephone so I can sing to her, waking her up and fluffing her hair for church, making certain she brushes her teeth, and on and on. The kind words we receive when we ask for something is so nice. No one ever sounds put out or upset
Father’s Day barbecue
that we are requesting something, yet again.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!!!! Your work is tireless and sometimes thankless. You give and give of yourselves with residents who need to be asked the same thing over and over again, at times . . . and you do it with love in your heart and patience in your tone of voice. May you realize that your work does not go unnoticed and is so much appreciated! —Julie Sparks, Amy Dick and Art Dick (Betty Dick’s family) ◆
Flatiron steaks with all the good barbecue fixins’ were on the Father’s Day menu for all on campus this year. Root beer floats also were served as a Dad’s Day treat.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2020
FRONTLINE - continued from page 1
For seven weeks, Ashley worked at Roosevelt Island in a temporary/ pop-up hospital that was established in some buildings connected to a nursing home. She worked for 21 straight days, got two days off and then worked another 29 days straight. The work was both physically and mentally exhausting as she witnessed an endless cycle of suffering and death, but she credits her ability to carry on to the support of all of her family, friends and co-workers back home.
her the opportunity to hone her individual skill set. “It really showed me how quickly everything can change in the field of nursing and how much can be done when we come together,” said Ashley. “It also enhanced my critical thinking skills as we had limited supplies and resources, and had to really think outside the box.” Back home, Ashley’s experience has reaffirmed her passion for nursing and has proven to her the true value of teamwork.
Her time in New York also taught Ashley some important lessons about her profession while giving
“Being a nurse is about caring. You have to care about what you do, have to care for those you serve and you have to care about your coworkers,” said Ashley. “It’s really a team effort. No one person has all the information in the world—we can always benefit from someone else’s perspective on things.” ◆
Ashley Sassi, RN, worked seven weeks in NYC during the pandemic.
While in New York City, Ashley witnessed the power of teamwork.
“Daily reminders that, ‘hey you can do this,’ ‘you’re doing good;’ all of that was very, very helpful.”
While in NYC, Ashley worked at a temporary hospital that was created by repurposing buildings and connecting them to an existing retirement community.
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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NEWTON Presbyterian Manor
1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 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.
CHAPLAIN - continued from page 1
walk beside us regardless of what we’re facing.
And in the midst of every gutwrenching disappointment, positive or negative change, miracle and/or rejection … the very essence of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit —simultaneously lives within us and walks beside us.
He’s not running when someone or something shatters our world … and we’re forced to change. He is never distracted. He never closes his eyes. Or looks the other way. When we are hemorrhaging— not simply bleeding—the Divine Physician is working. To repair. To bind up. To heal. To restore. To establish a new day. A new “normal.” And not because He has to love us, but because He wants us to know He’s never stopped loving us or longing for the very best for our life.
“I will never leave you or forsake you!” (Hebrews 13:5b; NRSV) Eugene Peterson’s “The Message” renders the passage “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you”, and then says “God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?” I think one of the obvious imports of the passage is that God longs to
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I want to believe that from God’s perspective, the tragedies and challenges of our lives are not about “surviving,”
COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2020
but about realizing that the incomprehensible greatness and life-giving power of His transformational love meets and exceeds our needs. Embrace that love. It’s there for everyone that reaches out … and picks it. Don’t be fooled into thinking there’s another way. There isn’t. Accept the gift of God’s love as He intends to give it. Why? For the opportunity to willingly and purposefully place your hand in His to begin … or revive … a relationship with Him. Receive His perfect peace … and to walk in the garden in the cool of the day …” as He did “in the beginning.” (Genesis 3:8, NIV) ◆