Newton Community Matters July 2020

Newton Presbyterian Manor

JULY 2020

Newton Presbyterian Manor awarded $10,000 grant from BCBS of Kansas Newton Presbyterian Manor has been awarded the “Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Achievement Grant” from BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas for $10,000.

We love our nurses and hope they felt the love during Nurses Week!

In the spotlight: Erika Long

As we continue to celebrate Year of the Nurse, we’re putting the spotlight on Erika Long, a nurse in our community who is dedicated to our residents and the Presbyterian Manor mission.

Assisted Living LPN: Erika Long How long have you worked at Newton Presbyterian Manor?

Since March 1, 2019 What made you choose to become a nurse?

I chose to become a nurse after my uncle received poor health care NURSE - continued on page 5

“I was inspired to apply for this grant because I have really enjoyed working with WorkWell Kansas and BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas. I truly believe in their mission of creating healthier worksites for all employees.

Looking within our PMMA community, we have so much potential to make some much needed improvements to our oncampus Wellness Center. After hearing about the opportunity that presented itself, I knew right away it was something we were going to apply for,” said Alex Ramos, wellness director at Newton Presbyterian Manor.

The application process for this grant started in the fall of 2018.

To be applicable for the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Achievement AWARD - continued on page 6

Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Bravo of the Month: Mariah McDonald

Bravo of the Month goes to Mariah McDonald, CNA in Claassen House.

Co-worker Meagan Blackwell says, “Thanks for coming over to Haury and helping answer call lights when I was in the living room. You’re the best!” Brittany Jaso also wrote, “Every time I have worked a double for 1st and 2nd in the last few weeks, there has been a call-in for 3rd shift.

Mariah has offered to stay until 2 a.m. every time without hesitation.

Let’s not forget that Mariah was still a senior in high school, working on finals and applying for many scholarships for college. I genuinely enjoy working with her. She has a special bond with every single resident and their faces light up when she interacts with them, every time. She will sing to them, make them laugh, and make them feel so very loved. Watching Mariah care for her residents is a real treat. Keep up all of your hard work, Mariah, and keep your positivity. You brighten up the place with your bubbly personality!” Congratulations, Mariah! ◆

Mariah McDonald, CNA

A word of thanks... from Noelle Dickinson

I want each of you to know how much your kindness, concern and prayers have meant to me these months since my husband Craig passed away so unexpectedly on Super Bowl Sunday. Cards, notes and emails have come at just the right time to shore me up along the way. I look forward to the time when I can see many more of you over a cup of coffee in my office. Won’t it be great when hugs are back in fashion? God’s unexplainable peace has become so real to my boys and me. We count on it as we lean on Jesus. I hope you find strength in leaning, too.

Thank you, Noelle

Sombreros off to our Life Enrichment team! They are willing to do what it takes to bring joy to our campus. It’s hard to see, but they are all smiles under those masks!

Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

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 | July 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.

Above: This is the tallest and fullest our pompom bush has ever grown.

Our (quite tall) Executive Director Marc Kessinger agreed to stand in the photo for a reference point.

Above: Our mallards found the best place to make their nest ... right under the front windows of our main building! The pair must have noticed that the front doors were closed to guests and the ramped sidewalks posed no threat to their growing family.

Left: Executive Director Marc Kessinger took to the streets to have driveway, porch and floor visits with groups of campus neighbors.

It was good to connect in person to give updates and answer questions.

Campus connections and great neighbors are some of the most appreciated benefits of living on the Newton Presbyterian Manor campus, not to mention the ease of having a green lawn with no effort!

Isn’t it time you gave yourself permission to check out the options? With all independent residences full, getting on the reservation list is an important step. Call Noelle Dickinson, director of marketing, at 316-2835400 or email her at ndickinson@ pmma.org to get your application in line. These neighbors will tell you it’s well worth the wait!

Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Technology brings residents and families together during pandemic Even though residents have been restricted from having family and friends visit during the pandemic, technology is making face-to-face time possible, keeping connections safe and meaningful.

“We have several families that will FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom with us so they are able to see their loved ones,” said Melinda Ebersole, life enrichment director/ volunteer coordinator. “We had one resident that was able to attend his daughter’s graduation party through Zoom and another resident met her great-grandson using FaceTime. One resident was able to keep up with the growing stages of his daughter’s baby goat and the size of his grandson’s latest catch. We also have several spouses that haven’t been away from each other for this long before, so with the virtual calls, they are able to see each other face to face even though it’s not in person.”

have our residents happy and safe that we want to help everyone stay in contact with each other,” said Melinda.

To schedule a call with a resident at Newton Presbyterian Manor, email Melinda at mebersole@pmma.org or call 316-284-5927.

“We like to have the calls scheduled so that we aren’t double booking the calls with doctor appointments or other family calls, but we also understand the desire to speak to your loved one at a drop of a dime and will do our best to make those calls happen. I really encourage everyone to give it a try at least one time,” said Melinda. ◆

Clara Koehn had the great joy of meeting her great grandson through a FaceTime call. It was a very special moment and she was so happy to be able to meet him.

Video chats are also making visits with the doctor safer and more convenient.

“We aren’t having our residents go out for doctor visits, so the residents are able to stay in the comfort of their own home and have a doctor visit. It has worked out really well for everyone,” said Melinda.

Ginny Usher celebrates her birthday with three of her children who were spread out across the U.S.

Overall, using technology to stay connected has been a win-win for residents and their loved ones.

“It’s amazing to see how the residents light up when they see their loved ones, even if it is on a screen. It is so important to us to

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020

Willard Weide uses video to see how big the fish was that his grandson caught.

Willard Weide FaceTimes his daughter every week to see how much her baby goat has grown.

NURSE - continued from page 1

because of him being incarcerated and that contributed to his death at the age of 34.

When did you know you wanted to become a nurse?

I knew from when I was little that I wanted to help people, and when I was old enough to really know what a nurse was, I knew right then that that was what I wanted to do.

What drew you to work in longterm care?

I think that they are our foundation. The things that they

have gone through and seen, I think that it is their time to be taken care of and not have to worry about things like they have their whole lives. They are at a point in their lives where they truly need us, whether that is a family sense for them or for health reasons.

If someone asked you what the BEST thing about being a nurse was, what would you say?

I would say the aspect of hopefully making a difference in someone’s life and that you are there for them on their good and bad days and they see that and may not have that in their life without you. ◆

Erika Long, Assisted Living LPN

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, NewtonPresbyteiranManor.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. ◆

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.

AWARD - continued from page 1

Grant, communities must commit to partnering with the BCBSKS Pathways team for four years to receive funding.

Funded communities will be expected to work on all of the outlined focus areas – healthy eating, active living and commercial tobacco control—throughout those four years.

“Newton Presbyterian Manor wellness center members can expect some new equipment,

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several renovations, and other needed improvements so that we can all continue to achieve our health and wellness goals,” said Alex.

Newton Presbyterian Manor received the $10,000 grant in May. “Our employees mean so much to us and this grant will give us the tools to offer more options in our Wellness Center for them. Healthy and strong employees not only are more satisfied, but they can serve our residents and our mission even better. We are extremely excited

about this opportunity,” said Marc Kessinger, executive director of Newton Presbyterian Manor.

Congrats to everyone in our community, especially those who worked to make this grant possible.

“The achievement of this grant is a direct reflection of what can happen when everyone has one common goal. I can’t thank our Wellness Committee and coworkers enough for buying in and stepping up when needed! They provided so much to this process and deserve recognition as well,” said Alex. ◆