Newton Presbyterian Manor
MAY 2020
Newton Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners Newton Presbyterian Manor is hosting a virtual exhibit for the 2020 Art is Ageless® juried competition. Artwork went up in the main building for assisted living residents and staff to enjoy, but a virtual tour of the pieces is available on the Newton Presbyterian Manor Facebook page.
Residents Larry and Rosie Thompson
Resident spotlight: Getting to know the Thompsons In this crazy coronavirus world we find ourselves living in, it’s hard enough just staying in touch with old friends, but meeting—and getting to know—new ones is especially hard. To help, we’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to two of our newest residents, Larry and Rosie Thompson, who moved into Broadway Apartments at the beginning of February with the help of their daughter, Angela, son-in-law and a little local manpower. “Just as we pulled in (with the U-Haul), one of our daughter’s friends and her four kids met us down there and started unloading,” said Larry. “In less than an hour they had it completely unloaded. It was like ants moving—a stream of them following the leader.” THOMPSONS - continued on page 2
“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors, even at a time when we aren’t able to celebrate the exhibit in person,” said Noelle Dickinson, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition, and we hope that it inspires others to master a craft or start a new adventure in creativity, whatever their age.” Winners in the Newton Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: People’s Choice: Nancy Lewis, Newton, “Fishing Buddies” (quilt) Christmas: Rosie Goering, North Newton, “Home for Christmas” (painting) Drawing (amateur): Walter S. WINNERS - continued on page 3
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
1
Bravo of the Month Bravo of the Month goes to a trio of cooks who are proactive and know how to make things happen. On the Saturday morning that new CDC guidelines came out prohibiting communal dining, Marcia Sneed, Olga Vela and Tracy Yotter were on assignment. Emily Trask writes, “Changes were coming very quickly with dining on that Saturday morning. These ladies stepped up, made a plan and had the plan in place before our management gathered on campus. Thank you for being team players and taking the lead!” ◆
Our bravo winners, social distancing with the management team who thanked them corporately for their efforts, are pictured in the front with Marc Kessinger, executive director. Front row left to right: Olga Vela, Marc Kessinger, Marcia Sneed and Tracy Yotter.
THOMPSONS - continued from page 1 1979, the Thompsons relocated to
While the moving in process was somewhat easy, the Thompsons’ journey to Newton Presbyterian Manor was a long and winding one.
Newton, where Larry went to work for Hesston Corp. (now AGCO Services) before moving on to Bunting Magnetics, where he stayed until he officially retired in 1990.
Larry, who is originally from Nebraska, entered the Army in 1958, spending time at Fort Riley before eventually moving to France. After returning home and spending six months building country roads, he decided to re-enter the military, this time joining the Air Force. Over the next 21 years, the Thompsons lived in Germany, the United Kingdom, Thailand and Japan, where both Angela and their second daughter, Brenda were born.
Avid campers, Larry and Rosie spent their “retirement” working at campgrounds across the country before settling in Marble Falls and later Mission, Texas, where they lived until they ultimately decided to move back to Newton to be closer to Angela.
After retiring from the Air Force in
The couple was familiar with
“We knew it was time to leave,” said Larry. “We had a mobile home and a pretty big yard and it was getting to be a challenge to maintain it.”
Newton Presbyterian Manor— Rosie’s dad had lived there until he passed away in 2005—but the Thompsons knew this was the place for them when they saw that the view from one of the available units just happened to overlook an old chicken house. “Rosie’s an old farm girl and I lived on a farm for many years before going into the service, so it just clicked,” said Larry. “It has a real home atmosphere and we’re on the second floor so we’re up high enough that we can see what’s going on,” said Larry. Now, finally settled in, Rosie and Larry look forward to celebrating their 54th anniversary in their new home in September.◆
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 67114-2862 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
2
COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 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) organizaton.
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.
WINNERS - continued from page 1
Friesen, Hesston, “Self-Portrait”
Quilting: Margo Schrag, North Newton, “Jake’s Clothing”
Drawing (professional): Betty Eller, Newton, “Kansas Gold”
Sculpture/3-D (amateur): Lois Hamilton, Newton, “Sculptural Wire Tree”
Fiber Arts: Dr. Colin Bailey, Halstead, “Spilt Paint – Abstract”
Sculpture/3-D (professional): Jim VanDyke, Elbing, “Cowboy”
Mixed Media/Crafts (amateur): Irene Isaac, Newton, “Fancy Birthday Cards”
The local exhibit was judged by a panel of residents and employees of Newton Presbyterian Manor this year. Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards. The 2021 calendar marks the 40th anniversary for the Art is Ageless program.
Mixed Media/Crafts (professional): Allan Lister, Newton, “Does Gray Matter” Painting (amateur): Joey Giblin, Sedgwick, “Neighbors” Painting (professional): Velera Adams, Newton, “Big Buffy” Photography: Phoebe Janzen, Hillsboro, “Cardinal Quest”
“Fancy Birthday Cards” by Irene Isaac
“Neighbors” by Joey Giblin
“Jake’s Clothing” by Margo Schrag
“Sculptural Wire Tree” by Lois Hamilton
Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s Art is Ageless program encourages Newton Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. ◆ WINNERS - continued on page 4
“Kansas Gold” by Betty Eller
“Self-Portrait” by Walter S. Friesen
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
3
WINNERS - continued from page 3
“Spilt Paint” by Dr. Colin Bailey “Home for Christmas” by Rosie Goering
“Big Buffy” by Velera Adams
“Does Gray Matter” by Allan Lister
“Cowboy” by Jim VanDyke
4
“Fishing Buddies” by Nancy Lewis
“Cardinal Quest” by Phoebe Janzen
COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2019
April 15, 2020
Dear Residents and Family,
We continue to “Stay the Course” despite the challenges of restricting all visitors to our PMMA communities. It has been a key prevention measure in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 virus across the United States. In addition, the CDC guidelines and the emergency “Stay-at-Home” orders for the general public in Kansas and Missouri and the guidance to social distance issued by almost all of the states, has helped our employees to protect those entrusted to our care.
Just last week, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) released revised models that included a strong statement as to what social distancing is doing to decrease the number of expected cases of COVID-19. The revised projections simply indicate that the policy of social distancing is working to reduce both hospitalizations and deaths, not only in the U.S., but also around the world.
What does this mean for all of the senior living communities in the PMMA system? It means that taking the stance to implement these extreme measures by the PMMA leadership, but one required by CDC guideline, remains the right thing to do to keep all our residents and employees COVID-19 free.
To this point, PMMA has a resident population of approximately 2,400 that are – as of today – COVID-19 free. In addition, we have had only one non-direct care employee out of almost 2,500 total employees that tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, and appropriate steps were put in place to assure no other employee or resident was affected. It is difficult with these outcomes, to argue with the PMMA System success due to the key prevention measures implemented in March. I sincerely thank you for your cooperation, patience and grace during this pandemic and please let me end with a personnel experience I had this past Easter weekend.
Most Easter mornings, I usually attend a Sunrise service at my local church. Unfortunately, this opportunity was not available due to the “Stay at Home” orders in Kansas. Therefore, I sat in my driveway, looking at the cloudy morning and listening to a Christian podcast of the readings from all of the gospels of the very first Easter morning. At the end of the podcast, the presenter read the following chorus from the Hymn, “Because He Lives.” The words were very reassuring to me in this very trying time. I hope this speaks to you also. Because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives God’s Blessings, Bruce H. Shogren President/CEO Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
5
Jeanne Douglass looks back at long career in nursing When Jeanne Douglass got her first job in nursing, she was just 17 years old and was living in a small town in north-central Kansas. She had no official training, no experience. She just “needed a job.” Years later, as one of the community’s longestserving assisted living nurses, Jeanne couldn’t be happier with how it has all worked out. “I love helping people, and I love the elderly,” said Jeanne. “It’s nothing I planned. I guess God planned it.” Jeanne’s start at Newton Presbyterian Manor also seemed to have happened as if by a stroke of fate. After moving to town with her family, Jeanne was in the process of going through training as a nurse at a local nursing home when it started to just not “feel right.” It was then that she came across an opening for a day-shift nurse at Presbyterian Manor. “When I first walked through the front doors, I knew this was where I wanted to be,” said Jeanne. “I met a couple of dear residents with dementia, and right away I knew I wanted to be here.” Now in her 13th year, Jeanne says a lot of things have changed. “When I first came here, just one person worked on each floor in assisted living at a time, and they did everything from passing out meds to giving showers and helping with meals,” said Jeanne. “Today, we’re doing a lot more and need more and more nurses.” While Jeanne has seen a lot in her career, nothing has come close to the current COVID-19 crisis. The virus has put an incredible strain on
6
COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2020
Jeanne Douglass looks back at a nursing career that started when she was just 17. staff and residents alike; however, Jeanne has been impressed by both the community’s resilience and its ability to pull together.
the residents, and they encourage me because we have the same faith and I believe that we aren’t going to get in trouble if we pray together.”
“It doesn’t matter what anybody’s job is, everybody is just working together, we all do meals and whatever else needs to be done,” said Jeanne.
As for those looking to enter the nursing field just as she did all of those years ago, Jeanne has a few words of advice.
And it’s that sense of community that Jeanne loves most about working at NPM. “It’s just like a big family,” said Jeanne. “There are a lot of Christians here, especially among
“If you don’t like people and you’re in it for the money, don’t do it,” said Jeanne. “And if you want to gain respect, you have to respect others—we’re not here to have a title. I see everyone as equal, and I believe humility goes a long way. To be a great leader, you serve.” ◆
Connecting on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic Life around the Presbyterian Manor has been anything but usual during the COVID-19 pandemic. But we’re finding creative ways to stay connected with residents while keeping a safe and healthy distance. In the cottages and duplexes, resident June Thomsen is writing a newsletter called “The Cottages and Duplexes Sequester” as a fun and encouraging way to share what’s happening in that community. A group of four to five residents in this area are also calling residents in health care and assisted living to discuss everything from what’s for supper, feelings about the coronavirus, how to manage exercise and the weather. One resident is also sending notes through the mail to residents in the main building. Birthdays are celebrated in cottages
and duplexes, too!
“We’re gathering near the birthday person’s place in the afternoon at a specified time, and then singing Happy Birthday to them. We are very careful to remain six feet apart and find that we are still able to converse very comfortably that way for a while. It is simply grand to see one another’s faces and chat in person after being cooped up inside,” said June. These efforts seem to help create a positive atmosphere at a difficult time. “As far as I can ascertain, the spirit of residents who live in cottages and duplexes is good. I think most of us are counting our blessings, despite the dire predictions on the constant news feed. Of course, it is easier to say that when most of my exposure is to those who
can get out to exercise, garden or work in their yards. We do have several who are living with pain, grief and illness; surely the present constraints make their lives harder,” said June. Other efforts to connect during this crisis include several staff members making weekly calls to each resident in independent living to hear how they’re doing beyond survival. “It’s great to hear that they’re happy and content, missing their friends and the extra fun, but relieved to live here and not have to worry about so many of the details they would have in their own homes,” said Noelle Dickinson, director of marketing and senior living counselor. “In all, our community is doing a remarkable job of staying positive and connected.” ◆
Spirit Week From Marvel Monday celebrating our staff for the heroes they are, to Hawaiian Tuesday, Tie Dye Wednesday and Thankful Thursday, residents got to see our employees clad in their finest. We’re proud of the ways the team is making the most of a challenging situation. ◆
Right: Red, White and Blue Day. Far right: During Spirit Week, a couple of “special visitors” were seen spreading cheer through the hallways on Friday’s NPM Pride day, where we all wore Presbyterian Manor shirts. The visitors were a big hit, and if you look close, you’ll see they are Life Enrichment team members Riley Rodriguez and Tim Clark. Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
7
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.
Resident fun
Can’t wait until we can get back to our day trips, theater visits and dining out together!
8
COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2020
Beautiful spring days gave family and friends a chance to stop by and greet their loved ones.
Volunteers also shared their time and talents in new and creative ways. A group caroled their favorite hymns from window to window. â—†