Parsons Community Matters September 2017

Commun ty Matters September 2017

Parsons Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

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Unique life leads resident to write book

Dorothy Perez and her husband Manuel were foster parents to nearly 100 children.

Not many people, if any, can say they’ve helped raise nearly 100 children. Then again, nobody is like Dorothy Perez. She recently made Parsons Presbyterian Manor her home after sharing her own home with dozens of foster children over the years.

“My husband, Manuel, and I had our four boys already, and they called us and needed a home that night for seven children. We grew from four

BOOK

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By Suzanne Gerber Pop quiz: When you think about how technology will personally impact your life over the next 10 to 20 years, which of these things do you envision as being part of that evolution?: A.Holographic technology to communicate with your family B. A car that chauffeurs you around C.3-D-printed medicine D.Drones to help with household activities E. All of the above If the tech-prognosticators are to be believed, the correct answer is E: All of those Jetsons-sounding devices will be available in the coming not-so-many years. ®

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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of

501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Maegen Pegues, executive director Sharla Hopper, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact shopper@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-421-1450 Fax: 620-421-1897 Address: 3501 Dirr Ave., Parsons, KS 67357-2220 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org

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Whether that news thrills or terrifies you, it’s ultimately a good thing, because these technological developments can help older adults and those who are housebound with tasks keep them mobile, keep them at home longer and help them stay connected to others, which is one of the most important factors for a long and fulfilling life.

“Loneliness is at epidemic levels among elders in the U.S. today,” says Juliet Holt Klinger, senior director of dementia care and programs at Brookdale Senior Living, a leading provider of assisted living and home care. A colleague of hers, Brookdale Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin O’Neil, agrees. “Human connection is crucial for people at all ages, but especially so for seniors,” he says.

“Loneliness in this age group is associated with shorter life spans, chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, depression and even dementia,” rookdale Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin O’Neil agrees.

A recent study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia found that healthy and mildly cognitively impaired people over 70 who engaged in daily faceto-face online conversations for six weeks showed “significant improvements in cognitive skills.”

Despite all the exciting developments coming down the pike, however, there’s currently a gap between what’s available now and what’s accessible to the general older adult population.

According to a recent survey by techservices provider Bask, eight in 10 older Americans lack the means to utilize the technology — but they would “make greater and more frequent use of information and communications technology (ICT) if they had ready access to support and assistance.”

Bask’s research indicates that only one-

Experts say it will make life happier, healthier and easier for older adults and caregivers

third of respondents use a personal computer at least once a month, and fewer than one in five text. Close to 50 percent said they don’t go online “because it takes too long to understand and keep up with technological change.” And a full 39 percent said they felt “only somewhat connected or not connected at all to their families.” Recent research from Brookdale further found that 27 percent of people over 80 are “virtual shut-ins.”

There’s no easy fix, but for now, it’s up to us — friends and family — to take the initiative and help and mentor our older loved ones with technology.

There was a noticeable sea change at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: a greater emphasis on needs of people in their 70s, 80s and beyond.

“We’re seeing some new devices that are easier to use, portable and easy to read,” she notes, which to her is an indication that manufacturers are finally “kind of getting the idea of seniors being able to actually use them independently.”

A few of the gadgets aimed at older users include a programmable “universal monitoring solution” called Mother that sends a reminder to

TECHNOLOGY

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Getty Images

The amazing technology that could change how we age

BOOK continued from page 1

to 11 overnight! We hadn’t even signed up to do it or anything. It just kind of fell into our laps,” said Dorothy. “We’d get kids in the middle of the night. Our door was always open. We ended up adopting a boy and two girls as well.”

Even though they didn’t intend to become foster parents many times over, it’s really no surprise given their background and experience.

“My grandparents really started the whole thing, I suppose. They took in a lot of children. And a lot of my family members have. I think we’re pretty unique in that way,” said Dorothy.

Manuel, who passed away nine years ago, was a special education teacher, and had the passion and expertise to help many children

The Perez’ surrounded by some of their foster children, children and grandkids.

who were going through hard times.

“Manuel started at the state hospital, but they wanted a man in the high

school, so he went there. And that’s when I had a pretty interesting job for a while, too,” said Dorothy. “The superintendent called me and said he had a job for me. He said I’d be off work the same days as the kids were home, because I’d be working in the school. I worked one-on-one with a boy who was blind and helped him around. He could play the piano beautifully and even played in Branson at one time.”

So many blessings and interesting experiences have happened because of all the children they helped. And many of the children went on to be a part of Dorothy and Manuel’s lives even after they were grown.

Dorothy and Manuel had four young sons when they started taking in foster children.

“When my mom passed away, a girl we’d fostered came to her funeral.

She was living in Minnesota, so that was really special,” said Dorothy.

BOOK continued on page 4

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BOOK

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And we have hosted foreign exchange students, too.

One came from Japan, and he came to Manuel’s funeral. He spoke about his American father. It was very touching. Of course, back when he had gotten married, Manuel and I stood up with him at the ceremony.”

It’s no wonder Dorothy wanted to chronicle all of her experiences, and we’re thrilled to have her share her experiences with us here at Parsons Presbyterian Manor. Her book, “What I'm Going to Be When They Grow Up,” was written in 2015 and is available on Amazon.com.

From the book:“Johnny had been through a lot in his five years, even being beaten as a baby for crying. He was suspended from kindergarten and was headed to his sixth foster home. Johnny didn't know his new foster parents were Dorothy and Manuel Perez, who had a passion for helping children. Johnny was their 94th child in forty-five years of parenting. Dorothy tells the triumphs and tears of being parents—biological, foster and adoptive.This is a unique tale of a bi-cultural couple with big hearts; a man who taught special needs children at school and at home, and a woman who always had room for one more child.”

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Correction

In the August Community Matters newsletter, winning artist Hugh Charles was misidentified. Parsons Presbyterian Manor apologizes for the error.

TECHNOLOGY continued from page 3

people to take their meds if the bottle has been stationary past a predetermined amount of time. Another notable debut was a smart TV called Angela, designed for folks who aren’t comfortable using a smartphone or tablet yet want to be able to video chat and share photos and messages.

The fact that the number of people 60 and above is expected to more than double by 2050 and that the number of people 80plus will increase more than sevenfold by 2100 isn’t lost on the R+D folks.

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“Future tech will increase older people’s independence and help relieve the health services,” says Naomi Climer, the new president of the prestigious Institution of Engineering and Technology.

In her inaugural speech last fall, Climer said that in 2050, when she’ll be in her 80s, she expects her life to include some, if not all of the following: • Being woken up in her intelligent house by the curtains that automatically open when they detect that she’s in her lightest sleep phase • Taking 3-D-printed medicine personally

created for her containing all the drugs needed for the day • Wearing “chainmail-like fabric” that allows her complete mobility without a wheelchair • Using holographic technology to beam family members into her home • Traveling in a fully autonomous vehicle available on demand It almost sounds too good to be true for those of us who would be excited if we could get our parents to answer a Skype call with the video on. © Twin Cities Public Television - 2017. All rights reserved.