Parsons Presbyterian Manor
SEPTEMBER 2020
Becky Nash and Ashley Lee are among the Parsons Presbyterian Manor employees who donate part of each paycheck to the Good Samaritan Program, which benefits residents who have outlived their financial resources.
Nurse Spotlight: Kayla Schmidt When Kayla Schmidt entered the nursing field, she wanted to gain as much experience as possible. She brings the wealth of knowledge she has learned during her career to her role as director of nursing at Parsons Presbyterian Manor.
Both women became donors after hearing about the program during their employee orientation. Ashley’s motivation for giving is the knowledge that her dollars go directly to the residents she works for.
Kayla began working at Presbyterian Manor in 2016 as an on-call nurse. At the time, she was working full time at Labette Hospital. She worked in several areas, including the emergency room and the surgery floor. She realized she had an affinity for working with patients who were recovering from surgery.
Good Samaritan Program allows employees to support residents
Kayla Schmidt
“I like knowing that I’m making a small contribution each payroll — especially now,” said Ashley, a certified nursing assistant. “When I started here, I didn’t know I was going to build the great relationships I have now with residents.”
When Presbyterian Manor was looking for a new director of nursing, Kayla applied. She assumed the role two years ago this month.
At Parsons Presbyterian Manor, an average of 29 residents benefit from the Good Samaritan Program, said Sarah Oenning, vice president of giving for PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica). The program includes the discounting of fees and payment of some expenses for residents who have exhausted their assets due to circumstances beyond their control.
Kayla worked as a certified nursing assistant for several years, both in
GOOD SAMARITAN
“The best part of taking care of them was getting them back on their feet,” Kayla said. She brings that passion to serving residents in the health care neighborhood as well as those recovering from surgery in the PATH® (Post-Acute to Home) program. “My favorite thing has always been getting to send them on with all the tools they need to be successful,” Kayla said. She gains satisfaction from hearing that former PATH residents feel they were set up for success.
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long-term care and hospital setting, before she decided to further her education.
“It’s designed to meet room and board needs, first and foremost,” Sarah said. “That said, each community works to provide the big and little things that make quality of life a priority — new slippers or eyeglasses, for example.” A presentation about the program at an all-staff meeting impressed Becky so much, she decided to increase her payroll contribution. “It’s comforting to know they will have a little bit of money, even just to buy a can of pop or a candy bar,” Becky said. “It makes me feel good that I can help them out.”
“My mom was a nurse, and I grew up with her working in long-term care,” Kayla said. She has always hoped to serve in an administrative role, like her mother did. Kayla studied at Labette County Community College, then went on to Pittsburg State for her Bachelor of Skilled Nursing. Kayla is originally from Erie, Kan., but she has lived in the Parsons area for the past several years. Home is a small country community, where she shares a house with her husband Mike, a mechanic, and her daughter Logan, age 3. They all enjoy riding their four-by-four, which they sometimes bring on trips to Arkansas. Mostly, the young family stays close to home. “We really just like to spend time with our family and our neighbors,” she said. And Logan won’t be three forever. “Every other month, we keep saying, ‘This is our favorite stage,’” Kayla said. “It just keeps getting better and better.” u
All current residents are eligible to apply for help from the Good Samaritan Program, which is designed so that beneficiaries’ identities are kept confidential. To learn more and to help a senior in need, visit Giving.PresbyterianManors.org, or call 1-800-336-8511.u
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PARSONS Presbyterian Manor
620-421-1450 u Fax: 620-421-1897 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220 ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: apeak@PMMA.org Maegen Pegues, executive director Alexandria Peak, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Presbyterian Manor staff easing into reopening Parsons Presbyterian Manor staff have been key to keeping residents safe from COVID-19, said Executive Director Maegen Pegues. “I’ve been so proud of how seriously our staff has taken the pandemic,” she said. “In addition to working more than usual, they have all made changes in their personal lives in order to stay as healthy as possible and lessen their risk of exposure.” That includes wearing a mask in public and being mindful of where they go outside of work. Staff have also communicated with leadership any time they have had concerns about potential exposure. These preventative measures are essential as Maegen and her leadership team have gradually lifted some restrictions. “Right now, we’re looking at what we can resume,” she said. “It’s a day-by-day thing in our areas, since we are still seeing a fair amount of cases rising in the wider community. That makes us a little apprehensive about letting new people in the building.” Family may make compassionate care visits to residents who are receiving hospice services, though staff still have to evaluate how many people can come in and who is considered safe based on a variety of factors. “Every time you let a new person
in the building, that exposure risk is there, so the biggest challenge is policing that,” Maegen said. “We’re trying to be very proactive with communication to residents and families about the challenges we’re facing. We always try to explain why we are making the decisions we’re making.” Bingo has moved from the hallways, where residents once played while stationed in their doorways, to the chapel and dining area, where residents play in small, socially distanced groups. Presbyterian Manor had a scare early on when a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, which necessitated quarantines for multiple other staff. “There was a two-week period where we basically didn’t have a dining services staff,” Maegen said. “But everyone rose to the occasion to cover that need.” The community outsourced meal preparation, and staff members from other areas pitched in to deliver meals to residents’ doors. In early August, the community had eight positive cases, affecting both residents and staff. The campus was designated a cluster, which is two or
Maegen Pegues
more non-household cases associated with a location in a specified period of time. This placed the campus’ reopening plans on hold, and brought the team together to face the challenge together again. Since March, staff have stepped up to spend more one-on-one time with residents and perform tasks that families usually take care of. “We’ve always had strong relationships with residents, but right now, we are taking the place of family and friends who can’t be in the building,” Maegen said. “I’ve been very impressed with the creativity staff has shown in
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PARSONS Presbyterian Manor 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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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, ParsonsPresbyterian Manor.org/covid-19.u
COMMUNITY– continued from page 2 keeping residents connected with their families, especially for birthdays and other special occasions.” Staff have collaborated with families to organize surprise parties. An aide will bring residents to a downstairs window so they can see their families, many of whom bring decorated signs and treats to share. Window visits in general have been so popular that there are now designated rooms reserved for this purpose. Maegen looks forward to being able to offer residents more choice again, as the resident experience is something she and her staff pride themselves on. They also can’t wait to welcome families back in the building. “We miss them almost as much as they miss their loved ones,” Maegen said. She is appreciative of the understanding and support she has received from both residents and their families. “They have been so positive,” Maegen said. “That is hard to maintain as we’re going on six months of this now.” u
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020