Fort Scott Community Matters – December 2023

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

DECEMBER 2023

Marla Heckman brings experience, passion to Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Marla Heckman took over as Executive Director of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village in September - but it’s a soonerthan-expected-homecoming of sorts for her family.

“My husband, John was born in Fort Scott,” she said. “We were planning on retiring and moving here someday.

There was some property that was going up for sale close to our family, so we decided to change our plans and move back sooner.”

Previously, Heckman built her career in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma - serving in a variety of roles from upper management to helping guide and advise on state policy. She brings to “this wonderful community” a broad base of knowledge and experience.

Love never rests For one of our beloved residents, Mary Fagg, there’s no reason to rest on one’s skills and talents when there are others in need of help.

Marla Heckman

Heckman received her education from the University of Oklahoma and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. She has 36 years in HealthcareIndependent Living, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Skilled Nursing, and Long-term Care.

“I served on the board for Care Providers Oklahoma, as well as the Oklahoma State Department of Health Informal Dispute Resolution panel,” she said.

Heckman said her husband’s family is close-knit, and they all get to spend a lot of time enjoying one another in the Fort Scott community.

Mary takes time out of her day crafting homemade specialty pillows for people battling cancer or for patients receiving care and medication through a port.

This is such an incredibly kind and selfless act - but puts into action the spirit and mission of care and service to others that is a core value at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village. u

And while she’s new to Kansas, she is enjoying her work and the new possibilities.

“I love my job. Love it. I can’t say how much I love being here,” Marla said.

“The residents have made me feel so welcome and made the transition really nice.” u Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org/covid-19.

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Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays The holidays are full of family, fun and tradition, but for some caregivers and people living with dementia, this season can also be incredibly stressful.

Here are our top tips to help you and your loved one get through the holidays.

the person living with dementia.

3. Join a support group: The rate of depression increases during and after the holidays so if you or your loved ones experience any signs of depression, contact a health care professional.

1. Avoid crowded and noisy places: Loud or crowded places can further confuse or frustrate someone living with dementia. Too many people or too many noises can be overstimulating. Instead, try to choose smaller and more low-key events that would not add to confusion or stress.

4. Maintain routines: This can be challenging when parties and holiday preparations disrupt our routine. Try however to keep your loved one’s routine unchanged. Some people living with dementia become confused or agitated in the evenings (sundowning). Consider celebrating earlier in the day to work around this.

person is in the early stages of dementia, relatives and friends might not notice any changes. But the person living with dementia may have trouble following conversations or tend to repeat things. Make sure guests understand that changes in behavior or memory are caused by the disease and not the person.

2. Designate a quiet room: If you are planning on having family or friends over, choose a room in the house that’s only for your loved one to go to if things become too hectic and overstimulating. Explain to your guests beforehand that the identified room is a safe haven from stress for

5. Prepare out-of-town guests: The holidays are a great time to get families together but can be challenging for caregivers and guests alike. Let visiting family and guests know that their loved one may not remember them and explain any known behavioral issues. If the

6. Trust your instincts: You know more than anyone else how much you and your loved one can handle without feeling overwhelmed. If an event or group of visitors may be stressful or troublesome give yourself permission to reschedule or decline.

It is okay to say “no”. u

The new 2024 Art is Ageless® Calendar has arrived!

Visit ArtisAgeless.org for information on how to order. There you can also learn more about the program, meet the artists, even send an e-card. u

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

Community Matters 620-223-5550 u Fax: 620-223-7800 2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org

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is published quarterly for residents and friends of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

To submit or suggest articles: mheckman@pmma.org Marla Heckman, executive director Taylor Bailey, senior living sales specialist

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Remembering the easiest of friends

By Taylor Bailey

Bob and Judy Marshall were a joy to have at the Village.

I enjoyed getting to know both through the move in process and learning more about them and their lives as Bob loved spending time out on the back patio or in the front lobby talking to anyone who would listen. Judy and I connected over a love of tennis, theater, and the guilty pleasure of a delicious diner-style lunch at Nu Grille. She laughed when I told her that I regularly bought Jayhawk trinkets for my father, a staunch K-STATE fan, and that I also named my cows.

Currently we have Lucy and her twins, Chocolate and Strawberry, that were born earlier this summer.

In one of my first conversations with

Bob he made sure to mention that he had played basketball with Wilt Chamberlain and that the photo of him guarding Wilt was one of his favorites. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I had no idea who that was then, but now I do, and I smile whenever I remember how he talked about his athletic years. Sometimes he would talk about flying planes. He knew my father had been a pilot through talking to him at the Fort Scott cattle sale barn.

The Marshalls could make friends with anyone and in one conversation have you feeling like you knew them your whole life. They will be missed along with Dana and their sweet dog, Beau, and Darcy and Dirk whenever they could be here. I am forever thankful they chose Fort Scott

Bob Marshall playing at KU with basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain.

Presbyterian Village to be their last home. u

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village shares customer service survey responses Fort Scott Presbyterian Village continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys.

Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by

Pinnacle Quality Insight.

The graphic highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score.

Between September 2022 and August 2023, Fort Scott Presbyterian

Village residents and their families gave the community high scores in for demonstrating dignity and respect, good communication and safety and security.

Many residents also said they would recommend our community to others. “I would tell them it’s a super place to live,” said one resident. “The people take care of me. It’s a nice place to be.”

We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted

by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u

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