Wichita Community Matters – December 2023

Wichita Presbyterian Manor

DECEMBER 2023

Help us welcome our new Assisted Living Director

Cooking at the core of family gatherings Joan and John Markowitz’ children live in various corners of the country, but they are intentional about getting everyone together as often as they can.

And when they do, home cooked meals take center stage.

“We get together at least once a year,” Joan said about the family, which includes their four children, 12 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. “When we do get together John and Joan Markowitz both my daughters and myself love to cook. We have a meatball recipe that everyone loves - it’s a tradition to have that. Otherwise, we’re pretty traditional. It’s really wonderful when we get together. We love to cook - and eat, drink and be merry.”

Joan and John made the move the Wichita Presbyterian Manor in September. Joan has an apartment in assisted living, while John lives in the Memory Care area.

“I love my little apartment,” Joan said. “I overlook the courtyard in the back.

It’s so nice, and I like that. I get my breakfast with some new friends I’ve made, then lunch and dinner in the Memory Care area with my husband.”

Joan said the transition has been made easier by the friendliness of staff and residents.

“Everyone here is so nice,” Joan said. “I’ve really enjoyed living here. There’s always something to do. You can’t be bored. I have played Bridge for 50 years and there are some nice folks here that I play with every Tuesday evening. I really enjoy Bingo, and that’s once a week. There are several people interested in playing Pitch, so I said I’d work on trying to get that started. There are all sorts of activities here for people. You just have to get out of your dwelling or your room and get acquainted with people.”

Residents – continued on page 2

DeAnne Cushman

Give a warm Wichita Presbyterian Manor welcome to DeAnne Cushman, our new Assisted Living Director.

DeAnne took on the new role in October. Prior to her current role, she worked for two years as the Long-Term Care Manager at another community, and previously worked as a Triage Nurse.

DeAnne has an associate in arts degree in computer information and an associate in science in computer programming and analysis. But she ended up in healthcare – she’s also been a licensed CNA and is now a LPN. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her dogs.

We’re very excited to welcome DeAnne to Wichita Presbyterian Manor. u

Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at WichitaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Residents – continued from page 1

Stockings serve a long role in this family Ask Marilyn Middleton about her tradition of making stockings for family members, and she’s likely to offer a quick laugh in retort.

“This is so old,” she said. “I have grandkids that are in their 40s and 50s. I started making my own kids’ stockings - they were alike, green and felt. Then I moved onto the ornaments you can make from kits and started making them for the grandkids.

Now I’m making one for a greatgrandchild. She’s not born yet, but she will be soon.”

When Marilyn started making the special ornaments, there weren’t so many children. Now there are 18 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

“We have twins in our family, and we have three sets,” Marilyn said. “There are lots of them.”

Marilyn made the move to Wichita Presbyterian Manor in August.

“It took some getting used to,” she said. “Coming from a house to an apartment was traumatic, but I’m getting used to it. I’ve met a lot of

Marilyn Middleton

people, and that’s made the adjustment easier. “ Help us welcome Marilyn to her new home at Wichita Presbyterian Manor.

Move to Wichita reduces space between family When Kay Warner made the move to Wichita Presbyterian Manor from Burdett, in Western Kansas she cut down the space between her and her granddaughters.

“I met him once,” Kay said. “He’s a very nice man and easy to talk to, and a genius. It’s still Pluto - we do not accept in Burdett that it’s not a planet.”

“I have one daughter in Burdett and the other in Wichita,” Kay said. “All of my grandchildren and great grandchildren live in Wichita. It’s a very close family.”

Kay moved to Wichita Presbyterian Manor in July and said the adjustment has been rather easy.

Kay spent her career working as a teacher in Burdett - which is famous as the home of astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto.

“I very much like it,” Kay said.

“People are friendly. It’s very nice.

Right now, I’m taking a course from Wichita State University on Shakespeare - I enjoy it and want to pick up some other things.”

She also said the staff has been easy to work with.

“They work very hard,” Kay said.

“They are very good.

Kay Warner It’s hard to remember names and faces at my age, but I’m getting better at it. When you move here, everyone knows you’re here, so they know you, but I don’t know all of them.” u

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316-942-7456 ◆ Fax: 316-941-3806 4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 WichitaPresbyterianManor.org

Community Matters

To submit or suggest articles: awatson@PMMA.org

is published quarterly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor

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

Amy Watson, life enrichment dir.

Jenna Beilman, executive director Lisa Fetter, senior living sales director

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

Celebrating Oktoberfest!

Wichita Presbyterian Residents, staff, and visitors enjoyed Oktoberfest on October 19th with the sounds of Holy Cross German Band.

It was a perfect October evening outside with singing, dancing, and bringing in the fun of Oktoberfest. u

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.

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 lowkey events that would not add to confusion or stress.

2. 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.

3. 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

Wichita Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

4 COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2023