Rolla Community Matters September 2018

Commun ty Matters Rolla Presbyterian Manor

September 2018

“Springtime Landscape,” a painting by Phyllis Hutchison

Local Rolla artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners Three winning artists in Rolla Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2019 Art is Ageless Calendar produced by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America.

“Poppies in the Light,” a sculpture

by Sophia deLaat; “Sunflowers,” a painting by Mutz Maples; and “Mid Journey,” a painting by Ellen Reynolds will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall.

In addition, “Springtime Landscape,” a painting by Phyllis Hutchison will be featured on one of the Art is Ageless greeting cards.

Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 16 other ART, continued on page 3

A service group from Missouri University of Science and Technology poses for a group photo.

Student volunteers give and receive blessings Over the years, Rolla Presbyterian Manor has been blessed by its close relationship with the community it serves—epitomized by the steady stream of volunteers and children who visit the campus throughout the year.

Among those who donate their time and talents are the students of Missouri University of Science and Technology and Rolla High School, who regularly help with projects, perform or simply sit and talk with residents.

For the residents, this interaction not only provides entertainment and enrichment opportunities, it serves as a vital link to Rolla and the world beyond.

“When someone comes and visits with the residents, they’re connecting with the community,” said Joy Parker, activities director and volunteer coordinator.

STUDENT, continued on page 2

STUDENT, continued from page 1

And the fact that many of the volunteers come from the local university, makes that connection even stronger.

“A lot of our residents were past professors, professors’ wives or have a strong connection with the university,” Joy said. “They like to know what’s going on with the university.”

One of the community’s most regular volunteers is a soon-to-be first-year student at Missouri S&T named Sarah Darknell. Sarah comes to the community once a week to read with residents, look at their photos and learn more about the lives they’ve lived.

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Rolla Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org

“When I think about Sarah, I think about that Bible verse about older women teaching the younger,” said Joy. “I think she gets a lot of advice from residents and loves visiting with them.”

For Sarah, it’s much more than that.

“To me, I need the residents just as much as they need me. They provide a kind and knowledgeable insight that only someone that has experienced what they have could provide,” Sarah said.

As an aspiring physician, Sarah also finds inspiration and motivation in those she interacts with.

“They make me want to work hard, so that someday I will have the privilege to help them in the best way possible, so they can go back home to their families or live comfortably in a community that welcomes them and that will also provide great care to them,” Sarah said.

In the meantime, Sarah is using her time at Presbyterian Manor to bring

A young Rolla resident stops by on Halloween to trick or treat.

joy to the lives of residents and those she comes in contact with the rest of the day.

“When (the residents) smile, it radiates to me and I will pass it along, when I’m at work, school or with friends,” Sarah said. “This rippling smile will make more than just one person’s day better as it travels throughout the community.”

Ann Caudill, executive director Joelle Freeland, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Joelle Freeland at lfreeland@pmma.org.

Telephone: 573-364-7336 Fax: 573-364-7336 Address: 1200 Homelife Plaza, Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. RollaPresbyterianManor.org

Rolla High School students embraced the 50s theme of the Presbyterian Manor’s “spring fling.”

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Community Matters September 2018

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What not to say to someone having a health crisis ByKerri Fivecoat-Campbell Next Avenue

I recently underwent a months-long health challenge and lost 65 pounds in a year. When I was still struggling with the health challenge and the weight loss, I saw a friend I hadn’t seen in months.

consider it a good thing. The man’s statement, along with his apparent shock, made me feel worse. It made me feel as though I was wasting away.

“My God!” he exclaimed. “You look like you’re wasting away!”

We’ve all said things to people who are going through a health crisis that could be considered rude or insensitive. I’m pretty confident I have, but what makes us do it?

When women lose weight, most

Whatever the reasons, Lipson

ART, continued from page 1

events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.

PMMA communities. More than 180 entries were received for this year’s masterpiece competition. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar and greeting cards.

said, there are better ways to communicate with a loved one who is going through a health crisis.

Here are three types of comments people in a health crisis have heard, and what to say instead: 1. Bringing up God or faith: When Michelle Pierce’s daughter, Ali, was diagnosed with stomach cancer and liver disease at 15, Pierce HEALTH, continued on page 4

Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s wellness programs, “We are inspired by the talent in our which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Residents senior community and are thrilled and friends of Presbyterian Manors we have the opportunity to share it and inspire others through the Art is of Mid-America’s Art is Ageless Ageless calendar and greeting cards,” program are proving that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition. said Joelle Freeland, marketing director/senior living counselor, Rolla Presbyterian Manor.

Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years.

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s Art is Ageless program encourages Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic Like us on Facebook

“Poppies in the Light,” a sculpture by Sophia deLaat.

“Sunflowers,” a painting by Mutz Maples.

“Mid Journey,” a painting by Ellen Reynolds.

Rolla Presbyterian Manor

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Rolla Presbyterian Manor 1200 Homelife Plaza Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Return Service Requested

HEALTH, continued from page 3

was shocked by a local pastor’s statement. “He told me we were going through this because of my lack of faith,” said the resident.

“Blaming is hurtful,” said Lipson.

“You really have to be careful about bringing up religion. Whether you should do so depends on your personal relationship with them [the people in a health crisis].”

What to say instead: Lipson suggested asking the person, “How do you feel about what happened to you?” or “What do you think is going on?” She also said do not say, “Everything happens for a reason” or “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.”

2. Asking a person his or her

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Community Matters September 2018

prognosis or telling stories of people who have had the same condition who didn’t have a positive outcome: “Every person deals with adversity and pain, but try to avoid comparisons.”

What to say instead: Lipson said the most important thing to do is to make the person feel he or she hasn’t lost any power. “Empower the person to believe in positive strength,” said Lipson. She added it’s OK to ask, “How’s it going?” or “How are you feeling?” And if you know of specialists and the person hasn’t begun treatment, you can offer a referral to a specialist.

3. Making negative statements about appearance: In addition to not saying “you look like you’re wasting away,” avoid uttering that

the person looks tired or “washed out.” Raichbach said: “People know what they look like. The more you say, the worse it’s going to come out.”

What to say instead: Lipson points out that commenting on appearance is tricky. “You don’t want to ignore the problem, but you can say something in a way that isn’t cruel,” she said. “If the person makes a comment about their appearance first, telling them, ‘I see it’s been hard on you’ is acceptable and then ask if there’s anything you can do for them.”

In each of these situations, the experts suggest making specific offers, such as bringing food, taking the person to appointments and the like.

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