Salina Community Matters November 2014

Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor

November 2014

Lifestyle changes key to Alzheimer’s prevention We now have a prescription that researchers think can delay or prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not a pill, it’s a list of lifestyle choices. Results from a landmark study announced this summer show that having a healthy lifestyle may be the key.

“It’s the first time we have been able to give people a kind of recipe for what is useful,” said Maria Carrillo, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association.

More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Millions more will likely develop dementia as the baby boomers age.

In the study, researchers looked at 1,260 people in Finland from 60 to 77 years old, who were at risk for Alzheimer’s. One group went on a lifestyle improvement program and the other group received general health advice. The results were dramatic.

The lifestyle program included: Eat well: Start by adding fruits and vegetables to your regular diet. Ease out fats and fried foods, and always choose whole grains rather than highly refined bakery products.

BRAIN, continued on page 6

Brad Radatz frequently dines in the Ivory Keys Café so he can spend time with Salina Presbyterian Manor residents. From left, Amy Hoffman, Brad Radatz and Leo Lake.

Brad Radatz Executive director relishes role of relationships Brad Radatz’ first job was a certified nursing assistant at the hospital in his hometown of Lindsborg. It’s not a big town, and it’s not a big hospital, which meant Radatz was often idle or sent home.

But Radatz, who was about to start college, wanted more shifts and more experience. He was surprised when that put him on the path to working in long-term care. “I liked the learning curve with hospitals,” Radatz said.

“I didn’t think I would get that same learning curve medically in longterm care, but I learned quickly that was not the case.”

He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in life sciences from Kansas State University in 2010, with a secondary major in gerontology and an emphasis in long-term care administration. In July, he was named executive director of Salina Presbyterian Manor. Previously, Radatz had been lead administrator with Frontline Management, responsible for the day-to-day operations of Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City.

RADATZ, continued on page 5

Musings from Chaplain Mary: Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude and also a holiday that was first celebrated in the fall of 1621 by the Pilgrims, grateful for their new lives in the new world, for their Indian friends and for God’s provision in difficult circumstances. For some, Thanksgiving has become a day to get a list together prior to a day of marathon Christmas shopping on “black Friday.”

We’ve forgotten the reason for the celebration on that first Thanksgiving Day: gratitude for survival.

Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit SalinaPresbyterianManor.org

What can we do to redirect ourselves toward gratitude this year? I challenge you each day to not only jot down at least one thing you are grateful for but to share your gratitude with family and friends.

Resident Muriel Otis says she is grateful for her family and the time they take away from their lives to visit and be with her. She is grateful for staff that help her through her days and reading her mail and newspaper to her.

and enter your email Employee Christina Bauer, a nurse, is grateful for her husband and children, address in the blue box on for the job that provides her with new people to know and care for, and for the right. It’s that easy! having God in her life. What are you grateful for today and every day?

To view daily activities occurring at Salina Presbyterian Manor, visit SalinaPresbyterianManor.org/Upcoming-Events.

Community Matters

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

Bradley Radatz, executive director Kim Fair, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kim Fair, kfair@pmma.org.

Telephone: 785-825-1366 Fax: 785-825-6554 Address: 2601 E. Crawford, Salina, KS 65401-2595 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

SalinaPresbyterianManor.org

Mary Bridges, center, is helped by coworkers, from left, RaShelle Hensley, Shanna King and Lisa Anderson as she prepares to cheer on Alzheimer’s walkers.

Presbyterian Manor cheers on Alzheimer’s walkers More than $5,000 was raised locally for Alzheimer’s disease research at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Oct. 4. In all, 95 people registered for the event, co-sponsored by Salina Presbyterian Manor.

A team of 13 represented Salina Presbyterian Manor, including Chaplain Mary Bridges. Dressed in her clown costume, Mary rode the route on her adult tricycle, handing out bottles of water to the walkers.

Thanks to all who participated and made us proud!

2

Art Discovery introduces residents to zentangle muse An Art Discovery recently was led

by Brenda Smith, a local zentangle artist.

Nearly 20 residents attended the class. Following the class, a display of Brenda’s art was installed in the main hallway across from the library.

The class was such a hit that at 3 p.m. the second Monday each month we will have a “Tangle Time” and continue our exploration of the relaxing art of zentangle.

We hope you can join us!

Right, a zentangle display of Brenda Smith’s artwork at Salina Presbyterian Manor.

Rolling Hills Zoo trip The trip to Rolling Hills Zoo and Wildlife Museum was made even more special by resident Micki Sebree’s daughter, Cynthia Hoffman, who has been personally involved since the beginning.

Her inside information and stories made the experience that much more interesting.

Left, Carolyn Eland and Elsie Swanson get up-close with taxidermy animals in an exhibit.

3

Happenings Travel and Taste will take us to Wilson to Made From Scratch for some of their home-cooked food and pies. Watch SAMN for the date and sign up at the podium.

The independent and assisted living potluck dinner this month will feature our traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings. Be sure to attend for your first taste of this seasonal treat.

The Salina Public Library Lobby Stop on Nov. 19 will include technology. Tech gadgets, including an Android tablet, iPad and Kindle e-reader will be available for residents to try.

Just Ask: Challenging behaviors in dementia Our annual Just Ask Alzheimer’s disease update will be Nov. 18 from 2 to 4:15 p.m.

Cindy Miller, a dementia specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association, will speak on “Decreasing the Intensity and Frequency of Challenging Behaviors in the Person with a Dementia Disease.”

This program will discuss topics such as: • Why do individuals have challenging behaviors?

• What can we do?

• How can we communicate with a person who does not understand us?

4

Health care residents can plan to travel the USA and sample regional dishes. The geography of each area will be explored. Monthly celebrations will include Veterans Day, Will Rogers’ birthday and Say Cheese Day. The Thanksgiving potluck dinner for health care residents and employees is scheduled for noon on Nov. 19.

Volunteer opportunity A volunteer is needed to help Jeannine Eckley serve men’s breakfast at 8 a.m. on the second Wednesday of every month. If you are interested in helping, contact Janet Smith, volunteer coordinator.

Amanda Dean

Employee of the Month Congratulations to Amanda Dean, employee of the month for October.

A resident-stitched quilt was sold at auction to benefit Salina Presbyterian Manor.

Thanks for supporting the Soup Supper Thanks to an army of volunteers and attendees, the 34th Annual Soup Supper was a great success.

The cookbook produced by our health care residents was a highly sought item, as were the crafted items in the sale. The resident-stitched quilt was very special as it had two white blocks on the back listing the names of all the residents who made quilt blocks and did the quilting.

We can’t thank you enough, and we’re well on our way to purchasing that handicapped accessible bus so all our residents can enjoy off-campus activities.

Amanda is a licensed practical nurse in the health care neighborhood and has worked here three years.

She is married to Chris and has two children, Gianna, 2, and Jakobe, 5 months.

Amanda likes to shop and spend time with family. One thing we might not have known about her is that she twirled and was a cheerleader for five years. Her goals are to become a registered nurse and buy a house. Congratulate Amanda when you see her.

RADATZ, continued from page 1

The appeal of long-term care, Radatz found, was in building relationships with residents. He also wants to make it easier for residents to develop stronger relationships with each other and with employees.

family-like relationships instead of the traditional caregiver-patient dynamic.

“Ten years ago, health care was more physically focused,” Radatz said. “Now we want to make sure we’re “We really want to develop our environment to be more also caring for their emotional, psychological and social of an actual neighborhood,” he said. “We want people needs.” on a particular hall to feel like they’re part of a smaller, Radatz and his wife, Amy, are excited to be in Salina close group.”

– partly because they have season tickets to K-State That means giving residents and employees more football and basketball, and now they’re closer to opportunities to interact, Radatz said, and listening to Manhattan. The couple met in college and married in their ideas. He hopes they’ll be able to develop more 2012.

5

New decade, new locations, new services This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life.

The 1980s brought growth in independent living options on many Presbyterian Manor campuses.

New duplexes and apartments were constructed in Parsons, Lawrence, Wichita and Salina. It also brought construction of two new campuses and health care additions at the Wichita and Rolla campuses.

The first scholarships were given in 1981. Those funds served as seed for today’s Employee Education Assistance Grants.

Consideration of additional campuses continued through the 1980s as well. Efforts to raise funds for a Presbyterian Manor at Hays were not successful, and By early 1980, the United after thorough study, the board Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas’ authorized sale of the property in joint project with the Manhattan June 1980. The next year, a group Retirement Foundation was open. of citizens in Emporia petitioned PMMA continued to provide for construction of a campus in that management services for the new community, and a period of study Meadowlark Hills until July 1, 1981. and fundraising began. Additional campuses in Missouri also were Salina Presbyterian Manor opened considered in Jefferson City and its doors in February 1980, Springfield. and work started on additional apartments almost immediately.

The PMMA board voted to sell In addition to the expansion of Mid-Continent Presbyterian the physical plant, two important Manor, a campus formerly operated programs of PMMA began in 1980. by the Board of Pensions of the Residents, staff and advisory board Presbyterian Church of the United members were invited to submit art States. Residents of the campus, and poetry for potential inclusion in located in Kansas City, Mo., were the inaugural Art is Ageless calendar. given the option of moving to the Kansas City, Kan., campus. The sale A donor’s $10,000 gift established was completed in 1983. the Education Fund for PMMA employees, residents and trustees.

New services and new needs also

From left, Salina Mayor Karen Graves, Milton Morrison and Harry Steele.

The newly constructed six-story independent living apartment building at Salina Presbyterian Manor.

were explored. With the support of the Synod of Mid-America, PMMA worked to establish a campus for severely physically handicapped adults in Hutchinson. Home health care for residents living independently on PMMA campuses was started in 1984. Piloted in Salina, the service was expanded to other campuses before the end of the year.

reading, pursuing a hobby, playing a musical instrument Move more: “We shouldn’t just be encouraging people or singing. Having a purpose involves brain flexing, as well. For this, you can set goals and follow through or to exercise, we should discourage them from being solve a problem, for example. sedentary,” one researcher said. Researchers found that moderate activity such as chores and walking – not just Social interaction: Social relationships foster high-intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or support, and this connectedness, as we grow older, biking – can protect the thinking process. Taking a walk is critical to our wellness. When we converse, our after dinner is an excellent habit. Always consult your brains are busy dealing with the activities of listening, physician before beginning an exercise program. observing, understanding and conversing.You can Brain games: Two excellent ways to train your brain is combine some of these activities for added impact, such to flex it and have a purpose. Things you can do on your as playing cards, joining an exercise class, participating own include working a crossword puzzle or jumble, in a book club and attending a lecture.

BRAIN, continued from page 1

6