Salina Community Matters April 2015

Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor

April 2015

PMMA observes its Founders Day

Employees of Salina Presbyterian Manor will observe the founding of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica this month as the company celebrates 66 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri.

Each Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus will have its own celebration with residents and employees during April, acknowledging the importance of making life “the way you want to live.”

“Many of our employees view what they do as a calling, not just a job,” said Bruce Shogren, president and CEO. “Our dedicated employees make it possible for us to sustain PMMA’s mission, which directly impacts the wonderful care our 2,400 residents receive every day.”

The annual Founders Day celebration on Monday, April 20, at Salina Presbyterian Manor will be two-fold this year. We are winding up the 65th anniversary year of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica, and we’re celebrating our campus’ 35th anniversary. Founders Day activities will have a birthday party theme and will take place throughout the building. Watch for posters with specific information FOUNDERS, continued on page 2

Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award

Received by Bethany College grad Dorothy Carmichael In her first few weeks at Bethany College, Dorothy Carmichael was kicked out of the library. For wearing slacks.

But it seems all has been forgiven. Last month, Carmichael accepted the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award from her alma mater. The award recognizes outstanding achievement and service to society by a graduate who has provided “unique and significant service” to the college over his or her lifetime.

“I’m thrilled,” said Carmichael, a Salina Presbyterian Manor resident. “I don’t know if I’m more excited about the award or the fact that all my family except one will be here” for the March 28 ceremony.

Carmichael is a member of Bethany’s Class of 1961. She followed her fiancé, Ken, to Lindsborg after they became engaged at Christmas during AWARD, continued on page 2

AWARD, continued from page 1

Presbyterian Manor’s Ivory Keys Café.

freshman year. Ken Carmichael went on to become a Lutheran minister, and Dorothy earned her education degree at Bethany. She also received a master’s in special education at K-State.

In college, she never took a music course. “I decided now that I’m 75 I’ll take music theory,” she said. So Carmichael returned to a Bethany classroom last year to audit a couple of classes.

Her first love, however, was music.

Carmichael began playing the piano at age 4 and first accompanied her father’s church choir on the organ at age 10. She played in churches and served as assistant organist at the Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, Florida. That’s where her husband bought Carmichael her first baby grand piano – the same one that’s now the centerpiece of Salina

“I think it sends a message to Bethany students when alums come back and take a class like I’ve done,” Carmichael said. “It’s good for them to see that Bethany is still a value to us in our lives.”

larger remodeling project in the music rooms, and she agreed.

She also established a golf scholarship three years ago in memory of her husband, who played on Bethany’s first men’s golf team.

Carmichael is a dedicated fan of Bethany Swedes football, too: “I help coach from the stands.” She even taught her three grandchildren to say the school chant “Rockar!

Stockar!” “instead of cusswords.”

It’s clear that Carmichael is an The theory rooms needed more dry- alumna to make the Bethany erase boards, so Carmichael offered community proud — and perhaps now she can get away with wearing to donate them. That led university pants to the library. officials to ask her support for a

FOUNDERS, continued from page 1

and notifications on SAMN.

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

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Community Matters April 2015

Many residents and employees were involved in Founders Day video No. 1, which will be screened as well. The day’s activities also will be videotaped.

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s roots go back to 1947.

Alice Kalb, a widow from central Kansas, appealed to a Presbyterian Church organization to establish a home for seniors. Her vision became the first Presbyterian Manor community in Newton, Kan., and

Ladies breakfast

inspired others to do even more.

Today PMMA remains true to the spirit of Alice’s vision, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.

For more information about Founders Day activities, contact Kim Fair, marketing director, at kfair@pmma.org.

Chaplain Mary’s Musings column in February was about the lessons learned from the book “Green Eggs and Ham” by Theodore Geisel— Dr. Seuss. In March, the Ladies Breakfast served green eggs and ham, sautéed spinach with green peppers and chives, and fresh croissants with jalapeno jelly. Thanks to Keith Brown for that very special meal.

The ladies really enjoyed it. The next Ladies Breakfast is planned for Tuesday, April 7, at 8:30 a.m.

Quick study: The latest on Vitamin D and Dementia

By Laine Bergeson for Next Avenue Older adults who are severely vitamin D deficient have a 122 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology.

The research team, led by Dr. David Llewellyn at the University of Exeter Medical School, anticipated a link between vitamin D deficiency and cognitive problems (previous research has shown a general correlation). But they were surprised by how high the risk was.

“The association was twice as strong as we anticipated,” Llewellyn says.

Adults moderately deficient in vitamin D had a 53 percent increased risk of developing dementia of any kind. Those who were severely deficient had 125 percent increased risk.

The large-scale study looked at 1,658 adults older than 65 over the course of six years.

Clinicians have stopped short of saying that supplementing with vitamin D will reduce the risk of dementia — more studies need to be done, they add — but with one billion people worldwide estimated to be low in vitamin D and

approximately 44 million suffering from dementia, this is a significant, and possibly encouraging, finding.

3 Ways To Get Your D Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to a wide variety of health problems, from cancer to decreased immune function to depression. To maintain optimal vitamin D levels: 1. Let the sun shine in. When exposed to sunlight, our skin converts the rays into vitamin D. Older adults’ skin may be less

efficient at this, however, making it more important to get vitamin D levels tested and perhaps take a supplement.

2. Find other healthy sources.

Vitamin D is found in certain oily fish, mushrooms and supplements.

If you take vitamin D in supplement form, keep in mind that it is better absorbed by the body when eaten with a meal containing healthy fat.

3. Get tested.You can ask your doctor for a vitamin D test or order one through a direct-to-consumer service such as Direct Labs. Testing may be especially important for people living in northern climates, where exposure to bright summer sunlight (the kind that triggers vitamin D production in the body) is limited.

Copyright© 2014 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. Salina Presbyterian Manor

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Art is Agless juried exhibit

The 2015 Art is Ageless juried exhibit was March 17 to 19, culminating in the final exhibit, artist reception, and announcement of awards the evening of March 19. Honors will be reported in the May issue of Community Matters. This is also the 35th anniversary year of the Art is Ageless program. We have much to celebrate this year!

Congratulations to all who participated in the annual Art is Ageless event. Your artworks make it the success it is.

Dinner theater outing planned

We’re planning a trip to the Ellsworth Correctional Facility on May 2 for the annual Spiritual Life Center’s dinner theater. This year’s production is “Regrets Only,” a play about two cantankerous grannies who crash the wedding reception of an unsuspecting bride and groom so they can eat free food and steal rolls of toilet paper from the restrooms. Cost is $25 per person. Sign up deadline is April 6. The bus will leave for Ellsworth at 4:15 p.m. Those who have attended previously have found it to be a very special event.

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Community Matters April 2015

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Mollie Peredes, employee of the month for March.

Mollie has worked in housekeeping in the Environmental Services department for seven months.

She has three daughters: Amanda, Kim and Amy. She enjoys jewelry making, gardening and crafts.

One thing we didn’t know about Mollie is that she played basketball and was a cheerleader. She was also a nurse aide in a senior living community in the past. Mollie is an avid fan of Oklahoma Thunder basketball and a KU fan. Her goal is to let her co-workers know that every day we come here we are a blessing to our residents. And they are a blessing to us.

Art opportunity For Art Discovery in April, we’ll create our own blossoming branches on April 13 at 3 p.m. in the lower level.

One of the health care art projects will be painting with credit cards, spatulas and feathers.

Salina Presbyterian Manor celebrates 35 years of service The 1980s were a busy time for Salina Presbyterian Manor. Leading the way were early staff who had the first impact on how we would evolve and what we would become.

The initial key employees were Executive Director Rick Short, Director of Nursing Betty Roberts, bookkeeper Beth Miller, and

Rick Short

Fran Burdick

Betty Roberts

Beth Miller

receptionist Fran Burdick. We have been very fortunate in our 36 years to have great stability of staff. In that time we have had only three directors of nursing (now called Health Services Directors). Betty served for 17 years, Kathy Corona for 16 years, and now Desi Flerlage will soon start her third year.

Beth Miller, the first bookkeeper, is still an active volunteer in her retirement.

In 1982, a wing was repurposed for assisted living to support residents who were unable to live completely independently, but who did not require 24-hour nursing care.

On March 20, 1986, ground was broken to construct the first

townhome court. The first duplex townhome was dedicated on Nov. 1, 1986. Another nine townhomes were built on Vista Court according to demand.

In the late 1980s, construction started on a $500,000 wing of the Health Care Center. The addition included 10 private rooms and was built between the two existing wings. Courtyards were included in the plan so residents had a place to enjoy the outdoors.

Wii bowling online competition Our Salina Presbyterian Manor Wii bowlers have been competing the last several weeks in the National Senior League (NSL) spring bowling tournament. Seventy-two communities entered at least one team for a total of 80 teams playing in the lower-level divisions. All levels combined, 122 teams are competing.

The NSL provides senior bowlers with an opportunity to create and enjoy a team environment, enjoy a fun and social atmosphere, and be competitive if they choose.

Our bowlers are Romaine and Elsie Swanson, Mary Havel, and Maxine Hays. Karen Larsen serves as the coach. We have been posting their progress and are hoping to be in the finals, which start after April 9. Be sure to congratulate our bowlers on their season.

Salina Presbyterian Manor

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Musings from Chaplain Mary I’d like to share with you one of my favorite Easter stories: Little Philip, born with Down’s syndrome, attended a third-grade Sunday school class with several 8-year-old boys and girls. Typical of that age, the children did not readily accept Philip with his differences. But because of a creative teacher, they began to care about Philip and accept him as part of the group, though not fully.

The Sunday after Easter the teacher brought L’eggs pantyhose containers, the kind that look like large eggs. The children were told to go outside on that lovely spring day, find some symbol for new life, and put it in their egg-like container. Back in the classroom, they would share their newlife symbols, opening the containers one by one. After running about the church property in wild confusion, the students returned to the classroom and placed the containers on the table.

Surrounded by the children, the teacher began to open them. After each one, whether flower, butterfly, or leaf, the class would ooh and ahh. Then one was opened, revealing nothing inside. The children exclaimed, “That’s stupid. That’s not fair. Somebody didn’t do their assignment.”

Philip spoke up, “That’s mine.” The students retorted, “Philip, you don’t ever do things right! There’s nothing there!”

“I did so do it,” Philip insisted. “I did do it. It’s empty. The tomb was empty!”

Silence followed. From then on Philip became a full member of the class.

He died not long afterward from an infection most normal children would have shrugged off. At the funeral his Sunday school class of 8-year-olds marched up to the altar not with flowers, but with their Sunday School teacher, each to lay on it an empty pantyhose egg.

Activities & happenings • On April Fools Day, Health Care residents will have a unique surprise—edible books.

• Health Care residents will also have some cooking opportunities, and one will result in peach cobbler.

• A fun exercise will be a ‘smell test’ where participants will try to identify items by smell.

• We have suffered with March Madness long enough. On Monday, April 6, that will end with the championship game. We’ll have gameworthy treats in the coffee bar, and the television will be ready for those who want to watch the game with their neighbors. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m.

He is Risen!

Coming Up in Community Matters Community Matters will focus on gardening and outdoor life in an upcoming issue.

Are you an avid gardener, or were you when you were more physically able? What did you love about gardening? What did you grow?

Does your campus have a raised bed garden that you help with now? What do you enjoy about being outdoors?

If you have a story to tell, contact Marketing Director Kim Fair to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.

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Community Matters April 2015

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