Salina Presbyterian Manor
MARCH 2020
Mary’s Musings By Mary Bridges, chaplain
“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” — Eleanor Brown, author I am excited to announce that the “We Care” support group will resume this month. The most exciting part is that we will be inviting members of the community and surrounding area to join us for conversation and sharing. When families deal with dementia or other chronic health issues, the caregivers often neglect to care for themselves.
Grecia Castenada-Torres
Social worker takes care of ‘odds and ends’
Grecia Castenada-Torres originally planned to be a nurse. While a student at Fort Hays State, she worked as an aide in a senior living community and observed how the social worker provided emotional support for residents. She switched her major. Grecia knew she wanted to work with people at the beginning or end of their lives. SOCIAL - continued on page 2
A 2003 study of caregivers by a research team at Ohio State University discovered a significant deterioration in the health of caregivers when compared to a similar group of non-caregivers. Even more disturbing is the fact that caregivers had a 63 percent higher death rate than the control group. Before the end of the six-year study, 70 percent of the caregivers had died. These are brutal realities that must be addressed to protect the long-term wellbeing of those caring for the elderly. In 2004, a study performed by the University of California’s Department of Psychiatry reported MUSINGS - continued on page 2
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“Both [populations] need to have their needs met,” Grecia said. “I think it’s important that they have someone speak for them.” Grecia worked in child welfare as a reintegration caseworker for St. Francis Community Services before joining the staff at Salina Presbyterian Manor as social services director. In July, she will have been here for three years. Being a social worker at a senior living community entails “a lot of odds and ends,” she says. Grecia works to resolve complaints and talks to family members when a resident has an unmet need. She also conducts depression screenings and assists with continuity of care. “I like being able to sit and take the time to talk to residents,” Grecia said. “It’s surprising to hear what people go through in their lives. It makes you realize how some people are really resilient.” At home, Grecia keeps busy with her husband and daughter Yadira, who is about three months old. Whenever she can, Grecia begins her day with a morning jog. “It clears my head,” she said. ◆
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that family caregiving can take as many as 10 years from a caregiver’s life. Please share this with caregivers in your life. Encourage them to attend our first meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. If you need to bring your loved one with you, we will have trained staff on hand to assist. We hope this group will give caregivers an opportunity to connect and to share, laugh and recharge. We hope to provide a new perspective on caregiving and suggest self-care ideas. Snacks will be served. “When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” — Jean Shinoda Bolen, psychiatrist
make as gifts for all those moving to the Presbyterian Manor. They are a funky heart shape and are made of fleece. We are also going to rename the group that makes our pillows, presently called Stitch and Pray. (See my January newsletter column for the story of our pillows.) We currently meet at 2 p.m. in the chapel on the first and third Thursdays of the month. This is a great opportunity to meet new people. Refreshments are always served, and we share lots of conversation and laughter as we assemble our special pillows. It takes a village to make a pillow, and we need more village members. Volunteers are welcome to join us.
Contest announcement
Those submitting the winning names will be awarded special prizes. The winners and our new names will be announced in the April newsletter.
We will hold a contest to rename our “pillow making group” and the pillows we make. During March, we are asking for suggestions for a new name for the fleece pillows that we
You may leave your suggestions in the comments section of this Facebook posting or email them to Chaplain Mary at mbridges@ pmma.org. ◆
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SALINA Presbyterian Manor 785-825-1366 ◆ Fax: 785-825-6554 2601 E. Crawford Salina, KS 67401-3898 SalinaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2020
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) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: mmccoy@PMMA.org Desi Flerlage, executive director Melissa McCoy, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
‘Well-rounded’ RN works the night shift Amy Peterson holds the record for the longest-tenured registered nurse at Salina Presbyterian Manor. The Kansas Wesleyan University graduate has been a nurse since 1996, and she’s spent nearly her entire career at Presbyterian Manor. For 17 years, she has worked the overnight shift from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the health care center. “I felt led to nursing when I was in junior high,” Amy said. “I feel lucky that I just knew what I wanted to do.” Amy initially planned to become a nurse anesthetist or work in psychiatric care. Though a longterm care setting was not her original plan, the field suits her. “We get to do a little bit of everything,” Amy said. These tasks range from dietary education and medication management to serving as a friend and confidant to residents. “You get to do the science part of nursing, but also the human part,”
Amy said. “It’s amazing.” She also appreciates the connections she has with her coworkers and the residents, as well as the atmosphere in the health care center. “More than anything, this is the residents’ home,” she said. “We’re just making it as comfortable as possible.” In her own home, Amy dotes on her two dogs: a cardigan Welsh corgi named Hiccup and Tonk, a husky/lab mix. She keeps busy with Bible study and book club. She earned her black belt in the Japanese martial art Aikido, which emphasizes defense and protecting attackers from injury. Amy has also developed an impressive traveling track record, having visited Mexico, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Iceland, Japan and Italy. “I try to be a well-rounded person,” Amy said. ◆
Amy Peterson during a recent trip to Japan.
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March activities at Salina Presbyterian Manor March 2: HC trip to Jim’s Chicken
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
March 3: Ladies International Breakfast
March 17: Trip to Dillons
March 3-5: Art is Ageless March 4: Spa time in rooms March 6: Dine with Directors March 9: Trip to Oz museum March 10: Wine and Cheese Birthday Celebration March 12: Trip to Walmart March 12: MC trip to Sale Barn
March 17: AL Birthday Party
March 23: AL Resident Council
March 18: Men’s Breakfast
March 24: Great Plains Theatre — “Alabama Story”
March 18: IL Resident Council
March 24: Cancer Support Group
March 18: Bible Study March 18: We Care Support Group March 19: Matinee Movie and Martinelli’s March 19: Gina’s Art Class
March 25: MC Trip to Smoky Hill Museum March 26: Bingo March 27: Town Home Manor Mingle March 31: Taste and Travel — Mattie’s Grill and Chill
March 20: HC trip to Perkins * Activities subject to change
March 22: Salina Symphony — “An Afternoon of Rodgers & Hammerstein”
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SPM employees give back through payroll deduction In January, we rolled out our employee giving payroll deduction program. Within 72 hours, 55 employees committed to giving a portion of their paycheck to benefit Salina Presbyterian Manor. Employees have the option to
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2020
allocate their gifts to the Good Samaritan Program, Employee Education Fund, or unrestricted giving. The Good Samaritan Program provides funding to assist residents who outlive their financial
resources through no fault of their own. The Employee Scholarship assists employees seeking to gain certification, licensure or a degree from an accredited educational program. Unrestricted gifts are used in the area of greatest need. ◆
January Employee of the Month: Kiara Barnes Congratulations to Kiara Barnes, employee of the month for January. Kiara has worked as a dining services assistant with Salina Presbyterian Manor for three and a half years.
walking trails when the weather is warm.
In her spare time, Kiara enjoys taking her dog to the dog park, spending time with family and
Kiara enjoys working at Presbyterian Manor, and we are thankful to have her on our team! ◆
One of Kiara’s life goals is to become a traveling nurse. Something you might not know about Kiara: she has a twin sister.
Kiara Barnes
Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception features senior artists Local senior artists will be celebrated March 3 and 4 at Salina Presbyterian Manor, as the community hosts its annual Art is Ageless® exhibit and observes the 40th anniversary of the Art is Ageless program.
to include a juried art competition open to all seniors age 65 and older.
Art is Ageless offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity.
The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of acrylics, oils, photography and various other mediums, ranging from amateur to professional levels. Winning pieces at the community level move on to masterpiece level judging, which determines the pieces featured in the annual calendar and note cards.
“It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Melissa McCoy, marketing director. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Salina community.” The first Art is Ageless calendar was published in 1981, featuring art from Presbyterian Manor community residents. Since then, the program has expanded
The Art is Ageless exhibit will be open from 2– 6 p.m. March 3 and 4 and feature works from local artists.
In addition to the exhibit, Salina Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception and final exhibit at the community from
4 – 6 p.m. March 5. For more information about Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org. For more about Salina Presbyterian Manor, visit SalinaPresbyterianManor.org or contact Melissa McCoy at 785-8251366 or mmccoy@pmma.org. ◆
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SALINA Presbyterian Manor
2601 E. Crawford Salina, KS 67401-3898 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Change to compliance hotline
PMMA’s corporate compliance program provides a mechanism for the organization to guard against misconduct by employees, service partners, volunteers and others who are regularly in PMMA’s communities in compliance with federal and state laws governing providers of health care services. It is everyone’s responsibility to report suspected misconduct without fear of retaliation or retribution. PMMA uses a third party provider to manage the compliance hotline to ensure anonymity of those who report suspected misconduct. This company recently made upgrades to its system, which have changed the way people can report suspected misconduct, offering both telephone and online options. The new toll free number is 1-844-973-0049. A new web portal offers the ability to make a report via the internet at www.pmma.ethicspoint.com. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2020
YOU MATTER A Special Insert Highlighting the Efforts of PMMA Donors and Volunteers
FOR THE LOVE OF THE MISSION Live. Work. Give. At some organizations these three words are mutually exclusive— but not at PMMA. Every day, our campus is blessed by countless individuals who effortlessly blur the lines between living, working and giving. In the fall, we kicked off an education and awareness program called “Live. Work. Give.” Our goal was to grow the love of mission within our employees. The result was outstanding.
started. Their gifts help the mission. exponentially. The financial impact is important, but equally important is the adoption of a culture of inclusion, empowerment and celebration. Employees are making a difference not only through their unique roles, but through their individual gifts.
“Giving is such a joy and this effort allows Employees proudly wearing their “Live. Work. Give.” T-shirts for deeper connections To date, 54 employees among employees, have elected to give through payroll residents and the greater community,” said deduction—verses only one when we executive director Desi Flerlage.
SALINA FUNDRAISING DASHBOARD Gifts received in 2019 were restricted in the following program areas. Every gift will be used here in your community.
MARCH 2020
THE FAQS ON THE SECURE ACT The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was enacted Jan. 1, 2020. With it came many questions for those who are planning for retirement, retired or who are retiring in the near future. Passed as part of a spending bill, the SECURE Act brought with it the most significant changes to retirement plans since 2006. While some changes impact you, others will impact the people you name as a beneficiary. Changes to Know
1. You can contribute to your IRA longer. Previously, you could not contribute to your IRA after reaching the age of 70½. However, more and more people are working past that age. The SECURE Act repeals this age limitation, allowing you more time to save. 2. The required minimum distribution (RMD) age changed. The SECURE Act changed the age at which you must start taking RMDs from your retirement account from 70½ to 72 for those who were born July 1, 1949, or later. This change allows you additional time to grow the funds in your account before you have to start withdrawing from it. 3. IRA beneficiary rules have changed. Prior to the SECURE Act, beneficiaries could take distributions throughout their lives. This offered tax savings for the beneficiary. The SECURE Act preserved this option for beneficiaries who are spouses, but repeals it for non-spousal IRA beneficiaries. They will now have 10 years to withdraw the entire amount. What Stayed the Same
If you’re 70½ or older, you can still make a tax-free gift to a qualified charitable organization. You can transfer any amount up to $100,000 per year directly to a qualified charitable organization without paying income tax on the distribution. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions. Your gift will also be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference you’re making. Please contact Sarah Oenning at soenning@pmma.org to discuss your benefits. Review Your Plans If you have questions about the impact of the SECURE Act on your retirement plans, be sure to make an appointment with your financial advisor. They can review the plans you have in place (including your beneficiary designations) and help make sure you are still on the right track.
Learn all the ways friends and family make PMMA
better by visiting giving.
presbyterianmanors.org. Want to talk one on one? Call us at 316.685.1100.
Sarah Oenning Vice President, Department of Giving soenning@pmma.org Patti Christen Regional Director of Giving pchristen@pmma.org Regina Barger Stewardship Manager rbarger@pmma.org Fran Pack Donor Information Specialist fpack@pmma.org