Salina Community Matters October 2017

Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor

October 2017

Mary’s musings

By Mary Bridges, chaplain, Salina Presbyterian Manor

I love living in Kansas because it allows me to experience and enjoy all four seasons, even if I complain loudly about the horrible heat or chilling cold. I like it when life slows down and I have some time to just sit on my glider and enjoy God’s creation. This most often brings me to the “whys.” Some of my “whys” are important questions and others are just me wondering about “why” God did this and not this. Sometimes my mind seems to give me an answer and other times I have no clue and I tuck that question away for another time.

I’ve often wondered about why God created the changing seasons.

I know seeds and plants use the shifting seasons to become dormant and then to become a time of growth. What would my world MUSINGS, continued on page 2

Getting to know: Amy Breneman When Amy Breneman was getting ready to finish nursing school, she was convinced she would go into the highly stressful world of the intensive care unit at a hospital. Instead, she wound up in the highly satisfying world of senior care.

“Getting to know the residents and their stories is just amazing, and being able to share that is awesome,” Amy said.

BRENEMAN, continued on page 2

MUSINGS, continued from page 1

look like if it were one season all yearround? Recently while pondering these “whys,” I decided that the changing seasons give me time to pause and ponder and focus on the beauty of the coming season and to be reminded once again of a loving God who designed and created this world that I live in. Maybe it’s his way of helping me to slow down for a time as I adjust to the new season and its gifts to me.

Autumn is a gift for my eyes as I enjoy the rich reds, golds, oranges and purples of it in the leaves. Although our gardens are becoming dormant, there is one more splash of color in the beautiful chrysanthemums. The

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 Jenni Jones, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Jenni Jones, jjones@pmma.org.

Telephone: 785-825-1366 Fax: 785-825-6554 Address: 2601 E. Crawford, Salina, KS 67401-3898 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

SalinaPresbyterianManor.org

2

Community Matters October 2017

cooler evenings entice me to sit out on the patio and look to the sky filled with stars and shifting clouds.

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.”

As much as I enjoy the beauty of God’s seasons, while sitting there the reality of our world creeps in. The deaths of three family members in just three months has been difficult.

The news is filled with images of what some are calling a “500-year flood” in Texas. The conflict and anger throughout the world seem to grow with each news cycle. As I ponder on these early autumn days, my “whys” become more complicated and compelling, and often fill me with apprehension, uncertainties and fear. I have found peace in these comforting words of St. Francis:

I invite you this autumn to find a quiet spot, preferably outside and take some time to ponder, to dream, to reflect and to enjoy God’s most beautiful world.

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

You are invited to join our new “Grief and Loss Support Group” on Wednesday, September 20, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel as we share and explore grief, loss, and mourning in our lives.

The terms “grief,” “loss” and “mourning” have slightly different meanings: • Grief is a person’s emotional response to the experience of any loss.

• Loss is the act of losing someone or something important to us.

• Mourning is the outward expression of that grief, including “O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so cultural and religious customs much seek to be consoled as to console; to surrounding death. It is also the be understood as to understand; to be loved process of adapting to life after a as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; loss.

BRENEMAN, continued from page 1

A lifelong resident of the Salina area, Amy joined the Salina Presbyterian Manor team in June as director of assisted living. She worked previously for a home health company.

and being able to form relationships with the residents she sees every day.

Here, she is responsible for both our assisted living and memory care neighborhoods, which hold more than 30 residents. She likes the sense of community she has found here,

Amy is getting married this month to her fiancé, David Thompson. Be sure to give Amy your best wishes on her new position and new marriage.

There are more big changes coming to Amy’s life – she has been busy planning her wedding!

Like us on Facebook

From left: Randall Decker, PTA; Paige Gridley, PTA; Kim Fulkerson, RPT, and Kelly Pruitt, DPT.

October is national Physical Therapy Month You probably think physical therapy is something you need only after an injury or when your health is in decline. But modern physical therapy is turning the focus toward prevention of falls, help with chronic pain and other common wellness concerns for seniors.

“There is a misconception that if you go into therapy, that means there’s something wrong with you,” said Kelly Pruitt, director of physical therapy at Salina Presbyterian Manor.

Kelly came to us through a partnership with Aegis Therapies®, which has been providing our onsite physical therapy services for the past year.

the year about wellness and fall Of course, when accidents or prevention and even learning how to injuries do happen, our therapists eliminate safety risks in the home. are ready to assist residents in their recovery.

Kelly, who holds a doctorate of physical therapy, oversees two Aegis offers unique programs such certified physical therapy assistants, as Freedom Through Functionality, Randall Decker and Paige Gridley, along with clinical programming who work full time at Presbyterian based on extensive rehab outcomes.

Manor.

Their Outcomes Report Cards provide a tangible way for residents They are supported by three and their own physicians to track registered physical therapists who work as needed: Nicholas Martinez, results.

PTA; Creighton Reeves, PTA and Kim Fulkerson, RPT. Kim said it’s definitely easier to maintain your health than try to regain it. “There’s a much bigger push toward preventative care.

Instead of waiting until you’ve fallen, we’re putting practices in place to prevent it,” Kim said.

In recognition of National Physical Therapy Month, which is in October, we asked Kelly and her team about the services they provide Kelly said new strategies are being developed all the time to address and how they can benefit our specific needs for older adults. For residents and the community. example, the Bal-A-Vis-X program Kelly emphasized that physical uses exercises to integrate balance, therapy can not only help you auditory and visual systems to maintain your current level of strengthen coordination between wellness, flexibility, strength and both sides of the brain. It’s helpful balance – it can also help you for many people, and it’s used improve on them. Our therapists do in stroke recovery and dementia educational programs throughout treatments.

Like us on Facebook

Anyone can ask for an evaluation to see if they have issues that could be improved with physical therapy. Risk assessment is just one of the benefits of therapy. Here are many more: • Build strength and coordination • Enhance your ability to get around without an assistive device • Improve range of motion and balance • Manage chronic pain without medication • Recover from pelvic injuries or knee/hip replacement • Provide therapies such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation Salina Presbyterian Manor

3

Twins together again at Salina Presbyterian Manor For the first time that anyone can recall, we have a set of twins living at Salina Presbyterian Manor.

John Komarek moved here in January from a senior community in Lindsborg, where he had lived for five years. He wanted to be closer to the family’s home place – a farm near Bavaria, Kan., west of Salina.

“Big brother” Francis – technically, he’s five minutes older – moved here in August after a stay in our PATH® rehabilitation program.

“John being here influenced me to come,” Francis said. “I liked him being closer instead of going to Lindsborg to see him.”

The twins grew up on the farm, which has stood since their grandfather homesteaded there in 1869. He had immigrated from Germany at age 15. Francis recalled hearing that he got his first tractor in 1916 to plow and harvest the wheat. “My grandpa and dad were both threshermen.” (The twins also grew up hearing about a distant

Francis and John Komarek. Please see page 5 for additional photos.

cousin who went on to fame in the music industry – see the related story.)

Surprisingly, Francis and John were the second set of twins born to their mother (they are fraternal). Sadly, the first twins lived only four days.

The boys also had two older sisters, who both grew up to be school teachers.

Growing up, the brothers enjoyed hunting and fishing together, and they were active in 4-H. Francis has fond memories of holidays at the farm; Thanksgiving and Christmas

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Ruth Werling, Employee of the Month for September. Ruth has worked for Salina Presbyterian Manor for more than 27 years as a CMA-CRA in assisted living.

When Ruth isn’t here, she is probably sleeping (she works nights), cooking or doting on her nieces: Ashley, 25, works for her father, and Amanda, 30, will graduate in May from Purdue University with a master’s degree in marketing. In high school, since Ruth lived a mile from Disneyland, she tried out for the part of Goofy!

Please congratulate Ruth when you see her!

4

Community Matters October 2017

usually turned into family reunions.

Both boys attended Fort Hays Kansas State College, as it was known then, for two years. After that, their paths began to diverge.

Francis transferred to K-State, where he finished up his degree in agricultural engineering (he sports a purple K-State bag on his walker today). He went on to work for the Soil Conservation Service for 31 years. Francis liked school – he is proud to have attended Boys State in Wichita during high school – but John was less academic. “The Army got me,” John said. After six years in the service, John came back to the 900-acre family farm. Francis brags that his brother became an expert welder, and said he was good at playing guitar and yodeling.

As the twins got older, Francis’s son, Jim, took over the farm. He lives nearby with his wife, Emily.

Francis and John say they’re both settling in nicely at Salina Presbyterian Manor, and they’re happy to be able to see each other every day again if they wish. “It’s a good place to live,” Francis said.

Like us on Facebook

‘Cousin Bert’ was world-famous kin Twins Francis and John Komarek grew up hearing that they were related to a songwriter who composed hits for some of the biggest pop artists of our time.

The boys’ grandfather’s sister was the mother of Bert Kaempfert. Bert was born in 1923 in Hamburg, Germany.

According to Wikipedia, Bert had studied music and was already performing with an orchestra when he was conscripted into Hitler’s German Navy band during World War II. After the war, Bert went on to compose easy-listening and jazz music and tour with his own big band.

Bert also composed the music for “Strangers in the Night,” “Danke Schoen” – Wayne Newton’s signature song – “Wooden Heart,” recorded by Elvis Presley, and “L-O-V-E,” recorded by Nat King

Cole. (The lyrics were contributed by other songwriters.)

Bert died in 1980. Francis Komarek has some recordings of performances by his famous second cousin.

TWINS, continued from page 4

Left: Francis and John Komarek at Salina Presbyterian Manor.The farm where they grew up is pictured behind them.

Below: Twins Francis and John Komarek.

An arranger and producer, he hired a little-known English group called The Beatles as the backing band for singer Tony Sheridan for his album “My Bonnie.”

These became the Beatles’ first commercially released recordings.

Like us on Facebook

Salina Presbyterian Manor

5

Healthcare Happenings

New face for the activities department Nicole Jacoby has joined the activities department with her role primarily working with memory care and assisted living residents.

She comes to us from our own Presbyterian Manor staff, and was previously a CNA and housekeeper. She will be a great asset to our team. Please welcome her when you see her.

Here is a summary of our activities planned for October:

Nutty about October Acorn Bingo Peanuts Day Squirrely for Squirrels

Oct. 1: Salina Symphony - Stiefel Oct. 3: KSU Polytechnic Unmanned Aircraft School Tour Oct. 4: ROMEO Breakfast Club – 9th St. Diner Oct. 4: Swedish Dancers Performance

Cooking groups Huttenkasa (German dish) Oatmeal Day (cookie) Pumpkin-Applesauce Bread Dulce de Leche (Mexican dish) Pumpkin Donuts Candy Corn Pizza

Oct. 12: Manor Monologue – SHICK (Medicare/Part D)

We will have a Halloween Party & Birthday Haunted Manor 6-7 p.m.

Oct. 29: Salina Community Theater - Baskerville

Enrollment Information

Oct. 13: Ladies Lunch Club – “The Scheme” Oct. 17: Travel & Taste – Longhorn’s Steakhouse Oct. 18: Salina Historical & Fieldhouse Tour Oct. 24: Sunnyside Pumpkin Patch Oct. 24: Cancer Support Group Oct. 30: Manor Monster Mash Pot Luck Oct. 31: Haunted Manor

Tell your holiday stories We will feature Christmas in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story about Christmas, whether a favorite tradition or a memorable holiday celebration, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story.

Contact Jenni Jones, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

6

Community Matters October 2017

Sign up to receive our newsletter by email.

Visit

SalinaPresbyterianManor.org

and enter your email address in the subscription box.

It’s that easy!

Like us on Facebook