Salina Presbyterian Manor
SEPTEMBER 2020
New executive director has seen the power of teamwork at Salina Presbyterian Manor Managing a senior living community during a pandemic is challenging, and even more so if you’re new to the community. Christian Gilbert, executive director of Salina Presbyterian Manor, assumed his new position on June 22. A 13-year veteran of the aging services field, he was previously executive director at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor. On his second day in Salina, he got Christian Gilbert the news that a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. He and multiple other staff picked up the phone to notify employees, residents and families. The community also participated in contact tracing and identified other staff who needed to be tested. “It was a lot of footwork to figure out how we could reduce the risk of spreading it,” Christian said. “And our efforts did just that. I believe we were able to keep it from spreading throughout the building because everybody has worked so hard to follow infection control policies and make sure we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing.” Over the last several weeks, the community has taken small steps toward reopening. Presbyterian Manor is now offering limited communal dining and activities. Residents may make a reservation TEAMWORK - continued on page 5
Salina Presbyterian Manor’s assisted living has perfect infection control survey
Salina Presbyterian Manor’s assisted living got a perfect score on its assisted living focused infection control survey July 29. The survey was conducted by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). During its special session in June, the Kansas Legislature instructed KDADS to survey all adult care homes and other adult services licensed by the state within 90 days to ensure their readiness to respond to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “During this COVID pandemic, I have witnessed the assisted living and memory care staff pour their hearts into our residents like never before,” said Amy Thompson, assisted living director of nursing. “From increased one-on-one activities, assisting with window visits with families and being a shoulder to cry on when a resident is missing a loved one on top of their normal workload. Not to mention the personal sacrifices of volunteering for extra shifts, SURVEY - continued on page 5
Salina Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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COVID-19 relief fund provides residents with technology, socially distanced entertainment The 2020 pandemic ushered in many changes at Salina Presbyterian Manor. Instead of visiting in person, many residents connect with their loved ones via video chat. The usual group activities have been replaced with one-on one games, crafts and puzzles. Change doesn’t come without need, so in April PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America) asked the community to contribute to a COVID-19 relief fund. As of early August, donations
to Salina Presbyterian Manor’s COVID-19 fund totaled $18,445, said Sarah Oenning, PMMA vice president of giving. The donations are being spent on additional iPads and other technology that enable residents to video chat with family and friends. The fund also covers more books, puzzles, personal hygiene items, bird feeders and craft supplies. “These are all items that are keeping our residents connected to their families, entertained, and well taken care of during this
Each donor to the COVID-19 fund is represented on a wall at Salina Presbyterian Manor. challenging time,” Sarah said. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has given to this fund.” If you would like to contribute to the COVID-19 fund, you may pick up a donation envelope at Presbyterian Manor, or visit Giving. PresbyterianManors.org. ◆
Welcome, new independent living residents
Normally, Salina Presbyterian Manor hosts regular meet-and-greets for independent living residents. These events are a great way for newer residents to get to know their neighbors.
As social distancing practices still in place, we decided to introduce five new residents of our independent living community. Each has moved in since the beginning of the year.
Ann Jett
Ann Jett moved to Presbyterian Manor on Feb. 1. She is originally from Clarinda, Iowa, and moved to Salina in 1961. She taught fifth grade at Meadowlark Grade School for seven years. She and her husband had five boys. Ann moved to Presbyterian Manor because she heard great things about the community. “I just love the people here,” Ann said. “They take such good care of me. The other new independent living residents are Mark Crow, Mike and Diane O’Connor, and Connie Johnson. If you would like to learn more about Salina Presbyterian Manor, please call 785-825-1366. ◆
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
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.
Many thanks to the following donors who gave generously to the COVID-19 fund: Bruce & Marilyn Benysheck Hazel W. Brown Leonard & Lyla Buehre Mary Lou Crawford Marilyn Dilling Greg & Eileen Downs Patricia L. Dutrack Gina Elder Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Exline Mr. & Mrs. William F. Grosser, III Dr. Perry U. Hunsley Kenneth J. Jennison Mary A. Johnson Barbara J. Knight Don C. & Florence M. McCune Foundation Mildred & Rolland Middlekauff Foundation Gretchen Morgenstern Mr. & Mrs. Ronald J. Peiffer Clarence A. Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Larry Root Marie L. Scott Helga M. Smith Elizabeth A. Timmel Patricia M. Tomlins Charles and Jane Weathers To submit or suggest articles: cboos@PMMA.org Christian Gilbert, executive director Melissa McCoy, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020
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Salina Presbyterian Manor feels like home to third-generation resident Though she moved in recently, Connie Johnson’s path to Salina Presbyterian Manor began even before construction started 40 years ago. Connie’s mother-in-law had Alzheimer’s disease, and the family desperately needed a place that could provide a high level of care. As a consequence, her father-inlaw made a significant donation to the building fund. A retired civil engineer, he even reviewed the construction plans. On the first day of operations, Connie’s mother-in-law, fatherin-law and grandmother became residents. Connie’s mother also moved in later. Connie and her husband became active volunteers at Presbyterian Manor, and her husband served two terms as the chairman of the Salina Presbyterian Manor advisory board. Connie’s husband secured an “anniversary date” for the two of them in 1993. The nonrefundable fee gave the couple priority on waiting lists to enter the community. “By the time I needed to move in, I was number one on the list,” Connie said. “I feel like my husband is still looking after me, even though he’s been gone 10 years.” She first used her place on the list to secure a spot in the PATH program after a broken hip a couple of years ago. The program made some changes
based on her feedback.
“I think a lot of times, people don’t want to say something,” Connie said. “But I’m not timid.” Those conversations led to Connie joining the Mission Committee, which is composed of residents, those who plan to become residents, and people who have family members living at Presbyterian Manor. The committee hears concerns and suggestions and seeks to resolve them. “We’re transparent about everything,” Connie said. During her tenure, she has seen Presbyterian Manor respond to concerns and implement suggestions presented to the committee. That made her even more confident about her plan to eventually move in. After Connie broke her leg this spring, she decided that time had come. Once again, her anniversary date ensured that she could move right in. “The staff just couldn’t do enough for me to make me comfortable,” she said. “They never made me feel like I was asking too much.”
Connie Johnson “I’m so glad I’m here, and I know I’ll be here for the rest of my life,” Connie said. She can have that assurance because Presbyterian Manor’s Good Samaritan Program covers costs for residents who have outlived their financial means through no fault of their own. “My children won’t have to worry about me,” Connie said. “That’s the best gift I can give them.” Connie already knows many of the residents, some of whom were her high school classmates. “It’s just as much home and family as it could possibly be,” she said. ◆
Her fellow independent living residents have slipped welcome notes under her door and left gifts of fruit or freshly popped popcorn. Salina Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Mary’s Musings By Mary Bridges, chaplain
It is an understatement to say 2020 has been a year unlike any we have experienced. Judging from my visits with residents, the consensus is the hardest part is not knowing what it is going to be like tomorrow, next week or next year. Our world has changed so much. I always try to focus on the positive in life instead of the negative. Take some time to reflect on the things that have not changed. Beginning July 27, we began exploring the “Peace Prayer” in our weekly hallway and lobby chapel services: “Make Me an instrument of Your peace.” In Kent Nerburn’s introduction to the prayer, he writes, “It shines through all the contradictions and illuminates the way of the spirit like a light from the heart of God. It is profoundly and decidedly Christian yet irrefutable and fundamentally universal. It is a gentle hand guiding us.” My prayer for our residents, staff, family and friends as you look to the “Peace Prayer” for guidance is simple and heartfelt: Gracious God, bring peace to the hearts and minds of all your children and your creation.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Grant that I may not so much seek
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
To be understood as to understand;
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; O Divine Master,
To be consoled as to console; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen ◆
COVID-19 updates continue
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, SalinaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020
SURVEY - continued from page 1
postponing vacations, staying home to protect our residents and all that hand washing!” “Our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values is lived out every day by our employees,” said Christian Gilbert, executive director. “Receiving zero deficiencies in both health care and now assisted living is a testament
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to eat in the dining room once a day for now. They can participate in small-group exercise in the morning and a group activity in the afternoon, though these are limited to 10 people wearing masks six feet apart from one another. Residents may also leave the community to keep routine medical appointments without having to quarantine when they return. Christian’s main concern in reopening the community is avoiding a new case, as that would shut everything down again. “I’m worried that there’s the chance we could throw our residents and our families into this yo-yo,” he said. “The biggest challenge is going to be reopening slowly and cautiously to reduce the chances of yo-yoing.” Reopening will continue to happen gradually based on a number of factors, both internal and external. These include staffing and PPE supply levels, cases in the community, access to testing and local hospital capacity. Presbyterian Manor receives updates from the
to our employees’ dedication to our residents and their health and safety.” The purpose of a focused infection control survey is to examine the facility’s policies and emergency preparedness related to a pandemic or outbreak and a facility’s adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and KDADS guidance for infection control practices to prevent
diseases. During the survey, communities are assessed on staff and resident education on hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette, cleaning, screening of employees and residents, effective transmission-based precautions, proper use/discarding of personal protective equipment and signage at entrances and resident rooms. ◆
Saline County Health Department that help inform these decisions. “Family members may see the rest of the community opening up, restaurants opening up, and they don’t understand why we can’t open our doors and let them in,” Christian said. “They appreciate that we’re cautious, but at the same time they are anxious to see their loved ones again.” But we’re in a “heartbreaking” situation, he said. “We’ve had to celebrate birthdays and wedding anniversaries through the window, which is challenging,” Christian said. “When your mom has her 100th birthday and you don’t get to hug her, that’s tough. It’s really tough.” Christian credits the staff at Presbyterian Manor for providing increased emotional support to the residents and performing tasks that family members would ordinarily do. They have kept residents connected with the outside world through video chats and window visits. Staff also bring news from Presbyterian Manor to the wider community via social media. “We’re doing a lot more Facebook
posts so that loved ones can see that even though we’re isolated and shut down, we’re still keeping the residents as busy and active as possible,” Christian said. He has been impressed by the power of teamwork. Senior leadership have worked 14-hour days and on weekends to help with screening entrants to the building. Staff at all levels have pitched in to perform tasks outside their job description. Many staff members are helping out with meal deliveries, a labor-intensive but essential process. “They’re committed to our mission,” Christian said. “They believe in serving seniors and providing them the best experience. “You know, we’re a family. And when family is in crisis, that’s what you do. You step up and take care of them.”◆
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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.
August Employee of the Month: Tina Dennis Tina Dennis’ vivid red, white and blue leggings caught a resident’s eye.
When the resident complimented the laundry technician on her festive outfit, Tina used her own money to buy the resident a matching pair of leggings. Tina has worked at Salina Presbyterian Manor for the past two years. She has two children: Desirea, 28, and Zane, 23. A native of California, she has lived in the Salina area since 1992. Her hobbies include reading, camping and watching documentaries. Many thanks to Tina for her love and care for our residents. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020