Sterling Community Matters May 2017

Commun ty Matters May 2017

Sterling Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

Summer memories

We will be featuring summertime, Independence Day, and vacation memories in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story to tell about any of these topics, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share your story.

If you’ve got a story to share, contact Cindy Moore and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Sterling Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners

Sterling Presbyterian Manor recently hosted a reception for the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Cindy Moore, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Judges Choice: “Red Rock Country” Kay Johnson Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the masterpiece level.

Winning entries at the masterpiece level may be selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.

Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.

Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Art is Ageless program encourages Sterling Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.

See our winners list on page 4

Fond Memories of Fast Pitch

As summer approaches, many turn their thoughts and time toward the ball field.

One common way the residents of Sterling stayed active throughout their lives was playing softball. Resident Linda McNutt has been active her entire life, playing fast-pitch softball since she could walk. She led her team to many victories during her multi-decade career. One of her old coaches, resident John Moore, lives down the hall, and they often reminisce about their old softball days.

Glenda and Mike’s Mysteries and Wonders Magic Show came

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to Presbyterian Manor April 3 to show appreciation and give laughs to our volunteers and residents! Executive Director Mike Rajewski even “volunteered” to be the human puppet “Mr.Tickles” for the ventriloquist act.

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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Sterling Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of

501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Mike Rajewski, executive director Cindy Moore, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact cmoore@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-278-3651 Fax: 620-278-3581 Address: 204 W. Washington, Sterling, KS 67579-1614 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

SterlingPresbyterianManor.org

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Pastor Ken Connor’s Corner “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Proverbs 15:1

Two thoughts come to mind as I look at this proverb. First, it is easier said than done. Second, we have really missed the point God was trying to make with this verse.

We have always looked at, and taught, that this means if you give a gentle answer, it will stop the other person from being mad at us. That may work once in a great while. I really think that what God is trying to get us to understand is that when we give a gentle answer, it keeps me from getting caught up in the emotion of the moment. It turns my wrath aside, so that I can keep calm and not add to the destruction that always accompanies angry outbursts.

Gaining balance and strength with the motivational therapists from Aegis

FITNESS SPOTLIGHT:

In October 2016, Sterling Presbyterian Manor welcomed an addition to the community in the form of five feisty and fit females who are keeping the residents on their toes. The team includes Physical Therapy Assistant Hailey Ruder, Occupational Therapy Assistant Teasha Choitz, Physical Therapist Patty, Occupational Therapist Cathy, and Speech Therapist Allison.

While the three therapists travel to different communities, assistants Hailey and Teasha work solely at the Sterling community.

Hailey took time to tell us about her experience over these first seven months.

As our physical therapy assistant, Hailey enjoys helping residents work on their balance, maneuvering obstacles, and community integration outside on nice days. “The community feel is the best thing about being here. Everyone knows everyone. Staff encourages the residents. Residents encourage each other,” she said. “We can be walking down the hall and the client we are working with will get cheers of ‘good job,’ ‘looking good’ and ‘way to go’ from other residents.

“This is a small town, and many grew up together, and you can feel it in the tight-knit atmosphere. Often when we have multiple residents in the therapy room, they will carry on conversations about the past. Listening to their stories and seeing their friendships with one another just makes your heart smile.”

Hailey’s proudest moments have come from watching someone advance from needing a lot of help to being able to go home and be successful in the community again. “One resident who

Left to Right: Hailey Ruder, PTA; Julie Miller, director of rehabilitation, and Teasha Choitz, OTA.

has progressed enough to go back home now is working out at the Wellness Center weekly, determined to keep himself moving. Another who moved in shortly after we started was unable to stand. We worked with him for two months and watched him leave here and go home to his wife able to complete all his transfers by himself and able to walk 10 to 15 feet. I felt even more proud of him and personally blessed when he told me that he hadn’t walked in two years, and he thanked us for adding some quality back to his life.”

The community atmosphere sets Sterling Presbyterian Manor apart from other facilities, Hailey said. “We are able to build better relationships with the residents because we learn so much about their lives from hearing them open up to their friends. Teasha and I specifically get the opportunity to build better relationships with them since we are based out of Sterling Manor and they know us personally as well. They know what to expect with us and that makes them feel better and less anxious about therapies.”

For example, one resident was opposed to using a walker when she began

therapy, although she really needed one to stay safe. “ Once we were around enough to be a familiar face, and after seeing her friends be successful with us, she finally gave in and is buzzing around with her walker looking steady and safe and having cheers from others when she passes them in the hall,” Hailey said.

“Outside of therapy, I think Sterling Manor sets itself apart with their concentration on resident-centered care. The eating accommodations here are unlike any I have seen. The walk to dine, the various dining locations, the adaptability to meet the desires of the resident to eat where and with whom they want are incredible and I believe keep them happy, which helps them perform better throughout their day.”

The Aegis team tries to maintain and support a consistent 50 percent of the Presbyterian Manor population at all times. They are active in resident care planning, keeping up with residents even after they have left therapy, and screening residents as needed to keep them active and strong, and continuing on regular fitness routines.

STERLING PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3

Winners in the Sterling Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless® juried competition were: Judges Choice: “Red Rock Country” Kay Johnson People’s Choice: “Heart in the Middle” Shirley Fair Mixed Media/Crafts (professional or amateur): “2 Squirrels” Robert Enders Painting (professional or amateur): A-“Joy” Linda Skinner; P- “Untitled” Don Caviness Quilting (professional or amateur): “Heart in the Middle” Shirley Fair

Painting (professional): “Untitled” Don Caviness

Sculpture/3-D (professional or amateur): “Looking for Lunch” Robert Enders Needlework (professional or amateur): “Autumn in New England” Kay Johnson

People’s Choice Award and Quilting (professional or amateur):“Heart in the Middle” Shirley Fair

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Sterling Presbyterian Manor 204 W. Washington Sterling, KS 67579-1614

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