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Community Matters The Glen at Aberdeen Heights

February 2015

Aberdeen Heights honored for achievements Aberdeen Heights received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica for reaching goals in fiscal year 2014, July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014. The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 18 locations to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards. To receive an emerald, a campus has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to campuses that reached their goals in one or more category. Aberdeen Heights was recognized for achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and meeting occupancy goals. “This recognition is a visible sign of Aberdeen Heights’ commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer. HONOR, continued on page 3

Neighbor of the Month Meet resident Mary Ione Berry Mary Ione Berry was born in St. Charles, Mo., as Mary Ione Vatterott. She is known as Ione to her family and friends. One day, when at a function with friends, she met the love of her life, Ken Berry. They married and had six children: four girls and two boys. She and Ken raised their family in Webster Groves. Ione volunteered at Webster College, had a real estate license and was president of the Missouri Questers, whose members take pride in their knowledge about antiques and their collections, and especially in the collection of a lifetime: friendships. Ione and Ken spent their retirement years traveling and visiting children and grandchildren. Besides spending time with her family, one of her favorite activities is painting. The Glen is honored to have Ione Berry as our Neighbor of the Month.

A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America

Chaplain’s message The greatest of these By Rev. Dr. Larry L. Thornton, Aberdeen Village chaplain

February is here again and our thoughts turn to... Valentine’s Day and love! Esther Howland produced the first commercial American Valentine in the 1840s. Today over one billion Valentine cards are sent in America every year — second in numbers only to Christmas cards. We would not think of letting Valentine’s Day go by The Rev. Dr. Larry without finding a way to express and give love to those we love. As Saint Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 13: If I Thornton have not love, I am nothing... the greatest of these is love. Love is the most powerful force in our world. To be loved and to love is the only thing that gives meaning and hope to all of life. What does that look like? I love the words of a poem by Emmet Fox that was given to me by Ginny Graham, one of our Aberdeen Village residents. Ginny’s pastor husband, Warren, used these words in a card to express thanks to people in his congregations. There is no difficulty that enough LOVE will not conquer. There is no disease that enough LOVE will not heal.

Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Alan Fletcher, interim executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Loretta Cutler, health care lifestyle coordinator, lcutler@pmma.org. Telephone: 314-909-6010 Address: 505 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Community Matters February 2015

There is no door that enough LOVE will not open. There is no gulf that enough LOVE will not bridge. There is no wall that enough LOVE will not throw down. There is no sin that enough LOVE will not redeem. If only we could LOVE enough... We would be the happiest and most powerful beings in the world. Paul’s word for love in the Greek language is agape. It is a unique word and concept. It depicts a selfless love that cares and sacrifices for others... the way God loves us! Listen to the words in Job 10:10, “You guided my conception and formed me in the womb.” God wanted you, and God loves you. Believe it, and then trust it! We love because God first loved us. Let this poem be a guide and a challenge: If only we could LOVE enough. Then we would be the happiest and most powerful beings in the world! May God help us to LOVE others as God loves us! Happy Valentine’s Day!

5 things you should bring to every doctor’s appointment By Leana Wen, M.D. for Next Avenue

As an emergency physician, I see patients every day who have forgotten to bring something critical to their appointments. That's understandable when you face an unplanned emergency situation, but not when you've had time to prepare for, say, an annual checkup or a follow-up visit with a specialist.

From left, PMMA CEO Bruce Shogren, Aberdeen Heights Associate Executive Director Marty Schenk and PMMA COO Doug Yoder. HONOR, continued from page 1

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica is celebrating 65 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri. For more information about Aberdeen Heights, contact Marketing Director Kathleen Wayman at 314-909-6000 or kwayman@pmma.org.

Whatever the situation, I suggest there are 10 things you should always take with you, even if you don't end up needing them all. Here they are, based on guidance I share in my new book, “When Doctors Don’t Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests.” 1. Medical History Card Ideally, your doctor will have your complete medical history on file, but this is not always the case, especially if you’re seeing a new specialist, an emergency physician or someone covering for your usual doctor. So make sure you always bring along a record of your key information, including medical conditions, dates of past surgeries, current medications, doctors' names and contact information, next of kin and contact information, health insurance and any drug allergies. You can create a card on your computer or visit a website like MedIDs.com, which offers free templates that you can fill in and print out. Once you have a card, laminate it and keep with you at all times. 2. Changes to Medical Records If you’ve received any new test results since your last visit, bring them with you, even if you believe your doctor has already seen a report. Having this information on hand at your appointment ensures that you’ll remember to discuss it with your physician. This is particularly important if you are seeing a new doctor or specialist. Current test results will help them get the most complete picture of your health, speed up diagnosis and prevent duplicate tests.

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3. Your Prescription Drugs Too often, patients don’t remember the name or prescribed dosage of their medications. Before you leave home, gather all your medications and put them in a plastic bag. Tell your doctor if you've stopped taking any prescribed drugs or haven't followed dosage instructions. If you mislead doctors about prescription compliance, they may prescribe even more. 4. List of Alternative Therapies Doctors know that a majority of patients today may be employing some type of alternative therapy. It’s useful for them to know what you’re doing, especially if there may be potentially harmful interactions with other medications or treatments. Bring a list of any fish oil supplements, vitamins or herbal remedies, as well as a record of visits to any chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists or other practitioners. 5. Journal of Your Symptoms If your visit is related to a new concern, you should be keeping a journal that documents your discomfort and how it has affected your daily life in the days or weeks since it began. Whatever the information, bringing the journal can help your doctor better understand what has been going on.

New community arises from growing senior needs This month, we continue to look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan. This month, we continue our look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan.

the project. Dr. Robert Meneilly steered a committee of local and church leaders in the “Building for Our Future” campaign for Aberdeen Village.

In 1996, Presbyterians in Johnson County were convinced there was a need for a new Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus in the Greater Kansas City area, and specifically in Johnson County. At the time, there were no Christian-based nonprofit senior living communities offering the full continuum of care in Johnson County.

The project included a threestory building for 90 independent living apartments, 44 assisted living suites in a twostory building, and a 60-bed health care center with 15 spaces reserved for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

A 37-acre tract of land just east of West 119th Street and Ridgeview Road in Olathe was donated for

Construction began in 1999. Aberdeen Village opened its doors in May 2001 as the 17th campus for Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica.

“Be of Good Cheer” committee members honoring the work of Dr. Bob Meneilly.

Construction is underway on Aberdeen Village.

Coming up in Community Matters Community Matters will be looking forward to the change in seasons to spring and preparing to celebrate Easter. We’re looking for residents with a story to tell. What’s your favorite March Madness memory? Who’s your favorite baseball team? Why? What’s your favorite baseball memory? What does spring mean to you? What do you remember about spring as a child or adult? What’s your favorite Easter memory? If you have a story to tell, contact Loretta Cutler to share your idea. Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.

Community Matters February 2015

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