Topeka Community Matters April 2015

Commun ty Matters Topeka Presbyterian Manor

April 2015

PMMA observes its Founders Day

Employees of Topeka Presbyterian Manor will observe the founding of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica this month as the company celebrates 66 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri.

Each Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus will have its own celebration with residents and employees during April, acknowledging the importance of making life “the way you want to live.”

“Many of our employees view what they do as a calling, not just a job,” said Bruce Shogren, president and CEO. “Our dedicated employees make it possible for us to sustain PMMA’s mission, which directly impacts the wonderful care our 2,400 residents receive every day.”

Topeka Presbyterian Manor will observe Founders Day at 1 p.m.

April 22 in the multipurpose room.

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s roots go back to 1947.

Alice Kalb, a widow from central Kansas, appealed to a Presbyterian Church organization to establish a home for seniors. Her vision became the first Presbyterian Manor community in Newton, Kan., and FOUNDERS, continued on page 2

Ellen Evans, kneeling, coaches Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents Eula Blanding, Arvis Miller, Mary Harrison, Ferne Rumsey, Mary Ann Weaver and Marilyn Barnes in Wii bowling.

Vounteer Ellen Evans

Scoring points with residents through Wii bowling For five years, Ellen Evans worked in the dining services department for Topeka Presbyterian Manor by prepping tables, serving and cleaning up for the residents. Once she retired from this position, she found a new way to assist residents in her spare time – she coaches Wii bowling.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m., residents can play Wii bowling or cheer each other on near the dining room.

“The ladies and I are all really good about helping and teaching,” Ellen said. “A lot of them say they’re not very good but it’s usually picked up quickly.”

And the benefits? “It’s good exercise and it also gets the residents out of their room. Plus, it’s exercise for me, and I get to be with the residents.

We have fun! Come join us!”

VOLUNTEER, continued on page 2

VOLUNTEER, continued from page 1

Sign up to

Volunteer

FOUNDERS, continued from page 1

inspired others to do even more.

Today PMMA remains true to the spirit of Alice’s vision, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.

For more information about Founders Day, contact Marsha Anderson, marketing director, at manderson@pmma.org.

Arvis Miller uses the Wii gaming system to bowl.

Marilyn Barnes enjoys Wii bowling.

Ellen Evans uses the Wii game system to bowl.

2

Community Matters April 2015

April is National Volunteer Month. We have a number of opportunities available to meet your interests: visiting one to one with a resident, reading to residents, entertaining with your musical and craft talents and working in our Manor Shop. The Manor Shop is open Monday through Friday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The shop offers greeting cards, toiletries and snacks.

Volunteering can give you an opportunity to feel involved, meet new people, make new friends, help others and feel better about yourself.

Yoga class teaches how to ‘keep calm and breathe on’ For just 30 minutes a week, a chair yoga class is helping attendees improve their breathing and flexibility while creating an inner peace. To some, the class is known as “chair yoga.” To others, it’s much more.

“The ladies renamed the class ‘Chair Breathe and Stretch,’” said Janet Spiegel, yoga instructor at Topeka Presbyterian Manor. “We thought the community might be more receptive to this and it’s easier to understand than ‘chair yoga.’”

The class teaches how to practice breathing while stretching. It also includes some leg lifting exercises that strengthen quads – which is important for protecting knees.

“I also like to have fun and start with a positive song,” Janet said. “We

start with ‘It’s a Wonderful World’

by Louis Armstrong. We’ve been singing that song while we do our stretching. At the end of the class we close with a gratitude ritual.”

While only women have been attending, the class is open to everyone.

It meets at Salina Presbyterian manor from 10:50 to 11:20 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Tower.

“It’s a very positive group interaction,” Janet said. “The women who attend have beautiful hearts and souls, and I’m glad to be a part of their lives.”

Sense of humor keeps residents coming back to ‘Judy’s Beauties’

For the past 30 years, Judy Moss has been making customers laugh and look good in the Topeka Presbyterian Manor beauty shop.

“I’ve been here for ages, and I totally enjoy it,” Judy said. “I think the residents enjoy it, too. I’ve had people say it makes them happy because we’re joyful and make them laugh. Of course, they look pretty when they leave, too.”

Judy works in the beauty shop for half of Wednesday, all day Thursday and half of Friday.

There are two other stylists who work with her.

now than they used to. “I actually taught myself to do men’s cuts since I didn’t go to barber school. I’m not sure what the first one looked like, but he came back!”

“I like doing hair and making the residents look nice,” Judy said. “They’re a lot of fun to be around. I also enjoy working with my girls – Michele Ponnone has been with me for 10-11 years and MaryAnne Satterthwaite has been with me for eight.”

Looking back over the past 30 years, does Judy have any regrets? “I wish I had started off writing a book about all the things that have happened and the funny things that have gone on in the beauty shop over the years.

Some have said they’d like to take our dryer home with them because they sleep under them better than they do in their own bed. Some have to come in and read The Enquirer to keep up on the dirt. Lots of funny things – and not so funny things – have happened over the years.”

“Judy’s Beauties,” the nickname for the beauty shop that the female residents came up with, has seen a good mix of both male and female customers over the years. In fact, more males are coming for hair cuts

Topeka Presbyterian Manor

3

Topeka Presbyterian Manor 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 Return Service Requested

Coming Up in Community Matters Community Matters will focus on gardening and outdoor life in an upcoming issue.

Are you an avid gardener, or were you when you were more physically able? What did you love about gardening? What did you grow?

Does your campus have a raised bed garden that you help with now? What do you enjoy about being outdoors?

If you have a story to tell, contact Marketing Director Marsha Anderson to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.

4

Community Matters April 2015

Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit

TopekaPresbyterianManor.org

and enter your email address in the blue box on the right.

It’s that easy!