Topeka Community Matters August 2016

Commun ty Matters Topeka Presbyterian Manor

August 2016

PMMA rebalances portfolio with sale of Kansas City campus In the more than six and a half decades Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America has provided care for and advocated for the aging in Kansas and Missouri, the senior retirement landscape has changed dramatically. PMMA remains committed to our mission of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values and to meeting the ever changing needs of today’s seniors.

Seniors want a full continuum of care, with an emphasis on active living and wellness. Out of this demand, the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) model was born. This model provides for a large independent living level with smaller levels of assisted living and health care/ skilled nursing.

During the past two decades, PMMA has been slowly moving its system toward the CCRC model. Even though we have made significant strides, our system still remains imbalanced in the world of CCRC’s.

SALE, continued on page 2

Retired teacher reflects on 101 years Grace Clark has had many titles during her 101 years, including mother, grandmother, sister, friend, wife and more. “Teacher” is the one we’re highlighting during the month of August.

Grace was born and raised in the Oklahoma City area, and it was her husband’s role as a Presbyterian minister that brought her to Kansas, in Yates Center initially.

“I didn’t necessarily set out to become a teacher. They were in need of substitutes, so I started out doing that. Then, some of the teachers I was substituting for moved, and I was offered a contract. I taught English and TEACHER, continued on page 3

SALE, continued from page 1

Upon a careful analysis of our properties, it became clear that the Kansas City campus, with its predominantly health care focused model, could not easily convert to a CCRC campus. After much analysis, deliberation and discussion with the senior leadership team, the Board of Trustees approved the sale of KCPM. While saddened by the idea of selling KCPM, PMMA was and is confident that we are leaving our residents in good hands. The sale of Kansas City Presbyterian Manor to Riverbend, an operating subsidiary of The Ensign Group Inc., was completed and the campus transferred, on July 1.

On your case and by your side Most of the time, you don’t want someone “on your case,” unless of course, it’s Case Manager Roschell Wilkerson.

Then, you’ll be more than glad that she’s by your side, walking you through the sometimes tricky world of Medicare, insurance and doctors.

Roschell started at Topeka Presbyterian Manor in 2007 as a CNA (certified nursing assistant), then quickly became an LPN (licensed practical nurse) in 2008.

She served as an LPN in Assisted Living until 2015, when she became an RN (registered nurse) and then became case manager in 2016.

“In 2006, I obtained my CNA, and Presbyterian Manor was the first job I acquired in the health care field.

I came to work here in 2007 as a CNA while I attended LPN school.

I decided to go on to pursue my RN because there are many avenues opened in health care with this designation,” said Roschell.

Jami Colson, marketing director

To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Jami Colson, marketing director, at jcolson@pmma.org.

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Community Matters August 2016

“I received a scholarship from PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid America) while in RN school, and I was able to work in Assisted Living and as a PRN in health care while I attended RN school,” adds Roschell.

“My favorite part about my job is the residents. I enjoy them. I love to smile and the return smiles from my residents is the best feeling ever.

My goal is to provide satisfactory care, especially during illness and that lets me know they are happy or satisfied,” said Roschell. “The hardest part about my job is when we lose a resident. I am not able to be as hands on with them as when I was doing RN work, but I still visit with them daily.”

While not at work, Roschell is still busy helping others. She has four children, ages 17, 13, 10 and PMMA prides itself on its yearly eight and also is an active member education assistance program, of TKBNA (Topeka Kansas Black which allows staff across our Nurses Association), which offers many campuses to pursue higher education in their prospective career health screenings and preventative education to underserved fields. individuals.

This learning environment is just We’re glad to have Roschell on our one of the many reasons Roschell enjoys her position as case manager. team, and on your case!

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TEACHER, continued from page 1

French. My first full-time teaching position was in Anadarko, Oklahoma,” said Grace. “When we moved to Yates Center, it seemed like such a small town, so that took a while to get used to. Eventually he retired from ministry, but I wasn’t quite ready to retire from teaching, so I did that awhile longer.”

Grace and her husband had three children, one of whom has died.

They have 10 grandchildren and enough great-grandchildren that Grace has lost count. Many more children have been impacted by Grace’s teaching, though. Probably more than she will ever know.

“Once someone gets what you’re trying to tell them, you can see it on their faces. It’s a wonderful feeling. And you develop a certain camaraderie with some students.

You either have it or you don’t, but I never tried to be their equal. I had to establish myself in a superior position, and I saw some younger teachers try to get along with everyone. That’s not your job,” said Grace. “It’s awfully hard to teach someone how to be a teacher.

If you’re a good teacher you’re going to change as you have more experience. I liked that. I felt like I was learning just as much as my students. I had an adult who wanted to be in the French class, and attended one semester. She said ‘I just wish your students realize how much you’re teaching them besides just French.’”

Grace’s students may not have realized how much they were learning at the time, but there’s no doubt they realized it later in life.

Perhaps some of them even went on to become teachers themselves, and

Grace continues to give words of advice to new teachers even today.

“Take it a day at a time and make the most of the day you’re in. Think too far ahead or spend all your time wishing the past was different and you don’t get anywhere. Live the day you’re in,” said Grace. “And actually, my husband was a minister, and had quite a number of responsibilities, so he taught me some things. Plan your day and get through that, and enjoy your children right where they are.”

JOIN the

WELCOME

PROJECT Life is better when you’re surrounded by friends.

If you know of friends who are interested in the independent living or assisted living lifestyle you enjoy here, providing their names could lead to rewards—for both of you.

Pick up a referral form in the marketing office. *Certain restrictions apply.

For complete details, contact the Marketing Office.

MAKE THE MOVE Take advantage of Presbyterian Manor’s maintenance-free lifestyle—and find more time for what you enjoy.

Call 785-272-6510 for more information.

Topeka Presbyterian Manor

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

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Dining Services We will focus on dining services in an upcoming issue of Community Matters.

What foods do you connect through your memories? How has food shaped your life and recollections?

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

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Community Matters August 2016

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