Topeka Presbyterian Manor
NOVEMBER 2020
Topeka attorney busts myths about elder law Elder law and estate planning are poorly understood areas of the law. Thankfully, attorneys such as Scott Sexton can help people avoid financial pitfalls.
Nancy Denham first walked through the doors of Topeka Presbyterian Manor because she needed a temporary job. She worked as a classroom assistant and needed to make some money during the summer. That led her to take a certified nursing assistant course offered at Presbyterian Manor.
Scott gave a virtual presentation in September titled “Elder Law: Mythbusting” as part of Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask continuing education series. A lawyer for more than 15 years, Scott owns a Topeka firm focused on long term care planning and veteran’s benefits. If you missed the presentation, you can still view it on the Topeka Presbyterian Manor Facebook page.
Night nurse is grateful for career
Nineteen years later, Nancy is still caring for residents at Presbyterian Manor. She went on to become a certified medication assistant and finally a licensed practical nurse.
Scott Sexton
According to Scott, these are some of the most common misunderstandings when it comes to estate planning and elder law: “I’m just fine, I have a will.” A will is a set of rules that allow a probate judge to oversee the administration of your estate, but “there are simpler, easier ways to navigate the estate process,” Scott said. Wills do not circumvent the probate process, which can be costly. In fact, Scott doesn’t even have a will himself. Alternatives to wills include powers of attorney or trusts. “I can give $15,000 to each of my kids every year with no problem.” Scott calls the common belief that recipients of larger gifts will be subject to tax an “urban legend.” Though state tax laws vary, Kansas does not impose a gift tax. Larger gifts do have to be reported to the IRS, but they are not taxed at the federal level unless they are very large; currently, the limit is $10 million annually. Penalties associated with gifts do exist, but the “gift tax” isn’t one of them. LAW - continued on page 4
For the last five years, Nancy has worked the night shift. “It took about seven months to get used to it,” Nancy said. “For a while, I felt tired all the time. But once I got used to it, I just loved it. I feel like I have all the time I need to spend with the residents. Any time a situation comes up, I don’t feel like I’m rushed.” Nancy doesn’t have as much opportunity to chat with residents when she’s working nights, but she enjoys the chance to visit more when she fills in on the evening shift. DENHAM - continued on page 4
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Community Matters 785-272-6510 ◆ Fax: 785-272-0496 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 TopekaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2020
is published monthly for residents and friends of Topeka Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: rdahlgren@pmma.org Heather Pilkinton, executive director Rose Dahlgren, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Residents enjoy brass duet performance A few weeks ago, Roy Lacoursiere read about a musician who played outside the windows of a senior living community.
“It got me thinking that my wife, Joanna, has a long-time friend going back many decades” who lives at Topeka Presbyterian Manor, Roy said. Sarah Merrill has been a resident here for more than 10 years. Joaanna Lacoursiere met Sarah on a canoe trip in Missouri. The two women often camped and canoed together with a group of friends, which included Kansas state representative Harriet Graham. Later, Sarah joined the Lacoursieres on several camping trips in her Volkswagon camper van. Before the pandemic, Joanna visited Sarah once a week. For the past few months, they have been keeping their weekly visits via the FaceTime video chat app.
Joanna Lacoursiere and Herschel Stroud play together in multiple bands. With the help of their spouses, they organized an outdoor concert for residents of Topeka Presbyterian Manor.
After she retired, Joanna took up the trumpet, and she has now played the instrument for more than a decade.
Roy called Presbyterian Manor to ask if he could organize a special concert for Sarah and the other residents.
The Lacoursieres’ neighbor, Herschel Stroud, is also a trumpet player, and he and Joanna play together in three bands: the Santa Fe Band, the Sounds of St. David’s Episcopal Church, and a local
On October 16th, Joanna and Hershel made their trumpet duet debut at Presbyterian Manor with a selection of popular tunes. Roy helped with the equipment, and Hershel’s wife Jacque took photos.
Jayhawks pep band.
Joanna and Hershel chose a selection of upbeat, popular music they hoped the residents would recognize. They played three sets in different places on the southwest corner of the Presbyterian Manor campus. Roy helped move the music stands and sound system to each outdoor venue so that residents in multiple areas could hear the music. ◆
COVID-19 updates continue
Get the latest updates on visitation status, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website, TopekaPresbyterianManor. org/covid-19. If there is a COVID-19 outbreak (positive COVID-19 test) at your community, your leadership team will contact employees, residents and their designated family representatives via telephone, email or mail with information about the outbreak and the recommendations of the local health department. ◆ Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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LAW - continued from page 1
“I’m just fine, I take my annual required minimum distribution from my IRA.” Scott says seniors who only take the RMD may be following advice they received 30 or more years ago. If more money is needed, this puts people in a DENHAM - continued from page 1
Born in Fulton, Kan., Nancy has lived in Topeka her whole life. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1993, and worked in a library for nine years, during which time she “got used to the quiet.” Life is even quieter than usual, thanks to the pandemic. “I’ve been staying home a lot,”
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position where they may have a significant tax bill. Instead, retirees should look for a “happy medium” that will minimize tax liability and provide long-term flexibility. Scott advises consulting with a tax advisor, financial planner and attorney in order to coordinate retirement distributions.
Scott also discussed issues around Medicaid, the problem with adding family members to your home deed, and how and when to give away assets.
Nancy said. “I’ve been catching up on some reading and watching some favorite television shows. I pretty much stay home.”
Manor, I didn’t know what to expect,” Nancy said. “I just thought if I don’t like it, I’ll just start working at the school again. It turned out I loved it. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
That minimizes the risk to the residents she cares for, Nancy said. At home, her cats Betsy and Lowell keep her company. And she always looks forward to coming to work. “I feel pretty lucky, because when I first took that job at Presbyterian
COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2020
Learn about upcoming events by visiting TopekaPresbyterianManor. org/Events-Activities. ◆
“It wasn’t what I expected to do with my life, but it sure worked out well for me.” ◆