Topeka Presbyterian Manor
OCTOBER 2019
Topeka Presbyterian Manor: On a new PATH®
Topeka Presbyterian Manor receives 2019 customer experience award from Pinnacle Quality Insight
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA) as a system has been providing senior care and services for more than 70 years across Kansas and Missouri (and coming soon to Colorado). As a part of the service to seniors, PMMA has always offered care after hospitalizations through skilled nursing and physical, occupational and speech therapies with the objective of supporting a return to prior levels of independence and overall health.
Topeka Presbyterian Manor is proud to announce that they are the recipient of Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2019 Customer Experience Award™.
In 2012, PMMA launched a program called PATH® or “PostAcute-to-Home” to strengthen service to older adults. This program serves patients who have been discharged from Donna Seeley took the PATH to … a hospital, but still require therapy and special skilled care in order to make the transition from hospital to home. By incorporating the PMMA team of medical professionals to develop individualized programs, PATH helps patients regain functionality and promotes a safe return to their home. PATH sets the standard with team members who are committed to making the admissions process more efficient and features prompt PATH - continued on page 4
The Customer Experience Award is given to senior living communities that score in the top 15-percent of the nation in resident satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight for 12 consecutive months. Topeka Presbyterian Manor received the award for independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing surveys. Over the course of 2018, a sampling of Presbyterian Manor’s residents and their families participated in monthly telephone interviews that include open-ended questions, as well the opportunity to rate Presbyterian Manor in specific AWARD - continued on page 3
Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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New research sheds more light on Alzheimer’s in women By Sherri Snelling for Next Avenue
Women seem to be dominating the headlines recently, with the triumphant U.S. women’s team World Cup Soccer win and the focus of attention on Capitol Hill’s female legislators. However, one area where women are leading is not a reason for applause: the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the female population. While definite answers remain elusive, a growing body of research —the latest presented this week at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Los Angeles—is uncovering the reason why two-thirds of the 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women. Despite the prevailing view that women’s increased risk is tied to living longer (Alzheimer’s symptoms typically appear later in life), scientists now believe biological and social determinants are more at play. “Women are at the epicenter of Alzheimer’s disease as both persons living with the disease and as the caregivers of those with dementia,” said Rebecca Edelmayer, director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association. “Over the last three years, the Alzheimer’s Association has invested $3.2 million into fourteen projects
looking at sex differences for the disease and some of the findings today may explain risk, prevalence and rate of decline for women.” The biological clues of Alzheimer’s Several Alzheimer’s studies focused on the biological clues to why women are more affected. Vanderbilt University Medical Center research found abnormal tau protein in the brain may have wider spread among various brain regions in women than in men. Tau is a toxic protein that creates tangles leading to brain cell death and is regarded a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, the Vanderbilt researchers focused on tau structures in positron emission tomography scans from 301 healthy men and women, as well as 101 men and 60 women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). They found the women with MCI had more tau network connectivity and accelerated spread of tau across more brain regions compared to men. The researchers surmised this structural and functional difference in the brain among men and women may point to possible sex-specific treatment and even prevention interventions.
Early Alzheimer’s diagnosis is less likely in women Another study found women may be at a disadvantage when it comes to earlier Alzheimer’s diagnosis. That’s because women typically score higher than men on verbal memory tests, such as recalling words and lists, which involves the temporal lobe and hippocampus regions of the brain. In that study, researchers from the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine reviewed brain scans of 1,022 adults to analyze sex differences in how the brain metabolizes glucose (sugar), which is the energy needed for brain function, in areas affected by amyloid plaque—another signature sign of Alzheimer’s. The study looked at different stages of the disease and verbal testing scores. In addition to scoring higher on verbal memory, women were found to metabolize glucose more efficiently, which may give women the ability to compensate for dementia damage and retain cognitive function longer. ◆
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TOPEKA Presbyterian Manor
785-272-6510 ◆ Fax: 785-272-0496 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 TopekaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2019
Community Matters
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) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: cwatgen@PMMA.org Heather Pilkinton, executive director Chelsea Watgen, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Elite leadership program impacts staff member Danica Loftin, director of health care sales and marketing at Topeka Presbyterian Manor, was honored and grateful to have recently completed the LeadingAge Kansas Center for Leadership class of 2019. LeadingAge Kansas is an association of 160 not-forprofit aging services providers dedicated to serving the needs of aging Kansans. The Center for Leadership class was formed about a decade ago to grow leaders in aging services. Danica was one of 16 people accepted into the elite program for 2019, including two other Presbyterian Manor employees. The year-long program, which will officially conclude at the fall conference in October, focuses on the areas of authentic leadership, advocacy and community
AWARD - continued from page 1
categories. “The Customer Experience Award affirms our staff ’s dedication to our mission – to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Heather Pilkinton, executive director. “This award reflects our residents’ satisfaction with our efforts to live out our mission.” Clients have the opportunity
relationships, change, empowering and motivating. It includes four in-depth class retreats along with monthly phone calls.
can be scary, she said, but it’s imperative. She learned how to effectively cope with change and help others view it positively.
Danica, who was nominated by coworkers, said the class was a powerful experience that helped her grow personally and professionally.
“It was very impactful for me,” she said. “If we don’t change, we get stagnant and become less relevant in our local community.”
“It’s one of those things I will carry forever,” she said. “It was definitely a blessing in my life.” One of the most powerful class sessions, Danica said, focused on the subject of change. Participants discussed all aspects of what change means and why it’s important. They also learned how to diffuse fear of change and become advocates for it. In the three years Danica has worked for Presbyterian Manor, she’s been a part of driving change, including helping the organization become more relevant in the community and developing a more person-centered administration. Changing established operations to achieve this Best in Class distinction on a monthly basis in many categories designed to reflect accurately each resident’s experience. Presbyterian Manor was rated in the top 15-percent by independent living and assisted living residents for meeting transportation needs. The campus also rated in the top 15-percent in skilled nursing for admission process, cleanliness, dignity and respect, dining service, nursing care, overall customer
Danica said the class also helped her discover more about herself and how she works best. The first session focused on personal growth and identifying participants’ strengths and weaknesses. “It gave you insight into how you operate,” she said. Danica said the class has had a big impact on her work life, and she’s thankful PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America) is a part of the program. “It’s a huge deal,” she said. “I think truly just taking some very dedicated time to even process and think about and learn about these processes overall was so beneficial to me personally and for my campus and organization.” ◆ experience, quality of food, and willingness to recommend to others. Through Pinnacle Quality Insight’s monthly phone surveys, Topeka Presbyterian Manor has gathered real-time survey results to gain a better understanding of the residents’ needs and make improvements when necessary, continuing a 56-year emphasis on ensuring the individual needs of every resident are met. ◆
Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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TOPEKA Presbyterian Manor
4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
PATH - continued on page 4
admissions decisions, extended admission hours, continual communication with physicians and families, proactive planning and post-discharge follow-up, and a comfortable home-like setting. Recently, PMMA introduced an enhancement to the PATH program called “I Took the PATH to…” supporting our commitment to patient goals. Through a partnership with Aegis Therapies, patients set unique goals upon admission to PATH. These goals are discussed throughout the PATH stay as a way to motivate and honor progress.
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Examples of unique goals that have been set include: · Playing on the floor with grandkids again · Getting back to my garden · Visiting my sister in Texas · Getting strong enough to go home and take care of myself and my husband Upon discharge, goals are celebrated with a photo, the recovery team and then shared with others taking advantage of PATH services. “The ‘I Took the PATH to …’ programming sets PMMA communities apart from other
COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2019
providers by demonstrating our commitment to whole-person wellness. The physical aspects of recovery from an illness or injury are typically the focus, but our talented teams focus on the emotional and spiritual aspects of recovery as well. I’m not aware of another program out there where patients have the opportunity to serve as inspiration to others experiencing similar obstacles of health,” said Jennifer McClanahand, regional director of sales and marketing for PMMA. Learn more about PATH® at Topeka Presbyterian Manor by calling 785-272-6510 or visiting www. topekapresbyterianmanor.org/hsshort-term-rehab-pathreg. ◆