Wichita Presbyterian Manor
JUNE 2019
Occupational Therapists make a difference
Mark Ritchey gets second shot at a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip
Katie Rolo, occupational therapist registered, has spent 12 years of her 20-year career at PMMA. Mark Ritchey in front of Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of the Churchill family—Winston was born here, and visited often, but never actually lived here. Blenheim Palace is the only structure in Britain that is not a royal residence that can have the name “palace.”
When Mark Ritchey attended “The Divine Office—Choral Music in Oxford” festival three years ago, he was told that it was a “once-in-alifetime” experience. It wasn’t. That’s not to say that the event wasn’t amazing—it was. It was just such a success that this past winter, the event’s organizers decided to do it again. Upon hearing the news, Mark jumped at the chance to make a second trip to England to see—and hear—it for himself. Taking place over four and a half days, the festival featured 15 choral music concerts held in both the main cathedral in Oxford as well as various churches and college halls throughout the area. -Ritchey, continued on page 3
April might have been the month for nationally recognizing occupational therapists, but it’s never too late to thank them for all they do! That’s why we’re putting the spotlight on Liz Loehrs and Katie Rolo, our community’s occupational therapists who work hard every day to help us with our daily needs. Did you know? 1. Occupational therapy (OT) is therapy designed to help with any aspect of impairment in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This could include your bathing/shower -Therapists, continued on page 2
Wichita Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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-Therapists, continued from page 1
techniques, adaptive equipment to help with dressing or transfers, or upper body strength. 2. OT focuses on shoulder, arms, wrist and fingers as well as balance and completion of ADLs. 3. Occupational therapists can often help make tasks easier with the use of adaptive equipment to remain independent longer without assistance from staff. â—†
Honor the people who make our community great. Make a gift to the Employee Scholarship Program today. Stop by the front desk today for more information.
PMMA
Presbyterian Manors Of Mid-America
Liz Loehrs has been a certified occupational therapy assistant for four years, all of them at PMMA.
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WICHITA Presbyterian Manor
316-942-7456 â—† Fax: 316-941-3806 4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 WichitaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2019
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: awatson@PMMA.org Amy Watson, life enrichment dir. Courtney Wolfe, executive director Melody Dodge, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
-Ritchey, continued from page 1
Those who participated in the trip stayed in dormitories at local colleges and ate in dining halls. “The dining halls were like what you saw in Harry Potter—long tables and portraits of dead people staring down at you,” said Mark. “The first time I walked in, I thought I was on a movie set.” While sleeping in dorm rooms and eating like a college student may not sound that appealing to some people, for Mark, it was an opportunity to spend quality time with people who share the same passion as he does. “Being with people who like to listen to renaissance choral music is a big part of the whole experience,” said Mark. As for the music itself, Mark says it was second to none. “The performers are the absolute best choral music groups in Europe—and I think the world,” said Mark. And while all of the performances were amazing, the highlight of the week for Mark was a performance of Mozart’s “Requiem” which closed out the festival. “I sat less than 10 feet from the timpani, and it almost knocked me out it was so beautiful,” said Mark. Mark was introduced to choral music more than 20 years ago when he began hosting a weekly radio show called “Sunday Best” on Radio Kansas, and over time, it gradually got into his blood. “I played choral music for the show and in the process, I learned about renaissance music and began to appreciate it tremendously,” said Mark. “After 22 years of listening
Mark Ritchey in front of the doors to Blenheim Palace.
to this kind of music, I still get chills when they bring all the tunes together in conclusion.” As for “The Divine Office,” there is another one scheduled in three years and, God willing, Mark will be there.
“I’ll be 80 and a little long in the tooth to fly across the Atlantic and stay in a college dorm,” said Mark. “If I’m physically and financially able to go, I won’t miss it,” Mark added ◆
Wichita Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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WICHITA Presbyterian Manor
4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 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.
Resident Ambassador Program begins July 1
Starting this month, Wichita Presbyterian Manor has a new program where Resident Ambassadors will serve as volunteers assisting the community in welcoming new residents to the campus. Ambassadors are connected with residents whom they can call upon and visit for the first few days and weeks after moving in.
The ambassadors answer questions, sit with the new residents at meals, invite them to classes and act as tour guides around campus, helping new residents to feel welcome and embraced. Ambassadors also may assist with delivery of a welcome gift basket,
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2019
showing the new resident around the community, introducing them to other residents and staff. No matter what activity they enjoy, our team of Resident Ambassadors will be there to ensure a smooth
transition to our new residents. To learn more about our Resident Ambassadors program and to fill out an application, please see Melody Dodge and Cherree Hudspeth in the marketing office. â—†