Wichita Community Matters September 2015

Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor

September 2015

Join us for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s You may have heard that Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. But did you know it’s the only cause of death in the top 10 that can’t be prevented, cured or slowed? Or that while one in three seniors die with dementia, about 200,000 people younger than age 65, have the disease?

You can learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and help raise awareness by participating in the Wichita Walk to End Alzheimer’s in September.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Did you also know: • Between 2000 and 2013, deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s increased by 71 percent • Another American develops the disease every 67 seconds.

• The latest figures estimate that 51,000 Kansans have Alzheimer’s.

Wichita Presbyterian Manor invites you to join or donate to its Alzheimer’s Walk Team. The Wichita Walk takes place Sept. 12 at WaterWalk Place, 515 S. Main St. WALK, continued on page 3

From Bach to Broadway

Resident recalls early seasons of Music Theatre of Wichita Vivian Fleming had enjoyed a successful career as a classical vocalist, performing throughout Kansas and Oklahoma. She was a soloist with the Oklahoma City Symphony for Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and with the Wichita Symphony for Cavaliera Rusticana, a one-act opera.

But in her 50s, Fleming was challenged to learn a more popular style of singing – musical theater.

It was 1974, and Fleming was on the music faculty at Friends University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in music. Thanks to the growing popularity of Broadway shows, the department was adding a musical theater curriculum.

“I had no experience with that type of singing,” Fleming said. “I needed to get some, so I could work with my students better.”

So Fleming auditioned for the fledgling Music Theatre of Wichita, which was mounting productions for its third season. The producer and general MUSIC, continued on page 2

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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) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Dawn Veh, executive director Jill Coleman, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Amy Watson, life enrichment director, awatson@pmma.org.

Telephone: 316-942-7456 Fax: 316-941-3806 Address: 4700 W. 13th St., Wichita, KS 67212-5575 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

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Community Matters September 2015

MUSIC, continued from page 1

manager was James Miller, a colleague from Friends. Fleming planned to sing only in the chorus, but she wound up being cast in several small speaking roles – as the mother in Fiddler on the Roof and as Cousin Hebe, a “major minor” role in H.M.S. Pinafore.

“I was onstage most of the time. I got a lot of experience,” Fleming said. “In that show I learned you had to sing fast if you wanted to sing Gilbert and Sullivan.”

The choreographer also kept the cast in motion during most musical numbers. “I did learn that even though I was in my late 50s, I could move.”

At first, Fleming said she didn’t think she would fit in with the rest of the company, who were mostly college students – including some of her own.

But that didn’t last long. “I came to realize that they accepted me as just another member of the chorus,” she said. “I loved working with young people, and I had so much fun associating with them in this type of setting.”

Fleming returned for the 1975 season in shows such as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and My Fair Lady. After that, she preferred to enjoy the shows from the audience – especially when the youngest of her six children, Jane, joined the MTW company a few years later. Jane went on to play several leading roles, Fleming said. “That made it a lot more interesting, as far as I was concerned.”

New faces and leadership changes Wichita Presbyterian Manor is welcoming a number of new faces, while some familiar faces are shifting into new roles.

Amy Watson, who has served as director of marketing, is now the director of life enrichment. In this new role, Watson oversees activities and social services throughout the Presbyterian Manor campus, Executive Director Dawn Veh said.

“Life Enrichment is really about quality of life,” Veh said. “It’s about making sure we have events and activities that people want to participate in, and keeping them involved in the community, if that’s what they want to do.”

Watson, who has been with Wichita Presbyterian Manor since 2001, assumes the activities role from Greg Schmidt, who also is Presbyterian Manor’s chaplain. Schmidt will shift exclusively to religious and spiritual support for the campus, Veh said. He also will be the chaplain for Presbyterian Manor’s new hospice, Senior Independence Hospice of Mid-America, which debuts this month at both the Wichita and Newton campuses.

Amy Watson

In the PATH rehab neighborhood, Lisa Goldston is moving from charge nurse to case manager.

Two employees from Presbyterian Manor campuses are transferring to Wichita. Jennie Johnson, the new director of assisted living and memory care, comes from Newton Presbyterian Manor, where she held same position. Veh said she will help implement the new BBET program (Behavior-Based Ergonomic Therapy) for memory care.

Jill Coleman

Mandi Gibbs, from Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, is a new MDS nurse in long-term care, where she will coordinate care plans and gather data for federally mandated assessments.

As the Westerly Residences near completion in December, its staff members are transitioning to Presbyterian Manor campus.

WALK, continued from page 1

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 10. While there is no fee to participate, donations are encouraged. Up to 60 percent of the money raised will stay in our area.

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s events take place in more than 600 cities, raising funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. At the walk, you can learn more about it and the support programs and services offered by the local Alzheimer’s Association chapter.

You will also have opportunities to get involved with advocacy initiatives and clinical trial enrollment.

For information about participating in or donating to the Presbyterian Manor walk team, contact Amy Watson, life enrichment director, at awatson@pmma.org or 316-942-7456.

Chrissie Ammann

The Westerly marketing staff, led by Jill Coleman, director of sales and marketing, will move to the Wichita campus this month from their office off-site. One Westerly staffer, Chrissie Ammann, has moved into a marketing role for Presbyterian Manor’s assisted living.

“It’s exciting to welcome them onto our team,” Veh said. “They come with the experience to help move us forward and enhance the services we’re already providing.”

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Coming up in Community Matters We will be thinking about Thanksgiving in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. Does your family have a special recipe that is made each Thanksgiving dinner, one that it’s not Thanksgiving unless it’s on the table? What about a special Thanksgiving tradition? Share your Thanksgiving memories by contacting Life Enrichment Director Amy Watson, and your memories, traditions or recipe may be selected for an upcoming issue of Community Matters.

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Community Matters September 2015