The Quill—Newsletter of Tulsa's Senior Community April 2022

Non-Profit Org US POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 372 Tulsa, OK

3701 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. , Tulsa, OK 74106

Scan the QR code below to register for Western Days 2022!

The Saint Simeon’s Foundation Releases 2021 Annual Report The Saint Simeon’s Foundation released its annual report for 2021 this month. Scan the QR Code to read the Executive Director, Tyler Davis’ report; the CEO/President, Angela Green’s report; and a big “Thank You” to all our Western Days donors, supporters, and the Board of Trustees.

Saint Simeon’s is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

Newsletter of Tulsa’s Senior Community

APRIL/ MAY 2022

Administrator’s Day Declared The Governor proclaimed March 18, 2022 as Long-Term Care Administrator’s Appreciation Day! We were overjoyed to celebrate our outstanding Administrator, Amanda Terrel.

Amanda joined Saint Simeon’s as a new administrator in September of 2019, mere months before the world–especially in the long-term care setting–was turned upside down by COVID. Amanda has been a consistent, compassionate protector of our residents and staff, especially throughout the last two years. Her perseverance and leadership have helped keep Saint Simeon’s strong and thriving despite everything COVID has thrown our way. Her heart and passion for our community is valued and appreciated.

Saint Simeon’s is grateful for you, Amanda! Thank you for everything you do!

KRIS’S CARING CHAMPIONS WINNER

Debra Sallis, CNA, Memory Care I would like to nominate Debra Sallis, CNA. She works in Memory Care in Home 1. Debra goes above and beyond in helping her Residents.

She knows the things they enjoy, their favorite snacks/drinks and the clothes they like. Debra knows their ADL schedule and follows it.

She has them up and ready for appointments and visits in a timely manner. Debra sits with them in the living area and engages them in conversation and reminiscing. She’s amazing at listening, being patient with them, and keeping them relaxed. Today a Resident came in from another Home and had a cut on her hand and Debra immediately jumped in to help the Resident. If my mom was at Saint Simeon’s, I would choose Home 1 because of the care she would receive from Debra. Being in Life Enrichment, we are in each Home daily, and I have seen what a difference she has made with her community of Residents. —Kathy Cloyde

RUNNER-UP

Eddie Hamlin, Maintenance He worked so hard to get the conference room painted and the new décor hung. He did it with such a wonderful attitude and kind spirit. Everything he does is very light and kind. He is truly a gem to work with. Today when I arrived, he was taping and painting the parking lot—just smiling and greeting everyone as they came in. It was a wonderful display of the family environment we strive for at Saint Simeon’s.

—Mariah Kimball NOMINATIONS

Travis Stewart, Pristine Cleaning | John Elliot and Josh Smith, Maintenance Techs | Johneisha Titus, Assistant Director of Facility Services

SPECIAL RECOGNITION I visited an old friend in the Memory Center yesterday afternoon. My friend is in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s.

Yesterday was a beautiful early spring day, and I took him on an hour-long walk around the campus. We walked down to the west end of Eckel Park and returned to the Administration building. It was a long walk, and we stopped to sit and enjoy the sun on several occasions. He was using a walker and my arm for support, but his steps were unsteady.

On three separate occasions, an employee departing the campus stopped their car and asked if we were okay or needed assistance. We were slow and a little unsteady, but we were holding our own. As we approached the last roundabout, one of his nurses, Debra, was sitting on a bench awaiting a ride. She reached for my friend’s hand in friendship, and I could feel his relief in seeing a good friend whom he knew. We continued to the Administration entrance, where my friend became fatigued. A voice behind me said, “Let me help you.” It was Heather from the Resort staff. She helped my friend to an outside bench, called for a wheelchair, and accompanied us into the building.

I often speak about the “Personal Touch” being the defining quality in caring at Saint Simeon’s. Five times in one hour, our Saint Simeon’s employees reached out to show care to my friend and me. I do not believe the employees thought much about the five incidents, because their nature is to care for others. Everyone at Saint Simeon’s has been through additional stress over the past two years from COVID-19 and the variants.

Yet, each is still focused on caring for the Residents. Our employees continue to make Saint Simeon’s a special place, “The Best of the Best”!

THE QUILL » APRIL/MAY 2022

THE CHAPLAIN’S CHAT The Rev. Susanne Methven, Chaplain

Dear Residents, Families, and Friends of Saint Simeon’s,

CNA Graduation

Some who wander are actually lost!

I am “geographically challenged.” I cannot read a map nor orient myself even if there is one. Even if I have been somewhere multiple times, I cannot describe how to get there. I have felt shamed by others for lacking this ability. I used to hide this fact about myself from others.

On vacation with my sister recently, I chose to drive as she navigated using a map – yes, she can read a map! We also had my trusty GPS in the car. And yet, we found ourselves at an intersection somewhere near Lawton, OK with no idea where we were or how to proceed. Although my sister had the map unfurled, the level of detail was not sufficient to tell us where we were.

While we sat contemplating the map, a black pickup truck passed us by and then backed up. As I lowered the car window, a white-haired gentleman got out of the truck and approached the car. “I noticed that you were looking at a map.” While we thought we were east of Lawton, he pointed out that we were west of Lawton. He said, “Follow me and when I turn right you will turn left.” And we did so.

When recounting this story to my youngest sister, she reminded us, “You can use your tools,” meaning the GPS. And she was right, we learned about setting the GPS to town names rather than street addresses. My GPS guided us as we did a 40-mile circle of Lawton. It helped us get on the correct exit despite very poor signage that had lead us to west instead of east the first time.

We had not planned the route of our vacation and, instead, chose to wander. In that sense, how could we be lost?

But we were! We were at an intersection literally in the middle of nowhere. And what we discovered was the kindness of a stranger who stopped because he paid attention, saw my sister looking at a map, and chose to help.

In February, we celebrated the first graduate of our new CNA Training Program—Angela Black! During this paid training program, Angela completed 80 hours shadowing on the floor, plus 80 hours of a CNA course, which allowed her to pass her certification exam with flying colors! If you know someone who would be interested in joining us in fulfilling our passion to provide the highest quality senior care in Tulsa, call Angelica Mora 918-794-1949 or email amora@saintsimeons.org today!

No experience required!

The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (13:1 NRSV).

I wonder whether this story reminds you of a kindness a stranger shared with you. I wonder if you are noticing who might need your kindness.

CNA Grad, Angela Black

APRIL/ MAY BIRTHDAYS Harold Ledbetter Anna Brown Douglas Foster Marjorie Dew Eugene Harris Frances Moore Dorothy Elliott Richard Hiskett THE QUILL » APRIL/MAY 2022

April 3rd April 5th April 5th April 10th April 14th April 14th April 27th May 3rd

David Schaaf Viola Fletcher Joseph Cummins Dale Bell Linda Davis Dolores Dukes Robert Estrada

May 7th May 10th May 18th May 20th May 21st May 24th May 25th

LIFE ENRICHMENT EVENTS Chinese New Year Residents celebrated “The Year of the Tiger” with a meal of lucky foods, including Longevity Noodles for Longevity and Wellness, Fruit for Fullness and Wealth, and Dumplings for Wealth.

Sharon Thomas at the Chinese New Year party

Becky and Lynn at Mardi Gras

Jane Whitt at Mardi Gras

Victor Orta at St. Patricks Day celebration

Linda Davis at Mardi Gras

Vera Trotier 104th Birthday

IN MEMORIAM

Mardi Gras parade Amanda Sutton and Joane Pollard

Ellen Edmondson 101st Birthday

Joanne Allison Clennie Gillespie Helen Gordon Marie Hogan

Jack Marcy Alden Miller Alvin Pannell Francis Proctor

James Richardson Bernice Robak Walter Simmons Norma Turnbo