Aberdeen Heights
Serving our community MARCH 2022
Strength and flexibility key to well-being Aberdeen Heights’ new wellness coordinator, Taylor Combs, doesn’t apologize if her classes are sometimes a little difficult. “It’s supposed to be challenging,” Taylor said. “They shouldn’t always be easy — there should be workouts that make you take a deep breath in and out. I’m willing to work a little hard, but I try to make it fun, too.”
The start of the new year provided an opportunity to find ways to serve others in our community. In January, we held our first Community Service Club meeting in the assisted living neighborhood. Members made blankets to donate to the St. Patrick’s Center. This club will meet monthly and continue to develop meaningful service projects as a way to give back to the St. Louis community. u
Taylor Combs
Her reason for pushing residents is rooted in the knowledge that increased strength and flexibility are critical to quality of life, and these skills help residents navigate daily tasks with more ease and confidence. “They benefit from the classes, especially those that focus on strength and mobility,” Taylor said. “Working on range of motion helps seniors avoid injuries that are common with aging. On strength, the movements they do with dumbbells prepare them for everyday activities, like going up stairs, walking outside on the ice, or stepping over a spilled cup. I try to focus on the bigger picture and bring it down to strength.” One of the most rewarding parts of Taylor’s work is when residents share their growth.
Exercise – continued on page 2
At the first meeting of the Community Service Club, members made blankets to donate to the St. Patrick’s Center.
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at AberdeenSeniorLiving.com/covid-19.
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Exercise – continued from page 1 “I’ve had residents say, ‘I’ve been able to go up a pound in weight,’” Taylor said. “They are so proud — and they should be proud. It seems like a small achievement, but it’s huge. It shows you are not declining, that you are improving your strength. One woman said she’s never felt that good. That makes me feel so good.” Physical and mental health are intertwined, and it’s important to keep both in good shape. “If you don’t feel good about yourself, it affects other areas of your life,” Taylor said. “It can put a damper on your health. If you’re not feeling well mentally, it can affect your physical health, and vice versa. Physical activity lightens your mood, and it seems that residents feel inspired by the workouts. They want to continue to feel that way.”
are very motivated to work out,” Taylor said. “They are encouraged to do another round, and for me, sitting in front of them and doing the exercises, I think it helps get them ready.” Since starting in her new position in November, Taylor said she’s found a great deal of fulfillment and satisfaction in her work, which aligns perfectly with her education and personal interests. “I love fitness,” Taylor said. “I grew up playing sports, and when I graduated I had to figure out what to
do. I got an undergraduate degree in social work, then decided to get my master’s in recreational therapy. When I saw this (job) posting, it looked like fun. I get to think about my own programs, and I get to work out all day. I use the skills of a social worker and bring in my knowledge of fitness and nutrition.” Outside of work, Taylor is engaged to be married in April. She has a dog named Beans, and she loves to bike, kayak, be outdoors, watch sports and spend time with family and friends. u
To exercise both, Taylor incorporates mental strategies into her workouts, such as marches that require alternate leg motions, counting repetitions and switching arm positions. Taylor said she finds a great amount of joy in her classes, particularly when the residents get engaged and motivated to stay healthy. “When I engage with residents, they
Assisted living residents do a ball exercise at the Tone Zone Tuesdays group fitness class.
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Community Matters 314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: lliefer@pmma.org Christie Wolff, executive director Anthony Altobella, health care administrator
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Aberdeen Heights recognized for customer experience by Pinnacle Quality Insight Aberdeen Heights, a PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica®) senior living community, is a recipient of Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2022 Customer Experience Award™. Aberdeen Heights’ health care center qualified for the award in the categories of activities, admission process, meeting individual needs, safety and security, and demonstrating dignity and respect. The award signifies Aberdeen Heights’ continued dedication to providing Best in Class senior health care services.
By qualifying for the Pinnacle Customer Experience Award™, Aberdeen Heights has satisfied the rigorous demand of scoring in the top 15 percent of the nation across a 12-month average. Clients have the opportunity to achieve this Best in Class distinction on a monthly basis in many categories designed to accurately reflect each resident’s experience.
phone surveys each year and works with more than 2,500 care providers in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
A customer satisfaction measurement firm with 25 years of experience in post-acute health care, Pinnacle conducts over 150,000
For more information about Aberdeen Heights, contact Beatriz Quinn, marketing director, at 314909-6066 or bquinn@pmma.org. u
Aberdeen Heights has served the St. Louis County area since 2011 with independent and assisted living, skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and short-term rehabilitation. Learn more at AberdeenSeniorLiving.com.
“The Customer Experience Award demonstrates the continued faith that our residents and their families place in us to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values and the excellence with which our employees carry out that mission every day,” said Christie Wolff, executive director. Throughout its 11-year history of serving the community, Aberdeen Heights has placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that the individual needs of every resident are met. Over the course of 2021, a sampling of Aberdeen Heights’ customers and their families have participated in monthly telephone interviews that include open-ended questions, as well as the opportunity to rate Aberdeen Heights in specific categories. Every month, Aberdeen Heights has gathered its real-time survey results to gain a better understanding of the residents’ needs and make improvements when necessary. Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Books provide enriching experiences Since moving to Aberdeen Heights, Marian Senger has found some extra time to discover new books and authors. Currently, she’s turning the pages of John Steinbeck’s classic novel “Travels with Charlie.” “It is a humorous book about a man taking a trip around the U.S. with his dog,” Marian said. “He treats his dog as a human and lets him decide which directions to keep going. The writer uses such uncommon and beautiful words throughout the book.” In fact, she said that Steinbeck — whose well-known novels include “East of Eden” and “The Grapes of Wrath” — is her favorite writer. Aside from Steinbeck, she enjoys reading historical books, biographies and a variety of fiction and nonfiction books. Though she’s always enjoyed reading, Marian said she’s able to spend more of her time with books since making the move to Aberdeen Heights. “I have a lot of time on my hands, but I am never bored if I am reading a good book,” she said. Her voracious appetite for reading is aided by the great selection of books available at local libraries, which include a surprisingly large collection of large-print books. u
505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 2022
Marian Senger, books are her passion.