SEPTEMBER 2022
Staff members share ideas on path to self-improvement Left to Right Front Row: Lauren Keller, Liz Miller, Kim Rawlings, Diane Gunsolley. Back Row: Sandy Barnes, Stephanie Oehlert, David Meyer
The path to self-improvement is a very personal one – with everyone looking inward to determine the best way forward. Each of us must identify our strengths and weaknesses and think about the tools that can best help us move to a better place. To help us better understand the various approaches to self-improvement, we asked our staff to share some of their insights, observations, and tools they hope to leverage to continue their personal journey. Lauren Keller - Concierge Mindfulness – It is too often that I leave little time for me to focus on my own thoughts and feelings as well as what my body and environment are telling me. I feel working on my mindfulness will help to reduce stress and anxiety as well as aid in planning for further acts of self-improvement. David Meyer – Sales & Marketing Counselor I’d have to go with fitness as my main focus. Finding a balance of time to go the gym has been difficult in recent years and leads to me not watching or caring as much about what I eat. Exercising would also give me focus on a better diet leading to overall physical and mental health. Sandy Barnes – Life Enrichment Director Everyone is always telling me that I am always thinking of others and what they want or need and not myself. So, I guess my biggest fault is not thinking of what I need and putting my needs and wants first for a change. I have been trying this at times lately and have liked the outcome when I have done so. So, I am doing it a little more often. But my family (especially my grandchildren) will always come first with me. This is just how I was raised by my Mom. She was my mentor and I learned a lot from her. She always put others first and herself last. She always was happy and I feel the same way. I love seeing others have a good time like last week at “The Big Splash”. All that work paid off to see everyone having a great time. Self-improvement – continued on page 2
Meet our new Life Enrichment Assistant Director, Shannon Cummings Q. How long have you been with PMMA? A. I started June 27th, I’ve been here for about one month with PMMA and in my current role as Life Enrichment Assistant Director. Q. Can you talk about the job and what you do? A. At this time, my job is programming Shannon and running all Cummings activities in assisted living. I’ll also be helping Sandy with other duties when she’s gone or as needed around the Aberdeen community. Besides doing activities, the living room on the second floor in Assisted Living is where I reside most of my day, so anytime a resident comes looking for something to do or just wants to chat I’m available. I like to try and invite each resident in AL to each and every activity. I am enjoying learning their likes and dislikes as well as telling them more about myself. Q. What ideas do you have for this role? A. I would like to be able to get every resident in AL to engage somehow in at least one activity. My plan is to keep them busy as much as they would like to be but give them variety as well. We’ll be incorporating some outings, live entertainment, patio time, coffee, new games they have not played, various music activities and wellness activities for their body and mind. The goal is to keep everyone as
Cummings – continued on page 3
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GRILLED CHICKEN SUMMER SALAD G RILL LLED CHICKEN SUMMER SALA LAD
Self-improvement –
continued from page 1 Liz Miller – Social Worker
I’d like to get back to running. I used to run a couple miles a few times a week, but have found it more challenging to do that recently. Running was something I hated when I was younger, but now I’ve found it’s not only a great way to exercise, but it’s an effective stress management tool too. Kim Rawlings – Human Resources Director
Personally, right now, I am focused on healthy eating. I’m eating more vegetables and less KEN SUMMER SALAD carbs and sugar. And I’m also working on getting back to my daily walking routine. We’ll see how it goes! Why am I doing CKEN SUMMER it? It givesSALAD me more energy and just overall makes me feel better.
1 salad
7 oz 7 oz 4 oz 4 oz 2 tsp ¼ tsp ¼ tsp 1 Gallon 5 ½ oz 6 oz 1 Cup ¼ Cup 1 Cup
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Fresh Zucchini Fresh Yellow Squash Red Bell Peppers Green Bell Peppers 90/10 Olive Oil/Canola Blend Kosher Salt Ground Black Pepper Spring Mix Lettuce Fresh Cucumbers Grape Tomatoes Cannellini Beans Pine Nuts Peach Vinaigrette
4 3 oz Chicken Breasts
PEACH VIN It’s always a good timePEACH to VI
Cook
1.. Cut zucchini and yellow squash in half lengthwise. Cut peppers in half and remove white pith and seeds. Season with olive oil, salt, & pepper. Grill on medium high heat for 1 minute per side until char marks formed but still retain bright colors. 2. Cool grilled vegetables and then cut zucchini and yellow squash in 1/2" slices. Slice peppers into 1.5"x 1/4" strips. Place each vegetable in separate containers for service. Cool: Follow the appropriate cooling procedures and document on cooling record.
3. Cut cucumbers and grape tomatoes and place in separate containers. For salad preparation: Place 4 cups of greens in mixing bowl, add 1/4 cup of each vegetable, and 2 oz of dressing and gently toss salad.
PEACH VINAIGRETTE
try something new and there’s never a bad time to explore a new recipe. Our dining partner, Cura Hospitality, has provided us with a healthy recipe as part of their BeWell program. For anyone wanting to eat healthier as part of our overall selfimprovement goals, give these recipes a try. Both are light on calories, but heavy in flavor.
Stephanie Oehlert – Sales & Marketing Director
My biggest area for selfimprovement is that I want to make sure I am eating healthier. I have Type 2 P EACH VINAIGR GRETTE Diabetes and it is very 1. To Chiffonade Basil, place basil 5 oz Fresh Peaches important to get weight leaves on top of one another and 2 2/3 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar repeat. Roll the leaves tightly into a under control and exercise 2 2/3 tsp Water bundle, julienne through revealing Diane Gunsolley – Chaplain but also to make sure I am 1 1/3 tsp 90/10 Olive Canola Blend thin strands of basil. Set Aside. 1/8 tsp Kosher Salt monitoring what I eat and Area of self-improvement: 2. Remove skin and pit from peaches 5/8 tsp Fresh Basil and cut into 1/2" pieces. Chop fresh especially that I am not reaching a healthy weight (and basil. eating too many carbs. maintaining it) 3. Place all ingredients except for olive Fortunately for me I Medical professionals tell us oil in blender and puree on high happen to love most speed until smooth. Reduce speed that there are many serious to low and slow add olive oil to healthy food. I just also diseases and health conditions emulsify. happen to love food that that come with being 4. Label, date, and store in a clean, isn’t healthy. So, I just have sanitized, sealable container under overweight. News flash…the refrigeration until needed for use. to make sure to professionals are right. In concentrate on eating January, my doctor told me to a healthy weight and am taking it “onemore of the healthy food and eating that I have osteoarthritis in my hip but if day-at-a-time.” Today, I swung by Saver’s other things in moderation, or just I lost ten pounds it would feel like I’d thrift store on my way to work and donated on special occasions. Keeping track lost forty. Since January, I’ve lost 45 four bags full of clothes. I’ve removed all of it all for me has helped. But, it’s pounds and dropped from clinically plus-size clothing from my wardrobe which something I always strive to obese to overweight. My body pain has is way more satisfying than swinging by improve! u reduced tremendously and my energy Dairy Queen for a hot fudge sundae. has increased. I’m committed to getting 4. Place salad on place or in bowl, then finish by adding 1/4 cup of beans, 1 tbsp pine nuts, and 3 oz hot grilled chicken.
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Community Matters 913-599-6100 u Fax: 913-599-3810 17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061-9524 AberdeenVillage.com
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is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: soehlert@pmma.org Tim Allin, executive director Stephanie Oehlert, director of sales and marketing
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2022
Cummings – continued from page 1 independent as they can be to maintain or improve their quality of life. Q. What do you find rewarding about this role. A. I am a people-person and genuinely love helping others. Not everyone has family or is comfortable socializing with strangers. Not everyone is the same or has the same interests. It is always rewarding when you can help someone “come out of their shell” and help others get to know each other. I love learning about each resident and listening to the stories they tell me about their life. I always tell people, this is the fun job - I get to have fun all day. Q. Can you share a little about the experiences you have with residents and what they mean to you? A. I love laughing with the residents when they are telling jokes or a funny story just as much as I love listening to a resident play the piano or when I find out that a resident and I share the same love of coffee. I have a resident that loves the music I
use for a music or exercise activity, and that makes me happy. I get to connect with them on a personal level, but also learn more about them and they get to learn more about me. Recently, a resident took me on a tour to show me her baby grand piano in Independent Living, and it was so nice not only for her to show me that, but to see all of her previous neighbors that still live there stop her and visit with her. It also makes me smile when I’m able to encourage one resident to meet and learn more about another resident to begin a friendship. I love seeing happiness on other people’s faces. Q. Can you talk a bit about some of your favorite activities? A. Since my background is primarily in wellness and fitness, I would say my favorite is exercise, but without music I would be lost. I like to incorporate music into every activity. It is something everyone can relate to no matter where we are in our life or health. I am looking forward to outdoor time and the outings. I do enjoy the Word Games as well as I love brain teasers and getting the residents
to really think but to enjoy learning the answers together as a group. Q. Tell us a little about yourself? A. I am originally from Kansas City, Kan., but live in Shawnee. I have been married to my husband, Jim, for nearly 17 years. We have a 13year-old daughter named Emma, and a dog, Pua. We love to travel together as well as swimming, camping, and hiking. I worked in fitness for 11 years as a Personal Trainer and group Exercise Instructor before I became a Physical Therapist Assistant for 9 years and then jumped into the non-clinical side as a Wellness Coordinator and Activities. I like to run, I’m even currently training for a 15K (9.3 miles) trail run in November and I have not run this particular race since 2013. I love finding new shows to watch on Netflix with my husband, right now I’m addicted to Formula 1: Drive to Survive. I love being outdoors and summer is definitely my favorite season. I am a K-State Wildcat, and graduated from there in 2001. In case it isn’t obvious, I like to have fun. u
Chaplains learning and team-building For the first time, chaplains from across our PMMA communities gathered together in August for learning, and team-building. The chaplains came to Wichita to participate in the Global Leadership Summit. “The variety of teachers used the accomplishments in their lives to inspire and motivate each of us to continue to develop in our own lives,” said Wichita Presbyterian Manor Chaplain Greg Spring. The chaplains did spend some time
away from the summit for meals and a group activity. PMMA CEO Bruce Shogren joined the chaplains, offering uplifting words about the importance of the chaplains’ work in each of our away from the summit. “Caring for PMMA communities. residents or employees, and treating The chaplains left the conference with them as a family is the key to leadership.” a lot to think about and plenty of ideas to take back to their “On behalf of all our Chaplains, I communities. would like to thank PMMA for investing in our lives and careers by “Leadership is about building relationships,” said Rev. Dinah Dutta, making the Global Leadership Summit a Networking opportunity,” chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, as she recapped what she took said Chaplain Spring. u Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Aberdeen Village shares customer service survey responses Aberdeen Village continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys. Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. The graphic highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between July 2021 and June 2022, Aberdeen Village residents and their families gave the community high scores in demonstrating dignity and respect, cleanliness, and attention to individual needs.
The community also received a high score from residents and family members who would recommend to other. “I would tell them that it is a wonderful place to live,” said one resident. We greatly value the opinions of our
We Score! Source: Pinnacle Quality Insight (12 month ave. July 2021 - June 2022)
5 4
4.82
4.74
Recommend to Others
Individual Needs
ASSISTED LIVING
HEALTH CARE
COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2022
5.00
4.63
3 2 1 0
17500 W. 119th St.
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residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u
Olathe, KS 66061-9524
Cleanliness PATH
Dignity & Respect INDEPENDENT LIVING