Commun ty Matters Rolla Presbyterian Manor
June 2017
Why are you here? By Allen Teal, chaplain Rolla Presbyterian Manor What gives life value? A few answers always seem to percolate to the surface. The responses often relate to a job, career or family. This works well for those who have achieved success. It is also fine for people who are blessed with a wonderful family. What about those who struggle from paycheck to paycheck doing work that means little to them or who come from dysfunctional or nearly nonexistent families? “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, NIV). In the book of Esther, Queen Esther was put into a position where if she did nothing, all of her people would be slaughtered. If she spoke up, she might be killed. WHY, continued on page 4
Executive Director Ann Caudill recognizes Linda Adams for 25 years of service.
Honoring our nursing staff
Meet Linda Adams, a member of our outstanding staff Less paperwork. More people work. That’s why Linda Adams has stayed with her job as a certified medication technician for so long. With more than 25 years at Rolla Presbyterian Manor, Linda is one of our longest serving employees and is beloved by our residents. Every spring, we honor our hard-working nursing staff by participating in two recognition events that are observed nationwide. In May we celebrated National Nurses Week, with the theme of “Nursing: the Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit.” This month we observe the 40th annual National Nursing Assistants Week, which kicks off June 15 with National Career Nursing Assistants Day. The theme for this month’s celebration is “Nursing Assistants – I Choose Respect.” NURSES, continued on page 2
NURSES continued from page 1
We see staff members like Linda live out these themes every day. She has worked in long-term care since she was 14; her first job was activity assistant for a nursing home. Soon, she became a nurse’s aide and came to work at Presbyterian Manor. Before long, she said, her supervisors sent her to classes to become a medication technician. Helping our employees advance in their skills and education is a priority for Presbyterian Manors, and Linda was grateful for the opportunity. She considered going further, and she took some medical assistant courses. But ultimately Linda said she enjoyed her work as a CMT so much that she didn’t want to change. “I really enjoy myself here. People tease me that this is my happy place,” Linda said. “I don’t just work. We have fun, the residents have fun; we tease back and forth. They get me good!” Linda joked that she always liked working with older adults and “now I’m one of them!” She added, however, that it’s rewarding work to know that she helps meet residents’ needs and brightens their days.
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Rolla Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org
Nursing staff with 10 or more years of service at Rolla Presbyterian Manor include: Linda Adams, CMT – 25 years
Ann Caudill, executive director Joelle Freeland, marketing director
Theresa Wood, CNA – 18 years
To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Joelle Freeland at lfreeland@pmma.org.
Carmen Stites, LPN – 15 years
Telephone: 573-364-7336 Fax: 573-364-7336 Address: 1200 Homelife Plaza, Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. RollaPresbyterianManor.org
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Thank you to Linda and all of our nursing staff who live out our mission every day through their respect, compassionate service and advocacy for our residents!
Community Matters June 2017
Bernadette Royal, CMT – 17 years
Krystal Grisham, RN/MDS Coordinator – 15 years Mary Blankenship, LPN – 13 years Cheryl Dewing, CNA/CMT – 13 years
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Spring Fling dance with University of Missouri students Students from the University of Missouri Science and Technology’s Swing Dance group and the Rolla High School Honor Society recently visited with residents, danced and served refreshments. Every year, the swing dancers hold an early Spring Fling Dance with us, performing first and then dancing with the residents.
Top left: Resident George Karr enjoys a dance. Top right: Social Services Designee Valerie Eades and resident Joyce Tucker share their love of music. Left: Resident Muriel Hodge takes a spin around the dance floor. Below: If there is an opportunity to dance, you will find Jean McFarland there.
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Rolla Presbyterian Manor 1200 Homelife Plaza Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Return Service Requested
WHY, continued from page 1
relative pointed out to her that this was the defining moment of her life. It was why she had been elevated from obscurity to become the queen of Persia. Her reason for being alive was to save her people. Knowing this gave her the courage to risk her life and go before the king to plead the cause of her people. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” (John 12:27, NIV). In the New Testament unlike Esther, Jesus knew his purpose for living.
He understood that his mission was to become the savior of mankind. Knowing this critical piece of information gave him the strength as a man to push through the hardships involved in attaining his purpose. Having a sense of direction and being able to focus on great goals that we hope to gain can give us the power to overcome the obstacles in our life.
After King Solomon had considered all of things that people used to motivate and define their lives, he reached this solitary conclusion: knowing and serving God can give every life purpose and direction. The endless quest to have more money, power, and things never results in true contentment.
The Apostle Paul arrived at a similar conclusion, and offered this simple “Now all has been heard; here is the advice to Timothy that most would conclusion of the matter: Fear God and be wise to take: “So if we have enough keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, food and clothing, let us be content.” (I NIV). Timothy 6:8, NLT).
Continuing education
We will be featuring employees who have continued their education with Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s help in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story to tell about an employee you know is continuing their education, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share your story. If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Joelle Freeland and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters June 2017
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