Topeka Presbyterian Manor
JUNE 2020
“Kansas Vista, 2020” by Carrie Magill.
Tim McHenry and his therapy dog, Cheyenne, share a message of hope with residents at Topeka Presbyterian Manor.
Local news outlets feature ‘random acts of kindness’ at Topeka Presbyterian Manor
During this time of social distancing, members of the wider community are finding creative ways to connect with residents at Topeka Presbyterian Manor, and local news outlets are taking notice. Students from Landon Middle School have written dozens of letters to residents. The students ask about resident’s lives, and they also describe how they are learning at home. Landon Principal Stacy Schreiner personally delivered the correspondence. Resident Kay Jones discussed the letters on a KSNT newscast. “It’s a breath of fresh air, truly,” Kay said. “I love having these letters, because I can read them and reread them. And I’ll no doubt respond to some of them.” Last month, the Topeka Capital-Journal ran a story about “random acts of KINDNESS - continued on page 2
Local senior artist creates landscapes, portraits Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Topeka Presbyterian Manor did not hold its Art is Ageless® competition this year. We still received some wonderful submissions, and we want to celebrate the talent of local senior artists. This month, we’re sharing work by Carrie Magill, who entered two watercolor pieces and one pastel. A beautiful view from the turnpike between Topeka and Lawrence inspired Carrie to paint “Kansas Vista.” The watercolor depicts Kansas farmland near the Kansas River. The artist says she finds the winter landscape just as captivating as the new growth in spring. Carrie says watercolor landscapes force artists to use color and brushstrokes to capture a scene without overworking the details. ARTIST - continued on page 3
Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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KINDNESS - continued from page 1
kindness” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reporter Brianna Childers included the story of Tim McHenry and his therapy dog Cheyenne. The pair regularly visit hospitals and senior living communities through the organization Prairieland Visiting Animals. Since Tim and Cheyenne can’t visit Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents inside, they have been making appearances outside the windows. Tim uses signs to explain who they are, and Cheyenne lends his talents to the effort by rolling over and giving Tim a high five. In the newspaper story, Tim said that he believes the crisis has inspired people to do more for their communities. “People are doing things that maybe they hadn’t considered doing before and either because they have the time or they have the resources, they just have the ingenuity,” he was quoted as saying.
Kay Jones reads letters from pen pals at Landon Middle School. “They’ve found a way to impact people around them.” These are only two examples of people doing something special for our residents recently. Community members have sent artwork, brightened our campus with chalk, and performed outdoor concerts. Our staff and residents appreciate
Tim McHenry and his therapy dog, Cheyenne, visit residents at Topeka Presbyterian Manor through the windows. all the family members, friends and volunteers who have gone out of their way to lift our spirits through this period of social distancing. ◆
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TOPEKA Presbyterian Manor
785-272-6510 ◆ Fax: 785-272-0496 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 TopekaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2020
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Topeka Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: rdahlgren@pmma.org Heather Pilkinton, executive director Rose Dahlgren, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
ARTIST - continued from page 1
In her watercolor “Wine Country,” she conveys the landscape without painting each separate rock and leaf. Instead, the viewer fills in the details when they look at the painting. Carrie says pastels are her go-to medium for portraits such as “Max,” her final submission. Layering colors creates depth and soul, bringing the portrait to life. Local competition winners join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards. The 2021 calendar marks the 40th anniversary of the Art is Ageless program.
years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Art is Ageless program encourages Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. ◆
Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five
“Wine Country, 2018” by Carrie Magill.
“Max, 2018” by Carrie Magill.
COVID-19 updates continue
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, TopekaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. Get the latest information about visitation and restrictions on deliveries and learn more about PMMA’s infection control efforts to contain COVID-19 across the PMMA system. ◆
Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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TOPEKA Presbyterian Manor
4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Satisfaction surveys by Pinnacle Quality Insight As part of Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing customer service initiative, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. Here’s just a sampling of what some shared: “The staff was awesome. They were very caring, nice and informative. I appreciated how efficient they were to stay on [my loved one’s] needs and medication. It’s the best [facility] in Topeka.” 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 March 2019 and February 2020, Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2020
Source: Pinnacle Quality Insight (12 month ave. Mar. 2019 - Feb. 2020)
5 4
4.77
4.88
5.00
Move-in Process
Dignity & Respect
Professional Therapy
4.78
3 2 1
INDEPENDENT LIVING
HEALTH CARE
PATH
Communication ASSISTED LIVING
high scores in showing residents dignity and respect, ease of the move-in process, communication and professional therapy.
and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight.
We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care
All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. ◆