Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor
April 2019
Employees at Wichita Presbyterian Manor gather to celebrate their zero-deficiency rating from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Resident Barker Davis enjoys a visit by the Kansas Humane Society.
Tails of happiness Humane society volunteers bring companionship to community For almost 15 years, volunteers from the Kansas Humane Society have been bringing adoptable animals to the community to spread happiness and rekindle past loves through a program called Project Companionship. The volunteers visit the community once a month, and, according to program coordinator Sue Kleinheksel, both the reception and overall impact the visits have on residents is incredible. “It’s just amazing how many thank TAILS, continued on page 2
Wichita Presbyterian Manor earns prestigious zero-deficiency rating Wichita Presbyterian Manor earned a zero-deficiency health care survey from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services following its annual inspection in mid-February. “We are very proud of our staff’s achievement,” said Courtney Wolfe, executive director. “It is their commitment to our mission and residents that led to a deficiency-free community. We’ve created a foundation here that enables us to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values for our seniors every day.” Each year, senior living communities are surveyed by their licensing agency for compliance of regulations established by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. These regulations, which number in the hundreds, are designed to ensure a standard of care is met. By meeting this standard, senior living communities are able to renew their licenses and continue to provide care. There are 17 major areas assessed, which include quality of care and physical environment. The surveyors look at every aspect of a resident’s RATING, continued on page 2
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life, from dietary choices, to dental care; from frequency of physician visits to ease of access to their mail. “Being recognized as a deficiency-free community offers evidence of the staff’s compassion and desire to make Wichita Presbyterian Manor a place our residents are honored to call home,” Wolfe said. The achievement by Wichita Presbyterian Manor places the senior living community in the top tier of survey performances in Kansas.
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Courtney Wolfe, executive director Melody Dodge, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Amy Watson, life enrichment director, awatson@pmma.org. Telephone: 316-942-7456 Fax: 316-941-3806 Address: 4700 W. 13th St., Wichita, KS 67212-5575 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. WichitaPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters April 2019
Former resident Hertha Shale and a lap dog from the Kansas Humane Society.
the other volunteers also bring yous we receive from the residents,” along Bridget, a large stuffed dog that residents can hold and hug. said Sue. “Even when we go into But she says, regardless of whether the memory care facilities, the people who are not very cordial or the animal is stuffed or real, she responsive will start responding to is always struck by the incredible the animals and will start talking and power of animals. smiling.” “They bring so much joy to the Each visit to the community is a residents, staff and families during little different and can often vary in our visits,” said Sue. “It’s just length depending on the “stamina” of amazing to see what animals do for individual dogs and cats. our health.” “Sometimes they have a wonderful Currently, Project Companionship time and want to stay forever but visits 14 communities in the area and some get tired because they’re in so despite the workload, Sue doesn’t many laps of residents and in bed consider it work. “It’s such a joy,” with residents,” said Sue. said Sue. “People ask, ‘what kind of job is it’ and I say, ‘it’s not a job…it’s To help supplement the living/ breathing companions, Sue and a joy.’” TAILS, continued from page 1
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Alice Kalb breaks ground on the first Presbyterian Manor.
Presbyterian Manor system to celebrate 70 years On April 19, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA) will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Our first very first community opened in Newton, Kan., on April 19, 1949, nearly two years after 90-year-old Alice Kalb of El Dorado, Kan., asked the United Presbyterian Synod if it would consider opening a home for the aged. A small exploratory committee formed to look at the idea and determined it had merit.
funds for Presbyterian Manors on Mother’s Day continues today. The first resident, Mrs. Frances Belle Townsend of Smith Center, Kan., moved into the first Presbyterian home for the aged on April 19. Alice Kalb moved in on April 21, and lived there until her death in 1951.
When it came time to name this new establishment, the committee did not choose to name it the Presbyterian Home for the Aged. To raise funds for the Newton effort, Instead, based on the separate a dedicated offering throughout suggestions of two women—Mrs. the synod took place on Mother’s Mary Page of Topeka and Grace Day in 1948. The practice of raising Derby of Manhattan, it was named Like us on Facebook
Newton Presbyterian Manor. Grace later lived at Presbyterian Manor in Newton until her death in 1966. Alice’s dream has turned into a network of 17 senior living communities across Kansas and Missouri with more than 2,400 residents. The mission of the organization remains true to its core: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. PMMA has plans to extend its mission into Colorado with the proposed development of Aberdeen Ridge in Colorado Springs. Wichita Presbyterian Manor
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Wichita Presbyterian Manor’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home—it’s about getting you back to your life. Call 316-942-7456 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour. WichitaPresbyterianManor.org 4
Community Matters April 2019
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