The thirty-ninth anniversary of Kirby Pines is just a month away. Whether you have been a resident for thirty-nine months or just thirty-nine days, you are enjoying first hand the numerous improvements and upgrades the community has made over the past years. These improvements and our consistency as a leader in the senior living industry, has resulted in Kirby Pines being voted the Best Retirement Community by the readers of The Memphis Commercial Appeal for fifteen consecutive years.
Here are just a few reasons why we have earned this citywide recognition year after year: The Performing Arts Center over the years has hosted artists from our own Resident Groups, the New Orleans Jazz Ensemble, Memphis Opera and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The Dog Park is now opened, allowing our four legged Kirby family a place to run free and enjoy the shade provided by the majestic pine trees that border the park; cornhole boards are now permanently in place and tournaments have become one more enjoyable sport that many play on campus; dozens of koi fish have been introduced into the lake and several residents enjoy feeding them along the banks or from the bridge; the walking path in Kirby’s natural preserve was recently redone for those who enjoy daily walks with nature; the Art Wall has become so popular that we had to expand the gallery area; and we are steadily moving forward with the renovations of hallways in each building. Of course, the grand lobby continues to be busy place for residents to gather near the fireplace, around the concert Steinway piano, in the bright and cheering sunroom, or at cozy niches by the grand staircase.
Regardless of how long you have been a resident, or have been contemplating a move to Kirby Pines, our thirty-ninth anniversary is possible because of the trust you and so many in the Memphis community have in us. On behalf of all employees, thank you for your cooperative spirits throughout the years, and may I suggest you make some time to relax in August, as our thirty-ninth celebrations are just a month away.
Michael Escamilla, Executive Director, Kirby Pines
A friend told me this story recently. A seven-year-old girl was sitting on her grandmother’s lap. As the little girl moved her hand casually over the older woman’s face, Grandma said, “Honey, those are my wrinkles. They mean that I’m getting older.” The little girl thought for a moment and then asked, “Grandma, do wrinkles hurt?”
That’s a loaded question! It involves more than just wrinkles. It deals with the whole business of aging. Age is an issue at all times of our life. In fact, age is an issue of life because our aging determines in large part the pattern of our lives.
It’s difficult to think of aging without reflecting on retirement. I believe in retirement, but I’m afraid our culture has equated retirement with “ceasing to work”… and ceasing to work has become inactivity or endless days of golfing, fishing, or some other recreation.
Back to wrinkles; do they hurt? NO! In fact, our wrinkles could mean far more than added years. They could mean
Wisdom, if we decided to continue growing and sharing;
Joy, if we used some of our time relating to, and serving others;
Continued growth, if we did not retire our minds, and involved ourselves in the issues that are impacting our community;
Spiritual growth, if we banded together with a few others in mutual accountability, if we practiced prayer and regularly shared in public worship.
We live in a culture which glorifies youth. Notice the people in the TV commercials. We “older folks” need to show America a good image of aging by personifying an exciting sign of wrinkles. The Bible says that “Gray hair is a crown of splendor. (Proverbs 20:29). Many of the biblical heroes were up in age before they did great things.
Our wrinkles need not hurt. Let’s make them a badge of honor.
Describe your family: I have a younger brother ad sister. We all enjoy eating and hanging out.
Describe yourself in five words: Humble, patient, kind, open-minded and dependable.
What do you do for fun: I enjoy acting silly with my family, especially my son.
Do you have a pet: A 10 year old Yorkie named Cody and a 1 year old Pitbull named KoKo.
Do you have any hobbies or interests: I can’t sing, but love it. Give me a microphone and it’s on!
What is your favorite thing about your job: I really enjoy helping people and learning new things.
What is your favorite food: Any red pasta & gummy candy. Favorite song: Love All Over Me by Monica. But many more, too.
What is something you are proud of:I am a proud mother of a four year old son.
What would you like people to know about you:I love to laugh, laugh, laugh. I love funny movies and stand-up comedy shows.
As a nurse on the Rehab Unit, Nasheka definitely makes a difference in the resident’s care. Her pleasing personality warmly welcomes residents and their families, comforting them during their stay. Her kindness along with expertise as an efficient and effective clinician makes her a joy to work with. The key to Nasheka’s success as a Unit Manager and a great team player is her ability to deliver stellar results, often times under pressure—with a smile. Congratulations from all of us!
1. Conquer Your Fear. Fear holds us back from living our best lives. While exploring a new thing can be intimidating and scary, you know that you will get better with time. You have not come this far in your life by being timid, but by being brave.
Look back at all those things that you were once afraid of that now enjoy, maybe it was making a speech or dancing and see how you conquered that! This too will be fun.
2. Have A Positive, Open Attitude. It is true that your attitude determines your altitude. Have an open attitude towards learning about computers and the Internet.
3. Reach Out. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for help when you make the choice to learn about technology. Most people are really good at this and will be more than willing to help. This could also be a great time to spend time and bond with your child or grandchild.
4. Google. In some cases, you may not have someone physically there to assist you, not to worry Google is your friend. Once you are connected to the Internet, you can use Google to find out anything you need to know.
If you search ‘how to use Microsoft word,’ Google will provide you with countless detailed results to pick from. Follow the instructions that are simplest to you.
5. Basic Settings Should Suit Your Needs. Making simpler alterations to suit your needs such as larger text size and louder sounds will improve your experience.
6. Write Down Your Passwords. As you get older you may experience some level of forgetfulness which is quite normal. It is therefore advisable to have a backup plan. Write down your new passwords in your journal so that in the event you log out and forget, you can always get them in hard copy.
7. Battery. Only charge your computer, tablet, or phone when the battery is running low on charge. Charging your device all day can reduce the battery life.
8. Personal Information. If you are making an online transaction or storing bank details, it is important to speak to your bank and understand the precautions you need to take. However, your information is safe in such situation.
9. Search History. If you share your tablet or computer with someone say a spouse or your grandchildren who want to play games but you want to keep your activities private, always delete your search history when you are done.
10. Most Things are Free. While in the real world most things are not free, on the Internet they are. According to a BBC article, an application for counting your calories or playing your favorite puzzle will not cost you a thing. However, be sure to check first.
11. Read Reviews Before Buying Items Online. If you want to buy a particular product or use a certain service say booking a hotel online, online reviews are very helpful. Most companies will not be honest about their shortcomings on their website, but a reviewer will be.
12. Virus/Malware Scanning. Invest in a good antivirus; this is a great way to keep your information protected. The good news is that most computers nowadays come with an inbuilt virus and malware and the scanner is quite user-friendly.
Usually one thinks of a slowing down of life when moving to a senior living facility such as Kirby Pines. Many of the residents here, however, continue a very active lifestyle because of the numerous and varied activities available. That is certainly the case of Paula and Chuck Hanson. Both have had outstanding careers and reared two sons who are successful professionals, one a pediatrician and the other, Head of a University Department. Chuck continues a consulting business and he and Paula stay busy contributing to activities in their church community as well as those at Kirby Pines. As their story unfolds, only a sketch of their abundant life is possible.
Both Chuck and Paula (VanEaton) were born in 1941, she in Newbern, Tennessee and he at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Memphis. Paula’s family moved to Memphis when she was in the seventh grade. She graduated from Messick High School, then, enrolled in Freed Hardeman College, earning a B.S. in Elementary Education from Memphis State University in 1962. Chuck graduated from Frayser High School and then enrolled at Freed Hardeman College. He and Paula met as freshmen and the romance bloomed. They were married in August of 1962 during Chuck’s senior year at the University of Mississippi where he graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. The Hansons will celebrate sixty years of marriage this year.
While Chuck was completing his senior year at Ole Miss, Paula started her career in Yocona, Mississippi as a fourth and fifth-grade teacher in the elementary school. According to Paula, “both grades were taught in one room of a run-down, unpainted, wooden building with a coal stove for heat and a see-through floor!”
When Chuck graduated, he and Paula returned to Memphis and have lived here ever since, moving four different times. Following the birth of their two sons, Paula was a stay-at-home Mom until both entered school. Then, she became a third-grade teacher at Harding Academy where she taught for eleven years. Paula says, “I retired when my first granddaughter was born. Our family now includes two great daughters-in-law and three granddaughters.”
Chuck’s entire work history has been with Velsicol Chemical Corporation, a company headquartered in Chicago, IL. He started as an engineer in the Research and Development Department, later holding management positions in Environmental Health and Safety, Product Safety and Risk Management. The work in his later career was spent in international travel. According to Chuck, “The time which brought me the greatest satisfaction was as a technical advisor to the United Nations Environmental Programme in Geneva and Rome. During that time I worked with governments, including China, India, Brazil, and Argentina in the development of processes for the management of risks associated with the use of chemical products.” Chuck retired in 2008 from Velsicol after forty-five years with the company. However, he created his own consulting business and remains very active.
Together Paula and Chuck have enjoyed traveling to many places around the world. They list as the most memorable, Sorrento, Venice, Florence Italy, the Great Wall of China in Beijing, and London. However, their traveling has not always been international as boating became their favorite hobby. According to Chuck, “We enjoyed cruising our offshore cruiser down the Tennessee Tom Bigby Waterway to Mobile, Alabama and on to Carrabelle, Florida via the inland waterway and then on to Sarasota, Florida by the open waterways of the Gulf of Mexico. We have taken this trip three times!” Their other hobbies have varied over the years but include metal working, foundry and metal lathe, and ceramics.
Paula and Chuck have been active members of the church of Christ for many years and both have been involved with a ministry to Southeast Asians in Memphis for the last forty-one years. Both are currently teaching a Sunday morning class to those members at Germantown Church of Christ.
The move to Kirby Pines came in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They knew about Kirby Pines because Paula’s mother lived here for the last thirteen years of her life. “We already had first-hand experience with Kirby Pines and knew personally the quality of care provided here.” Both continue, “We enjoy the Christian environment and the peace of mind afforded by the concept of Life Care.”
Chuck & Paula 1962
There are many activities in which to become involved at Kirby, so Chuck and Paula have had no difficulty in finding something to do in their spare time. Paula enjoys playing Mexican Train Dominoes, gardening, arranging flowers, and participating in the production of The Sound of Music. She also loves reading and is a member of The Book Baggers Book Club as well as volunteering for the Marketing Department. Chuck enjoys Mah Jongg and singing with the Entertainers Chorus. He is frequently a soloist with that group being blessed with a beautiful tenor voice. And last but not least, they serve as Wing Leaders for both K and L Wings! According to Chuck, “We both have a list of things we would like to do when we get the time.”
Chuck feels fortunate to be the third longest-living member in his family for five generations and hopes to set a record. Fortunately, Chuck and Paula chose to be a part of the Kirby family. Hopefully, they will both continue in good health and have many years to enjoy all the things on their “bucket” lists.
It’s summer! Your plans may include driving out of town to visit family or friends for a long weekend, or something local like going to see the Memphis Redbirds play a game or heading to your favorite restaurant for a night of fine dining. Unlike in the winter, we tend not to think about weather conditions and travel safety as much. In the colder months, we are typically more cognizant of the weather forecast and freezing temperatures because they can hinder our ability to get to where we want to go. There’s nothing like a huge snowstorm in the forecast to ruin your travel plans or delay a trip! Although the heat may not seem like it’s as dangerous as the cold, it certainly brings its own potential challenges. Extreme heat can affect your car, and if your car should break down while you are traveling, the occupants can be at risk of heat-related illnesses, such as sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
With the summer in full swing, it’s a great time to talk about travel safety and what can be done to ensure you are as prepared as possible when you get behind the wheel or climb into a car, no matter how long or short your trip might be. If you plan to travel, or even head out for a simple trip to Kroger this summer, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind.
Check Your Vehicle. It is important to make sure your car is in tip-top shape. You can run a recall check through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to see if your vehicle has any critical safety issues here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. You will also want to make sure your tires, cooling system, fluid levels, batteries, lights, and wiper blades are all functioning properly. Motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power-steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid can all be at risk of running dry in hot weather. Keep them topped off and double-check them before any long trips. And don’t forget to fuel up!
Avoid Risky Behaviors. Don’t text and drive or drive distracted. Pick your music before you start to drive. Set your GPS and know where you are going before you put your foot on the gas. Limit your distractions as much as possible. Make sure you wear your seat belt, every trip, every time.
Plan Ahead. Before you leave, make sure your vehicle is stocked. Even a well-maintained vehicle can break down, so it’s smart to have an emergency roadside kit in your car. This can help keep you safe, should you find yourself stranded. You can keep the kit in your trunk, and make sure it stays stocked! Some of the things to keep in your kit can include:
Battery pack and charger cable for your cell phone • First aid kit Flashlight and spare batteries • Flares and a white flag Jumper cables • Tire pressure gauge • Jack (for changing tires) Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines Maps • Notepad and paper
Take Care of Yourself. As the driver, it is important to make sure you are safe behind the wheel. Driving relies heavily on vision and response time, so it’s critical that those skills are intact. Visual acuity, or how clearly you can see, and field of vision, or how wide of an area your eye can see when you focus on a central point, are the two most important factors in terms of vision for safe driving. Vision screens and cognitive assessments are offered through the Therapy Department and can be a great tool to help ensure driver safety.
For more information on how Functional Pathways could help you travel safely this summer, please contact our Therapy Team!
Brittany Austin,National Director of Health and Wellness, Functional Pathways
Treadmills seem simple, but they can be hazardous, particularly for people with joint or balance issues. “Trying to catch yourself when you lose your balance can result in muscle strains or injury in almost any joint”, says physical therapist Mary Ann Wilmarth, CEO of Back2Back Physical Therapy in Andover, Mass.
“Injuries can go all the way up the kinetic chain when people slip and try to recover by catching themselves. This can mean foot injuries, strained or sprained ankles, shoulders and wrists – as well as the back and hips if you’re twisting as you lose balance,” she says.
You can protect yourself by using these tips to tread more safely.
Use a full-sized treadmill with side rails. The belt should be at least 22 inches wide and 50 inches long, and the machine should have handrails on both sides you can use for balance.
Wear sturdy, low-heeled athletic shoes. Soles higher than 1 inch can lead to ankle rollovers. Use the topmost shoelace hole for extra stability.
Learn the controls. Before you step on, get familiar with how to adjust the speed, incline and especially the red “fast-stop” button.
Use the safety key. Before you hit start, clip the safety key to your shirt so if you slip, the machine will stop immediately.
Start, then step on. Hold the rail and stand on either side of the belt as you start it at a low speed. Then step on the belt and increase speed slowly.
Use a slight incline. An incline of about 2% can reduce impact on the spine, hips, knees, feet and ankles, but a steeper climb increases joint stress.
Find the right stride. You’ll know it’s on target when you’re walking comfortably – not overstretching your lead leg – with arms swinging freely.
Look straight ahead. Looking down or around can throw off your balance and cause you to trip.
Stay centered. Know where you are on the belt and avoid drifting sideways or toward the back of the belt.
Catch Your Fall: If you start to fall while you’re on the treadmill, hit the emergency stop button. Grasp the rails and move your feet to one side, then step off and sit down until you’ve recovered.
Use the NuStep as an alternative if you are currently using an aid for balance, such as a cane, walker or wheelchair or having balance issues. You should not attempt to use the treadmill.
Tomorrow’s Treadmill – One day in the near future, a treadmill that uses sonar technology to automatically adjust its speed to match the pace of the user may be the future of treadmills. But until then, follow these guidelines for safety on the treadmill.
Never use exercise equipment if you have any questions about how to use it. Exercise is important, but your safety is more important.
July is traditionally the month when we begin to think about summer, however, the summer high temperatures began in June this year. July is also when we begin to plan celebrating America’s independence with family and good friends. This July will be no exception for residents at Kirby Pines Life Care Community.
As part of national Hot Dog Month, the Bistro is bringing back to its menu a Hot Dog of the week. What better way to celebrate the opening month of summer than with a meal that is so closely tied to family outings, and the gatherings of friends. In addition, it is an excellent way to entertain grandchildren and great grandchildren visiting for the day.
If the start of summer weather has you feeling like staying indoors, then why not take a moment to check out a book from the library, or find the perfect movie playing in the movie theater. You can also enjoy playing cards or bingo, or just sitting back and relaxing to various musical entertainment available to you this month in the PAC. Living at a life-care retirement community such Kirby Pines, offers so much more than simply living in comfort. Living here provides you with more time to spend doing the things you enjoy, including volunteering.
Volunteering brings benefits to both the community at large and the residents who volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically as well as socially. It also contributes to making a more cohesive community by building trust and reciprocity among the residents. Call Allison or Rachel in Resident Programs to find the perfect place for you to volunteer.
As we gather to celebrate Independence Day, take a moment to think about all we have come through together these past few years; and join with me in thanking our employees and workers for their tireless hours of service to you and Kirby Pines.
Michael Escamilla, Executive Director, Kirby Pines
A while ago my wife, Jerry, attended a women’s retreat led by a Roman Catholic nun, Sister Susan. A few days after returning from the retreat, Jerry received a letter from Sister Susan which concluded with this prayer, and suggesting that Jerry pray it daily: “Oh God, help me to believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is.”
What a prayer! Does it shock you? Most of would have problems praying it. Why? Our Christian faith warns about thinking too highly of ourselves than we ought to think.
Unfortunately, we have misunderstood that and taken it too far. The message of Christianity, the most affirming of all religions, has come through as self-denial. To be sure, there is a place for self-denial, but that must not be seen as self-depreciation or any form of devaluating self.
As the pinnacle of God’s creation, not proudly, but humbly we should have a high opinion of ourselves. This old story will put it in perspective. A French Prime Minister said to an eminent surgeon who was to operate on him, “You will not, of course, treat me in the same manner as you would your poor, miserable wretches in the hospital.” The surgeon replied, “Sir, every one of those poor, miserable wretches, as your Eminence is pleased to call them, is a prime minister in my eyes.”
In the eyes of God we are all creatures of potential greatness. Write the prayer down—memorize it. Pray it daily—it will change your life:
Oh God, help me to believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is.”
Describe your family: My family is close, loud, and wouldn’t want it any other way.
Describe yourself in five words: Caring, loving, friendly, energetic and understanding.
What do you do for fun: I love to be with my family and friends, shopping and dancing.
Do you have a pet: A poodle, his name is State.
Do you have any hobbies or interests: My idol is Selena Quintanilla, so anything to do with her.
What is your favorite thing about your job: Getting to help residents and putting a smile on their faces.
What is your favorite food: Any kind of Chicken or watermelon. Favorite song: BIDI BIDI BOM BOM by Selena Quintanilla.
What is something you are proud of:I am proud of myself and how far I’ve come in this life so far. Also my friends and family.
What would you like people to know about you:I am always available if anyone needs me for anything and I love to joke and laugh.
Channon brings a bright smile to Caring in Place every day! Her consistent positive attitude always boosts our spirits, when we need it most. Channon has always made herself available to assist us, in any way possible. Her commitment to Caring in Place and Kirby Pines is unwavering. We are fortunate to have Channon on our team!
– Victoria Snelling, Director of Personal Support Services
Kirby Pines, a sister community of The Farms at Bailey Station, is part of the family of LifeCare Communities of Retirement Companies of America. For more information, visit retirementcompanies.com
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