Tuesday's Statewide Tornado Drill Postponed

Due to a questionable forecast this afternoon, the statewide tornado drill scheduled for 1:30 p.m. TODAY has been POSTPONED until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 17.
Prior to the drill, as a reminder, please review safety procedures in the Resident Handbook on pages 52-54, so that you are aware of where the nearest severe weather assembly area is.

Become a Village Hospice Volunteer

Village Hospice Volunteer Orientation & Training

Village Hospice volunteers make a difference in the lives of patients and their families every day.

You may be surprised at some to the ways you can help. As they comfort and support patients and their families, volunteers describe their experience as rewarding and humbling.

Come to our training event:

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 21
Room 155 in the Villager Inn

John Knox Village1001 NW Chipman Rd.Lee’s Summit, MO 64081REGISTER BY: Tuesday, March 15



We have a lot of different ways that you can help.

• Offering friendship and companionship through personal visits and phone calls
• Assisting with special events
• Picking up groceries or running personal errands
• Staying by a patient’s side to give caregivers needed breaks
• Creating quilts, crocheting or knitting warm hats or blankets
• Supporting patients and families in the final hours

LEARN ABOUT VILLAGE HOSPICE
REGISTER BY Tuesday, March 15
There is no charge. Lunch provided.  CALL 816.347.2578 or send an e-mail.

VETERAN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you are a veteran who would like to help other veterans, there is a special need for your services.

Easter Menu at Places Restaurant

Join us for the Easter buffet at Places Restaurant

Sunday March 27

Adults $17.95 Children $10.95

Action Station:

Roast Beef, Ham, Leg of Lamb with Mint Sauce

Buffet:

Tortilla Crusted Tilapia, Chicken Florentine, Steamed Mussels

Candied Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Steamed Fresh Vegetables, Green Beans Almondine

Rolls and Butter

Assorted Salads and Assorted Desserts

Please call ahead for parties of 5 or more. Places Restaurant - 347-2308

Successful Living Seminar on March 15 Features Benefits of Music

Successful Living Seminar

Health Benefits of Music

10:15 a.m.

Tuesday, March 15

CCMPA

Music plays an important role in our lives and can bring back wonderful memories. Join Rebecca Hubbard, performing arts specialist, as she shares the many health benefits of music, including emotional, physical, mental and social.
The program is free. For more information call the Fitness Center at 347-2187.

Final Session: March 10 - Understanding Alzheimer's Disease: Family seminar series

9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 10 in the John Knox Village Ambassador Room. 

Join us for this final session of our six-week family-focused seminar series, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association.

THIS WEEK - March 10: Part 6 - "I should..." "I ought to..." "I have to..." A video and discussion of the guilt that typically goes along with the role of the caregiver. Hosted by Village Hospice. [Learn more.] 

The Ambassador Room is located at 500 N.W. Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081.

Saturday Night Movie Schedule Update

Due to the Oscars delaying the movie releases, the Saturday Night Movies have changed in March.

March 12 - "Spotlight" (R, drama, thriller) This critically acclaimed film chronicles the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered a decades-long cover-up of child abuse within the local Catholic Archdiocese.

March 19 - "Room" - (R, drama) Both highly suspenseful and deeply emotion, "Room" is a unique and unexpectedly tender exploration of the boundless love between a mother and her child. After 5-year-old Jack and his Ma escape from the enclosed surroundings that jack has known his entire life, the boy makes a thrilling discovery: the outside world.

March 26 - "The Big Short" - (R, biography) Four denizens of the world of high finance predict the credit and hosing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s and decide to take on the big banks for their greed and lack of foresight.

March Resident Council General Meeting minutes

Resident Council General Meeting

Minutes for March 7, 2016

The March 7 meeting of the John Knox Village Resident Council was opened by President Jim Ham at 2 p.m. in the Courtyard Commons. Two first-time attendees were introduced and welcomed. Robin Hudson lives at 628 Joy Place, and Roy Hatfield lives in 310 Villager East.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Resident Services Committee: Chair Martha Wood reported on the February meeting. Maria Timberlake, vice president of senor living, and Melissa Seid, area manager, were the speakers. Maria gave an update on construction. The new Courtyard Commons has experienced delays due to moisture and temperature.

Villa II will come down next week, the elevator will be in place the end of February and Manor II will be ready for demolition 45 days later. Thirty sweet gum trees have been taken down as the pods created safety hazards and new trees will be planted as weather permits. Maria presented additional Holleran survey results. The first of these was overall satisfaction with John Knox Village. The “Excellent” responses were up from 2011 and 2013 and the “Good” were similar to previous surveys. In the “Value for Price Paid” category, both “Excellent” and “Good” ratings were high enough to be named statistically significant. In the “Confidence in John Knox Village’s Future” category, “Excellent” and “Good” were also statistically significantly favorable. In “John Knox Village’s Fulfillment of its Mission” the “Good” answers outranked “Excellent” and when asked “Would you recommend John Knox Village to a friend or relative”, the results were very high in spite of inconveniences caused by all the construction. Maria asked the committee for suggestions for how the administration and department managers could be more accessible and responsive to the residents. Discussion followed about how the responsibilities of the John Knox Village Board and the John Knox Village administration differ. This included suggestions of ways to inform residents about each. The survey showed a statistically significant positive response when asked about opportunities for resident input. Maria made it clear that she welcomes suggestions from residents if they have ideas concerning the accessibility of the staff. The next meeting is March 14.

Finance Committee: Chair Gerry Wachsmann reported on the last meeting, at which Melinda Ward from Village Helpers presented an overview of the services provided by Village Helpers. Vice President of Finance, Kim Klockenga presented the January financial report. Deposits and lease move-ins and entrance fees were below budget. Independent Living occupancy at the end of January was 735; Village Assisted Living was 177 (5 above budget); Village Care Center was 271. Although revenue was below budget, expenses were also below budget. The next meeting of the Committee will be March 30.

Health Services: (As reported by Chair Helen Darby at the Resident Council Executive Committee meeting, February 26, 2016). At the February meeting of the Health Services Committee, the speaker was David Mercier, administrator of the Village Care Center. David presented the results of the Village Care Center response to the recent resident satisfaction survey. David reminded us that nationally there is a nursing shortage necessitating a higher usage of agency staff than during the previous year. David stated the survey showed that eight out of 10 respondents were satisfied with the care received resulting in a 79.4 percent satisfaction score. David noted that there was an overall increase in the “Excellent rating” category. 78.4 percent of respondents stated they would recommend the Village Care Center to friends and relatives and 79.6 percent said they would use the VCC again. High scores were also noted in the following categories: Friendliness and courtesy, and access to physicians. This past fiscal year, the VCC increased their budget in order to pay higher wages for CNA staff and provide on- site CNA classes and courses for clinical advancement. One year ago there were 60 open clinical positions, now there are less than 10. Leadership training is in place for RNs and LPNs and a new position, of an “On-Boarding Manager” is helping with consistent orientation of new VCC clinical staff, which provides needed consistency in care delivery. A new patient orientation program has been developed including explanations of transitions of care and financial responsibility. There is on-going development of a new admission package specific to each unit. Rodney McBride, vice president of community health services, reported that the VCC participated with a survey of a “secret shopper”. A surveyor from Greystone provided a surveyor familiar with VCC operations to go throughout the different units and make observations. This surveyor’s report indicated staff was not always doing a good job of greeting visitors or making eye contact when someone comes on to a unit, however; the surveyor did note that staff appeared to be enjoying their patients, participating with them and providing good service. Rodney also let us know that Village Assisted Living completed their state survey in January and received zero deficiencies. A note of congratulations will be sent to Heather Scott on behalf of the committee. Village Assisted Living will have all electronic medical records by the end of February. The next meeting will be on March 9 and the topic will be VCC food service.

Sales, Marketing and Communications Committee: In the absence of Chair Margie Stowell, Oralee Oleson reported on the February meeting. Marybeth Roberts, director of sales, marketing and communications, introduced a guest, Ashley Alpert, with advertising partner GlynnDevins, who shared information about a book entitled “Read This When I'm Dead.” It was felt the book had valuable information, but was not appropriate as a marketing tool. Karen Burec, manager of marketing and communications, and Stephanie Zeilstra, from the Village Voice, presented the results of the resident satisfaction survey in the form of the TV show “Family Feud.” All areas of communication (Village Voice, Village Voice Mid-Month, JKtV, and Village Voice Online) scored above 80 percent, but there is still room for improvement. Marybeth presented the sales statistics through January. The next meeting will be March 17.

Nominating Committee: Chair June Dewsberry asked the current three Resident Board members to stand and be recognized and thanked for their service. The current members are Wanda Chinnery, Jerry McElhiney, and Carol Evans. Carol's first three-year term will conclude in May and that position will be vacant. Candidates for the position were solicited and one resume was received for the Resident Board member position – that from Carol Evans. Carol was asked to come forward and say a few words. President Jim Ham then asked all Neighborhood Representatives to stand, and approve Carol by acclamation. Carol's resume will now be forwarded to the Board Development Committee, and she will be interviewed at their discretion. The final selection is the responsibility of the Board Development Committee.

Program:

Our speakers were Heather Scott, administrator of Village Assisted Living, which includes Residential Care, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Tami Hoversten, assistant administrator of the VCC. Heather was applauded for the recent deficiency free report from state inspectors. Both Heather and Tami gave the results of the Holleran survey for their respective areas. In the assisted living facilities, Heather indicated the survey was done mostly by telephone. Three areas were then focused on for action. First, orientation for new residents and the admitting process were addressed. Secondly, the staffing challenge brought about a number of changes. And finally, activities were enhanced by connecting with local schools and arranging activities to include families of residents once each month. Tami spoke about staffing challenges at the VCC. Overall satisfaction with the unit was at almost 80 percent. Special strengths that were mentioned were friendliness and courtesy of staff, accommodation of special dietary requirements, laundry, and the ability of residents to have input in decisions. Actions taken focused on orientation, availability of Medical Director., care plans and staffing. Increases in salaries for CNA's, special classes, and an on-boarding position (hand holding for new hires) have all helped in filling many positions. Tami concluded by answering a number of questions from residents. Director of Public Safety, Craig Faith, gave a presentation on severe weather preparedness and tornado drills. His comments focused on “How to Plan for an Emergency”, “What to do During an Emergency”, “Severe Weather Procedures”, and “What to do After an Emergency”. March 13-19 is Severe Weather Awareness Week, and there will be a statewide tornado drill on March 15. This will take place at 1:30 p.m. when alarms will sound. For complete information on all the above subjects, please refer to your Resident Handbook – pages 52-54. You may also contact Craig for written instruction on the subjects he covered. Craig reminded us of the “No Solicitation” policy at the Village. This includes political canvassing. Also, watch out for scams. Craig encourages us to be sure to vote in the March primary, and the April 5 election. The Village is known for our high voting percentages.

The next General Meeting will be on Monday, April 4. The program will be given by John Knox Village Resident Board member, Carol Evans. Carol will explain duties of the Board of Directors.

Respectfully submitted,

June Dewsberry, Secretary, Resident Council