Fall Festival is back and better than ever! We’ll have a delicious meal in Westervelt Hall of BBQ baby back ribs and BBQ brisket, with baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, and apple pie for dessert. Then we’ll move outside (weather permitting) to the Community Life Center parking lot for a foot-stomping, relaxed outdoor concert of classic country music from Gypsy Twang. Gypsy Twang is Sarah Barker Huhn on lead vocals and guitar, Steve Huhn on upright bass, John Williams on vocals, guitar, harmonica, and Kurt Nielsen on mandolin.
For our party, they’ll be joined by Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest inductee Lee Roy Whisenhunt on steel guitar for a classic country sound. It will be a great evening to celebrate fall!
This month we are showing off the Nelda Westervelt Stage. Here are some fun facts about the stage and lighting in Westervelt Hall. • Named after John Westervelt’s wife Nelda • 50 colored stage lighting fixtures • 9 Standard colors on the Stage lighting fixtures that can be programed for multiple options • 12 spot light fixtures • Sound and lighting can be controlled from anywhere in the building via mobile app • Capability to connect 16 microphones and instruments on stage • Broadway production-style stage curtain • 380 square foot stage area • Fully retractable 4K projection system
Special Guests Senator Dave Rader and Representative Carol Bush
Thursday, October 14 at 2 p.m. in the Fleming Center
Our two legislators for our District will be here to bring an update on what’s going on in the state legislature and talk about issues that affect you. They will also answer your questions. Dave Rader has been our Senator since 2016. He has lived 47 of his 63 years within the boundaries of our District and attended the University of Tulsa, majoring in Mechanical Engineering while playing football as a quarterback. He presently serves as Chair to the Senate Republican Caucus, as well as Vice Chair to the Appropriations Committee and Select Committee on Redistricting. He sits on the Finance Committee, Public Safety Committee, Energy Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.
A native Tulsan, Carol graduated from Oral Roberts University and, prior to running for office, served a decade as executive director of the Tulsa Crime Prevention Network, the non-profit that put police and neighbors together to make us safe. Elected to the House in 2016, she serves on the following committees: Chair of Children, Youth and Family Services, A&B Health, Judiciary – Criminal, State and Federal Redistricting Tulsa County Subcommittee, Transportation.
Favorite Family Recipe: Pozole, Enchiladas, Tamales and Tacos!!
Favorite Sport to Watch: Figure Skating
Fun Fact: On June 13th, 2013, she became an American Citizen.
Favorite Verse: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6
Motivation: The community members are my family and I love making them smile, feel respected and loved.
What her supervisor says: “Alicia is a dedicated hardworking member of the Trinity Woods family who strives for perfection. She goes out of her way to ensure the satisfaction of the members and staff alike. Alicia is energetic while motivating and encouraging her fellow co-workers. She is very engaged and passionate about her work.” Dennis Graham, COO.
What exactly is Spiritual Wellness? Simply put, it’s about being connected to something greater than yourself. One of the amazing things about spiritual wellness is that the pursuit of it is unique for each person. Spiritual practices should support who you are and give you a framework for navigating each stage of life. Many people prefer to practice kindness and gratitude, while others exercise their creativity or are mindful about connecting with nature and others. And for many at Trinity Woods it includes faith and religious practices.
“Whether it’s organized religion or belief in a higher power that brings comfort, spiritual wellness fills an important role for many people that goes deeper than just attending worship services,” said Weldon Tisdale, Trinity Woods Chaplain. “It’s an opportunity to socialize, learn and grow, as well as gain comfort through some of life’s more difficult moments.”
For Trinity Woods, spirituality and wellness are woven deeply throughout the fabric of the community, connecting residents with a sense of “belonging.” The common ground and relationships fostered help heal broken hearts, soothe the mind, bring warmth and caring relationships, and even have an impact on individual health.
“Different stages of life bring different needs, and things we didn’t have time for while managing careers and family can become more important. Many times, we put off spiritual wellness, but it really is an important part of a healthy life,” said Weldon.
At Trinity Woods there is a strong focus every day for community members and employees to practice the seven dimensions of wellness. Putting spiritual practices into place now and making sure you have spiritual support will go a long way toward helping you age well in mind, body, and spirit.
The Chapel at Trinity Woods is a great place to meet those needs. It is located in the Fleming Center building between the administrative offices and Felt House entry. It is available for all to use.
There are regularly scheduled programs in the Chapel such as Bible studies, worship and memorial services, or it can be used for quiet reflection, meditation and prayer. We are fortunate to be in an environment where faith, wellness, and healing work hand in hand.
The Chapel is a non-denominational spiritual place where community members, patients, families, visitors, employees, and volunteers can find solitude and comfort in moments of stress or pain. Over the years, the Chapel has become an inclusive place where people, irrespective of their faith, have found a haven – a place where despair and hope are expressed and healing can begin.
Donated by Dr. Lawrence and Mildred Lacour, the Chapel was designed specifically to be an environment of comfort when people are grappling with issues that directly affect one’s health and well-being. In the process of coping with crises, guilt, loneliness, pain, anxiety, fear of death or fear of some other loss, the Chapel allows individuals to focus on spiritual strength and encouragement.
Are you grappling with life and all its intricate and sometimes painful details? Do you need a place where you can escape for a few moments to center your thoughts, refocus your mind or fi nd comfort in times of crisis?
The chapel at trinity woods is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We invite all to take a moment and quiet your Spirit in this serene atmosphere, where all are welcome to Belong. Believe. Become.
After lots of training, editing, and adjusting, the time is finally here! We are launching Viibrant this month to the Trinity Woods community. We have several training sessions scheduled throughout the month to get everyone acclimated to the new system. The training sessions will be separated for Apple users, Android users, and desktop users. There will be several community members at each Viibrant training session to help answer questions and guide you along the way.
What will I learnin the training session?
• View and make reservations on the monthly Wellness Calendar.
• Register for upcoming events, programs, and fitness classes.
• Communicate with other community members.
• Access photo directory of community members.
• Submit important forms – replacement badges or absence notification.
If you don’t own your own computer or tablet, you should still attend a training session. Come learn what Viibrant is all about and see how it can work for you! We are excited to share this Wellness Engagement Technology with you. Contact Jennifer Rawlings at jrawlings@trinitywoodstulsa.com or 918.346.6663 with any questions.
Crystal Creekmore, Human Resources Coordinator, is this month’s STARS Employee.
Start Date:February 2019
Born:Tulsa, Oklahoma
Raised:Mounds, Oklahoma
Education:Northeastern State University
First Job:Grocery Store Clerk
Wanted to be as a Kid:Scientist, to cure cancer
Favorite Thing about Trinity Woods:It is rewarding to work alongside people whose work
improves the quality of life for others.
What her supervisor says:
“Crystal was faced with the overwhelming responsibility of being the only person left to manage HR and payroll after her co-worker resigned and I was compelled to take extended medical leave. The absence of help left her doing the work of three people and ensuring that everyone in the organization was paid, all while managing all the other tasks assigned to HR. She never complained or felt sorry for herself; she simply rolled up her sleeves and took care of all 220 employees that work at Trinity Woods with grace and dignity.” Bill Peterson, VP of Human Resources.
As the mission of Trinity Woods expands, we feel compelled to explore what’s next for our community. For the past 15 years, the question “What’s next?” has been clear. As we enter the next chapter, we are evaluating several ideas and options. One topic that keeps rising to the top of every discussion is diversity and inclusion within the organization.
More and more organizations are learning that a strong business is one that includes people with diversity of gender, race, and cultural background. In this article, I am hoping to outline three ways Trinity Woods is advocating for more diversity and inclusion.
At the Board level. While there is gender diversity on the Board, there is not ethnic diversity. The Governance Committee is exploring ways to increase diversity by recruiting ethnic minorities to serve on the Board.
On the staff level. The need for eff ective training on cross-cultural communications and sensitivity as well as implicit bias is important. Hiring managers and leadership are undergoing training to deepen their understanding of the benefi ts of a more inclusive and diverse team.
At the community member level. As a ministry we are asking those we serve: “How could our community be more inclusive? Can we promote diversity in a way that would enrich our lives as well as the lives of others?”
A Task Force is exploring options for the development of the adjacent property owned by Trinity Woods. The purpose is to provide suggestions to the Board for how the property could be used. This includes considering how our mission can touch a more diverse demographic group.
In the months ahead I will report back on the next steps that our Board envisions. In the meantime, please join me in praying for Trinity Woods that we may fi nd new and innovative ways to grow and deepen our commitment to serve all people in the spirit of Christ.
It’s the equivalent of a student union for the senior set. There will be live theater, concerts, coffee dates, billiards games and more taking place in the new Community Life Center at Trinity Woods. The 14,000 square foot building boasts an auditorium with seating for 250, a stage, and state-of-the-art audio/visual technology. It also includes two meeting rooms, three conversation nooks and a game room with coffee and juice bar.
“This is the final piece of our multi-year plan to bring our community in line with our vision to redefine aging,” said Steve Dickie, Trinity Woods CEO.
Nearly 400 senior residents live on the 40-acre campus in Midtown Tulsa. This project signifies the completion of a major redevelopment plan. The $30.4 million investment includes not only the Community Life Center but a new assisted living building, two memory-care assisted living houses, a new main kitchen, the Cypress Grille restaurant and Tranquility Wellness Spa.
All of these facilities are designed to allow residents to embrace the International Council of Active Aging’s seven dimensions of wellness. These are physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, and vocational.
“We’re proud to be a life plan community offering residents a place to actively age whether they enjoy independent living or a higher level of care,” said Dickie. “This Community Life Center will be the hub of campus life and provide opportunities for everyone to be active and engaged.”
Oklahoma Methodist Manor first opened its doors in 1956 with a single building housing 25 seniors. Since then, the organization has been constantly redefining itself to meet the needs of those it serves. Today, it’s a 40-acre campus offering the full continuum of care to nearly 400 members through residential homes and apartments, traditional assisted living, memory care assisted living, rehabilitative therapy and long-term care nursing options.
“Over the past several years, we have been working to create a culture that redefines aging. The new, more contemporary name of Trinity Woods celebrates our organic evolution from nursing home to life plan community,” said Steve Dickie, Trinity Woods CEO.
The name change is the result of nearly two years of strategic planning including feedback from Trinity Woods community members, board members, employees, and Tulsa community leaders. The outcome of the process was the board’s unanimous decision to change the name from Oklahoma Methodist Manor to Trinity Woods.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Name Change
Why are you changing the name from Oklahoma Methodist Manor? While we will always hold dear our historical name of Oklahoma Methodist Manor, we want our name to accurately represent who we are today. • Oklahoma is an overly broad term for the area we serve. • Methodist often confuses people who believe we are open only to Methodists when, in fact, we welcome people of all faiths. • Manor is a dated term that does not effectively communicate the friendly neighborhood feel that exists here.
Is Trinity Woods under new ownership? No, we remain a separately incorporated not-for-profit, single-site, senior living community governed by an independent board. The board meets monthly and is responsible for upholding the mission and setting strategic direction for the organization. There is also a Community Member Council that includes elected representatives from the community. The Council advises senior staff on issues that affect the community.
What does Trinity Woods stand for? • Trinity acknowledges our faith-based heritage and the connection between mind, body and spirit as well as faith, hope and love. • Woods comes from our practice of using tree names for different campus locations. For example, Cypress Grille, Charter Oak Restaurant, Crestwood apartments, etc.
Why the tagline Belong. Believe. Become.? These traits are central to who we are as a community. Belong – The immediate welcome people feel as neighbors here. Believe in new possibilities. Become by moving here to live life to the fullest.
Why is Methodist no longer in the name? We are changing the name to eliminate confusion. Our community is not exclusive to Methodists. We welcome and cheerfully include all. We are an Equal Housing Opportunity organization.
Is the Methodist Church still part of Trinity Woods? Yes. This community was founded by United Methodists who believed the cause of serving elders was worthy of their best effort. We value our heritage as an organization founded by the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church. The desire to serve in the spirit of Christ is still the backbone of who we are today.
Gardening is a great way to stay fit and active in your golden years, and the best part? Reaping the tasty benefits of what you sow. And
with a few adjustments and modifications, gardening can be an easy and
enjoyable task for seniors.
Enjoying the
environment is one perk of digging in the dirt. Studies on home and community gardening point to even more
positives, including a reduced risk of dementia, and a happier life. Gardening
raises serotonin, a chemical in the brain that puts people in a good mood. It
also lowers stress-producing cortisol levels.
Tips on
Easy Gardening
As
we get older, not everyone is cut out for heavy digging, pulling weeds, and
lugging around hoses or large watering cans. A low-maintenance garden reduces
the amount of work and makes the garden more “senior-friendly.”
1. Mulched beds, paved pathways, lush groundcovers, and hardy shrubbery add elegance to the yard, and don’t require a lot of upkeep.
2. Set out chairs or benches under shady trees or on nearby patios to take a rest.
3.
Bright colors are always easy to spot. Paint gardening tool handles or wrap
them in colored tape to make them easy to find when dropped.
4.
Raised garden beds are easier to weed and harvest. Stack landscaping timber
edging
to reduce straining and bending — this is especially helpful if you have back
or joint pain.
5.
Design vertical gardens with trellises, bamboo stakes, arbors, and tomato cages
that encourage vines and other plants to grow upward. Growing upward instead of
to the side makes plants much easier to prune and harvest.
6.
Avoid hanging baskets. Sure, they’re pretty, but they need constant watering
and fertilizing. These containers can be hard to reach … except, of course,
when you bump into them.
7.
Plant flowers and vegetables in foamy containers that use lightweight soil
mediums. This reduces the weight of each container. Place the single pots on
casters, so you can move them around easily.
8.
Choose native flowers and shrubs that grow naturally in
Oklahoma. Coreopsis, salvia, and phlox are only a few brightly-colored blooms
that attract birds and butterflies. Oklahoma’s hot climate helps grasses thrive
— little bluestem and prairie dropseed do very well. Sumac is a hardy shrub
that sprouts colorful red flowers.
When
it comes to indoor greenery, the more the better, especially for those who
cannot get outside much.
Mini
gardens in pots on a windowsill are enjoyable, too. Indoor hydroponic gardens use water and liquid
fertilizer to grow herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Hydroponic
systems come in various sizes, small enough for tabletops and large enough for
the corner of any size room. All you have to do is a little pinching and
pruning to keep these plants growing nicely until their stages are complete.
Get to
Gardening!
You
will definitely stay active with all the bending, squatting, stretching, and
weed pulling it takes to maintain a flower or veggie patch. But the best tip to
make it easy? Choose the plants that make you happy.
Amelia Hoffbauer has been growing her
own fruits and vegetables for more than 60 years, and at 84, she shows no signs
of slowing down. Her real passion is for her prize rose bushes which have won
her six blue ribbons at her county fair.
Most of us have at least gotten used to wearing a face covering during the pandemic, but what we have not gotten used to is trying to understand what people are saying under that face covering. Until this new face covering requirement, I never knew how much I depended on reading lips and watching people’s facial expressions. Now I find myself turning toward to a conversation just to hear better. This pandemic has brought about all kinds of adjustments and adaptations to life and now communication is at the top of that list. As if communication was not already on this list of difficult things!
According to a survey from the Hearing Health Foundation, 87 percent of respondents were experiencing communication problems from face masks, so you are not alone when dealing with this frustration. So how can we adapt and try to eliminate some of the frustration that we have all felt while staying safe?
The best tip of all is
to remember to be patient, kind and courteous. These three factors are key to
all our success! If we are patient, kind and courteous we will all get through this
together and be better communicators in the long run!
Tips and Resources
pulled from UPMC Health Beat.
UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY. Check your smart phone for apps or applications like voice to text or hearing aid compatibility. Also, when you go to church or attend a concert or gathering, ask the venue if they have hearing aid assistive devices available.
BE PREPARED. When you are going to group meetings, concerts, or dinner make sure your hearing aid batteries are new or carry a backup.
TAKE NOTES. If you are only catching every other word, it might help to write them down so you can go back and try to connect the dots.
SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY. Do not exaggerate or overemphasize your words.
DO NOT SHOUT. Speaking louder does not always mean speaking clearly. When you shout it can make it harder to understand what you are trying to say.
THINK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. Try to avoid locations with a lot of background noise when having conversations. If this is not possible utilize some of the tips above.
IT’S OK TO REPEAT YOURSELF. Do not be embarrassed if you need to repeat yourself or if you need to ask someone to repeat themselves. We are all in the same boat!
For more information
visit: https://share.upmc.com/2020/06/hearing-loss-facemasks/
The October STARS Employee of the Month is Beverly Bufford a CNA in Cobb Landing. Beverly is a caregiver in the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Household. She originally started at OMM in 2014, took a short break and has been back since March of 2020.
“I
truly love working with the elders in Cobb,” said Beverly. She was born in
Tulsa but grew up and attended school in Chicago, IL. She met her husband in
high school and they have been married 20 years. They have seven children, four
girls and three boys. Her favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because she loves to
cook and spend time with her family.
What her supervisor says, “Beverly is such kind soul. She is one of the trainers on Cobb Landing for new employees and is always so thorough and patient with everyone through their learning experience,” said Julie Akers, Household Manager in Cobb Landing.
Life has recently brought us a lot of change, from isolation, to wearing face coverings, loss of being able to connect face to face with loved ones and just figuring out the “new normal.” We have all had to find that silver lining in some aspect of our life over the last couple of months. More than likely we have all experienced some sort
of loss or change and with that usually comes grief. Grief is triggered when we
lose something that is important to us. Perhaps the most traumatic is when
someone we love dies. However, grief can also occur when dealing with a
pandemic or the loss of an in-person relationship, financial stability,
disappointments, your home, a pet, or a personal belonging. Grief has the
capacity to make us bitter or better. It all depends on the choices we make on
our journey.
Unfortunately, few of
us have been taught how to practice good grief. Grief is normal and, in fact,
necessary to healing the deep, painful wounds caused by loss. Change in your
life delivers several different physical and emotional symptoms. The way you
feel and the actions you take during this journey are unique to everyone. With
that in mind, we have engaged Dr. David Willets, a former pastor and certified
grief counselor, to speak about the practical application of healing grief and finding
your silver lining.
Dr. Willets has real-time experience on the topic of grief. He has served in local church ministry for more than 45 years. He has educational training in pastoral care and counseling. In 2004, David’s wife of 27 years and 18-year-old daughter were killed in an automobile wreck. Through this painful experience, along with his training, Dr. Willets brings sound psychological, spiritual, and applicable expertise to those on the journey of grief.
Have you experienced
loss from the pandemic? Have you experienced the loss of a loved one? Have you
had changes in your life that have been painful? Have you recently downsized or
moved? Then this session is for YOU!
Friday, September 18 at
1 p.m. Fleming Center
For more information about Dr. Willets you can visit his website at https://www.silverlining.ws/
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