11/12/2025
An Open Letter to Residents, Families, and Friends of Prairie Sunset Home
Current as of: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Yesterday, we celebrated Veteran’s Day in partnership with Gentiva Hospice as we acknowledged and thanked the three (3) residents who have served in our armed forces. Gentiva thanked and awarded each veteran a nice certificate, poppy and lapel pin for their service. We then had the school come out to honor and provide small gift to each Veteran. Traditions Hospice came this morning to honor them all as well. We have fewer vets currently living/working here than in years past. They include:
· Sp4 Tom Grilliot, US Army. In 1958, Tom attended basic training at Ft. Carson, CO. He was trained as an electronic repair specialist in a NIKE guided missile unit. He spent time in Hanford, Washington, Travis Air Force Base, California, and spent eleven (11) months stationed in Greenland. Honorably discharged in 1961.
· SGT Larry Justice, US Marine Corps/Air Force Reserve/Army Reserve. In 1962, Larry entered Marine Corps basic training in San Diego. In his 23 years of service, he was an armorer/rifle & pistol instructor stationed at Camp Pendelton, Okinawa, Philippines and served three (3) tours in Viet Nam He was awarded two (2) Purple Hearts.
· Greg Lemen entered US Army basic training at Ft. Ord, California, 1975. He was a truck driver and served in Vietnam.
· PVT Holly Henning, US Army, entered basic training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, as was to be trained as an 88M-Truck driver.
· COL Aaron Kelley, US Army & Kansas Army National Guard. 1971-2001. Commanded: A/1-137th Mechanized Infantry Company; 2-130th Field Artillery Battalion; 35th Infantry Division Artillery; and 235th Regiment/KS Regional Training Institute.
Carpet installers from F & A Flooring have completed their work replacing the SNF hallways and common area carpeting. It gives us a clean and more modern look. The hallways seem wider and brighter. The installers were very considerate and courteous which we appreciated.
The Courtyard renovation has begun. They are tearing up the old courtyard and removing everything except the gazebo. When completed, it is going to be much more functional for outdoor activities and easier to maintain. Several residents made note on the recently completed “Satisfaction Surveys,” that we need to offer a few more, new, and different activity in our monthly programming. We are already thinking about how to use the new Courtyard space.
Most of our friends know, we are rated as a 5-Star facility by CMS, but we continue to ask PSH residents and their families and/or legal representatives, volunteers and other interested friends, to provide recommendations and ideas that will help us to grow, evolve, and improve in every aspect of our operation. As a reminder, please continue to self-screen yourself at our Kiosk when you enter to visit. Screening at the Kiosk helps us with our required weekly report to the CDC related to any communicable diseases and/or vaccinations. Type in your name/phone number; who you are here to see; line your face up on the screen as your temperature is automatically taken—you are IN. The 2026 Medicare enrollment period is now open. Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their health and prescription drug plans for 2026. Medicare expects over 55% of the Medicare eligible beneficiaries to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. MA plans generally cost less per month, but have serious loopholes related to coverage. Congress continues to investigate complaints regarding the Medicare Advantage plans. Insurance executives try to explain why the Medicare Advantage plan rates of denial have increased so much in the last few years. Complaints about delays in getting approval for treatment are routine. The sad fact is most plans require “prior approval” before medical treatment or coverage will be allowed. Caveat emptor—Let the buyer beware!
If you are not already a Prairie Sunset Home, Incorporated, stockholder, consider becoming one. Stockholders may purchase shares, from 1-10 shares, at $25.00 per share. We currently have 274 stockholders of record. Contact Evelyn Colvard, (Board Secretary), Gayle or me for more information and to pick up a PSH stockholder application. Next week, the PSH 2026 Budget (Draft) will be presented to the board for consideration. We already know we got a 2.8% bump in our Medicare rates and that every year Medicaid DOES NOT fully cover the ongoing costs of care. As we approach the end of the year, please consider a charitable, tax deductible, donation to PSH. Community support for this campus, and by extension active stockholders, are what will keep Prairie Sunset Home viable into the future and help make it a great place to live and work.
As a reminder, if you are aware of someone who is dissatisfied or fed-up with the poor quality of medical care, unresponsive service, food choices, or policies at their current nursing home or are considering a move into an adult care home very soon, either assisted living or skilled nursing, please encourage them to call (620-459-6822) or visit us. Without a consistent revenue stream, it becomes more difficult to provide the superior service and medical care you expect. Today three (3) skilled nursing beds is ready for occupancy. A couple of ALF units are available. The cottages are all occupied.
Thank you again for your referrals and continued support. For more information about PSH happenings, go to our FACEBOOK page. Keep looking in on our scheduled activities this fall. More information to follow. Your referrals are important to us and the finest compliment we can be paid! Working together, we make Prairie Sunset Home a great place to live and work!
Aaron D. Kelley Jr., Administrator
Pic #1—Veteran's Day program to honor: SGT (ret) Larry Justice, USMC/AirForce; Sp4 Tom Grilliot, US ARMY (seated); COL (ret) Aaron Kelley, US Army/KSARNG.
Pic #2—Students from Pretty Prairie Middle School Student Council here to thank PSH vets for their service. (L-R) COL Aaron Kelley; Sp4 Tom Grilliot; SGT Larry Justice; (not pictured: PVT Holly Henning; PFC Greg Lemen).
Pic #3—Wednesday, 11-12-25.Traditions Hospice Honors PSH veterans. (l-R) Teresa Brooks, Traditions Regional Sales Director; COL Aaron Kelley; Sp4 Tom Grilliot; SGT Larry Justice; PFC Greg Lemen; PVT Holly Henning.