http://www.prairiesunsethome.org/

Prairie Sunset Home, 601 E Main Street, Pretty Prairie, KS (2025)

08/20/2025

An Open Letter to Residents, Families, and Friends of Prairie Sunset Home

Current as of: Wednesday, August 20, 2025

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.

This week, we shine the “Employee Spotlight” on Vicki Michels, Activity Director—Music Therapist. Vicki has been a Music Therapist for over twenty years having graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Music education w/emphasis in Music Therapy. She has worked at PSH for over eight (8) years. The therapeutic value of music has only recently been used as an effective intervention and tool to help manage pain. The abuse of opioids over the past 5-10 years has led to government efforts to curtail use of almost all medications which effect the brain. Now we must attempt non-pharmacological interventions including: heat and/or cold packs, massage, prayer, art therapy, horticulture, relaxation, baths, exercise, aroma therapy as well as therapeutic music.

The development of a well-rounded activity/life enrichment program is one of the most important things we can do for the residents. It is a huge challenge to program meaningful, age appropriate, interesting and enjoyable activities that builds upon resident strengths. Programs should include: individualized/self-directed activities; large and small group settings; spiritual; educational; social; psychosocial, physical strength, flexibility, balance; indoor/outdoor; seasonal/holiday/special occasion decorations, and community connections. Vicki is at her best when leading/executing time-tested activities that have been built into the monthly entertainment calendars. She has become more comfortable participating in and supporting the many spontaneous situations that suddenly pop up and are used as additional life-enrichment events.

When asked about her “Career in Aging,” Vicki opined, “I enjoy the opportunity to meet and get acquainted with residents and their families. The relationships that develop—whether it is getting to know the resident or staff, we become a family.” Vicki has a wealth of experience that she willingly shares with less experience team members. Whether she is interacting with a resident who is not feeling well or one that is tired this morning, she always takes a moment to offer a warm greeting, becomes an empathic listener and extends an invitation and encouragement to join the planned activities this morning. Vicki’s experience, compassion and musical talent helps to contribute to each residents’ wellness, their satisfaction and brings great credit to herself and personifies excellence at Prairie Sunset Home.

Last Friday, we finished our summer youth volunteer program with a “Back to School Bash.” This was the fifth year we have hosted/sponsored this multi-generational program. We have had upwards of a dozen “Youth Volunteers” participating this summer. The youngsters bring excitement and vitality to the exercise and activity programs. They have assisted with delivery of meals, hydration and snacks. They have learned skills and human interactions that will carry them forward in life. The little girls learned to give manicures and paint fingernails. Each of them learned how to get a “grouchy” grandpa or grandma to come out to the party or participate in the fitness game or sing-along.

We continue to our plans for the annual activity department “Farmer’s Market” on Friday, September 19. In the past friends, families and volunteers have stepped up with donations of everything imaginable, to make this such a fun and exciting day. If you can help make this event a smashing success again this year, please contact Ashley or Kayte. I suspect almost everyone

has a variety of seldom used, seasonal decorations and other miscellaneous items that could be contributed to the event.

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 or medical care you expect. Today all skilled nursing beds are full and only one room available in the ALF. We expect to have one cottage available for occupancy very soon.

As a reminder, PSH is once again rated by CMS as a 5-STAR facility! Thank you again for your referrals and continued support. For more information about PSH happenings, go to our FACEBOOK page. Working together, we make Prairie Sunset Home a great place to live and work!

Aaron D. Kelley Jr.

Administrator

08/16/2025

We all had a blast doing tie-dye with our friends from Gentiva Hospice earlier this week.

08/15/2025

Tornado Sno came for a visit recently. Thanks for the sweet treat Rivercross Healthcare!! Great way to cool off on a hot day.

08/13/2025

An Open Letter to Residents, Families, and Friends of Prairie Sunset Home

Current as of: Wednesday, August 13, 2025

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.

This week, we shine the “Careers in Aging” Employee Spotlight on Jeremy Mohs, one of our most experienced CMAs. Jeremy has been a CNA since 2002 and became a medication aide (CMA) five (5) years later. He is primarily assigned as the full-time CMA on the evening shift. Jeremy has a wealth of experience that he willingly shares with less experience team members. Whether he is interacting with a tired and disagreeable resident or ensuring that all team members can properly respond to a tornado warning, Jeremy can effectively and confidently handle the situation. When asked why he has remained in the adult care home business, he said, “I like helping people. It is about compassion—guys can help, too. I like it when I can share a lesson learned with a new employee so they don’t learn the hard way.” Jeremy’s willingness to be a teacher/mentor for new and/or less experienced CNAs, helps to contribute to each residents’ wellness, customer satisfaction and brings great credit to himself, the healthcare team and personifies excellence at Prairie Sunset Home.

Last month, CMS updated the medicarecarecompare website with our most recent inspection results which raised our rating to a 5-STAR facility! A stable, well trained and compassionate staff/team is a precursor to quality. Adequate pay, benefits, awards and recognition are important if we are to retain this, our most valuable, resource! To that end, the board of directors approved a motion that uses a significant percentage of our July 1 Medicaid rate increase to improve staff wages. We are tying these wage increases to our periodic/annual employee performance appraisals. All staff members received a “Self-Evaluation” form and were asked rate/evaluate themselves and explain significant accomplishments and perceived strengths. Our performance appraisals use ten (10) important factors related to human resource value, including: 1) Customer Service; 2) Teamwork and Cooperation; 3) Attendance and Punctuality; 4) Dependability; 5) Judgment in Work Performance; 6) Leadership; 7) Work Quality; 8) Initiative in Completing Tasks; 9) Safety Awareness and Enforcement; 10) Work Quality. In reality, if the employee uses the opportunity to submit a thoughtful “Self-Evaluation” to the Boss, they are helping to write their own appraisal. Employee pay increases are tied to the performance appraisal. “If you expect to get your fair share of the money, then tell the story to us about your unique skills, what you are especially good at, and what you continue to do that is noteworthy!” Except for a couple of stragglers, we hope to have this entire process done by August 15!!

Some of you have seen it on our FACEBOOK that we are ramping up plans for our annual activity department “Farmer’s Market” on Friday, September 19. In the past friends, families and volunteers have stepped up with donations of everything imaginable, to make this such a fun and exciting day. If you can help make this event a smashing success again this year, please contact Ashley or Kayte. I suspect almost everyone has a variety of seldom used, seasonal decorations and other miscellaneous items that could becontributed to the event.

I am delighted to report that we routinely get inquiries about needing skilled nursing care. 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. If you know someone who is facing this decision, contact us now! Without a consistent revenue stream, it becomes more difficult to

provide the superior service or medical care you expect. Today we have one room available for occupancy in skilled nursing and two in the ALF. We expect to have one cottage available for occupancy very soon.

As a reminder, PSH is once again rated by CMS as a 5-STAR facility! Thank you again for your referrals and continued support. For more information about PSH happenings, go to our FACEBOOK page. Working together, we make Prairie Sunset Home a great place to live and work!

Aaron D. Kelley Jr.

Administrator

08/11/2025

An Open Letter to Residents, Families, and Friends of Prairie Sunset Home

Current as of: Wednesday, August 6, 2025

The number of measles cases has stabilized in Kansas counties. Nevertheless, please continue to self-screen yourself at our Kiosk when you enter to visit. 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.

This week, we shine the “Careers in Aging” Employee Spotlight on Daniel Smith, one of our best cooks in the Food & Nutrition department. Daniel returned to PSH last January after a short stint in a Kingman hamburger joint as a fry cook. Daniel is primarily assigned as the full-time morning cook with responsibility to prepare both breakfast and the noon meal. Periodically, he steps back to be the “Grill Cook.” Fortunately for everyone associated with PSH, Dan can be counted on to cover any position when the need arises. He has a calm demeanor especially when something unexpected pops up as a potential problem. His willingness to prepare someone’s special request is exemplary. He personally evaluates each meal and recipe to see how it might be improved. When asked what he enjoys the most about cooking in a senior living community, Daniel said,” it makes my day when I can prepare something special--to help make a resident’s day a little better. I like to improvise!”

The importance of a great Food & Nutrition team is critical to the success of any adult care home. Obviously, you must have adequate culinary skills and solid food handling/food safety procedures that are properly enforced every day for every meal. Our “Anytime Menu” and grill service is a big hit with residents, staff and visitors alike. We almost never have a situation in which a resident is unexpectedly losing weight. Daniel Smith plays a pivotal role in the clinical picture. For most residents, mealtime is the best part of the day. We often see dramatic improvement in new residents who move in. In many cases it is primarily do to eating a tasty balance meal, three times a day along with snacks and hydration. Like magic, the person starts to gain weight! Daniel Smith’s attention to detail helps to contribute to overall wellness, customer satisfaction and brings great credit to himself, the healthcare team and personifies excellence at Prairie Sunset Home.

I am delighted to report that Brandy Dillon, who is consistently rated as one of our top, most effective, CMAs, successfully completed the Practical Nursing program at Hutch Community College and passed the KS Board of Nursing LPN licensing exam. We have already begun training Brandy for new LPN responsibilities. You can expect to see Tonya Miller, RN, training Brandy related to new resident admissions—SNF or ALF; Nicky Goering, RN, our Infection Preventionist will be coaching Brandy related to unique IP procedures and wound care; Amy Giefer, RN, will be coaching Brandy related to the duties of a Charge Nurse and make rounds with Dr. Bryant, MD on Thursdays. Everyone associated with PSH is celebrating Brandy’s accomplishment and will be helping her become a superior LPN Charge Nurse. If you get a chance, offer your congrats to Brandy!

Some of you have seen it on our FACEBOOK that we are ramping up plans for our annual activity department “Farmer’s Market” on Friday, September 19. In the past friends, families and volunteers have stepped up with donations of everything imaginable, to make this such a fun and exciting day. Ashley and Holly made the periodic pilgrimage to the United Way warehouse in Wichita to “shop” for “Farmer’s Market” treasures. If you can help make this event a smashing success again this year, please contact Ashley or Kayte. Last weekend when I was sitting in my living room watching TV, Linda, my wife, was on our FACEBOOK. She asked, “what is this ‘Farmer’s Market’?” I briefly explained. I suspect she has a variety of seldom used, seasonal decorations to contribute to the event.

I am delighted to report that we routinely get inquiries about needing skilled nursing care. 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. If you know someone who is facing this decision, contact us now! Without a consistent revenue stream, it becomes more difficult to provide the superior service or medical care you expect. Today we have one room available for occupancy in skilled nursing and two in the ALF. We expect to have one cottage available for occupancy very soon.

As a reminder, PSH is once again rated by CMS as a 5-STAR facility! Thank you again for your referrals and continued support. For more information about PSH happenings, go to our FACEBOOK page. Working together, we make Prairie Sunset Home a great place to live and work!

Aaron D. Kelley Jr.

Administrator

07/31/2025

Hello Everyone! We are gearing up for our 6th annual farmers market on Sept 19th at 10am. In previous years we have had home made baked goods, knick-knacks, hand made crafts, decor items, clothing, jewelry, and hygiene items like soap, shampoo, lotions, hair clips donated for our residents to shop and enjoy. If you have any items you are interested in donating please call Ashley or Kayte at 620-459-6822 so we can plan. Thank you to everyone in our awesome community for always stepping up to help our activities be so amazing!

07/30/2025

An Open Letter to Residents, Families, and Friends of Prairie Sunset Home

Current as of: Wednesday, July 30, 2025

I appreciated the nice article Nancy wrote about me following the interview several weeks ago. Out of an abundance of caution on our part, please continue to self-screen yourself at our Kiosk when you enter to visit. We keep hoping the measles will subside as will the various COVID-19 variants. 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.

CMS should load another update onto their MedicareCareCompare website Thursday. Last month, you may recall that after they updated the site with our most recent inspection results, PSH is once again rated as a 5-STAR facility in Kansas and the nation! We expect to REMAIN a 5-STAR facility after the update! Except for the oppressive heat and replacement of several room air conditioners in addition to the big HVAC that serviced the nurse’s station and living room, this has been a really good week. For the first time this year, we only have one empty room in the skilled nursing unit and one vacancy in assisted living. All the extra training we had been offering to the staff has made a big difference in our effectiveness and efficiency in providing high-quality services to all our customers.

In spite of the doom and gloom about the economy, the Medicare and Medicaid cuts as reported by some experts, we got a nice bump in our daily Medicaid rate on July 1st. Importantly, we routinely spend about 54-58% of our revenue on labor and employee benefits. At our monthly meeting last week, the board of directors approved a motion that uses a significant percentage of the Medicaid rate increase for wage increases to the staff. Typically, we like to get all our periodic/annual employee performance appraisals done at one time—generally after we know what to expect from Medicaid, our largest revenue stream! All staff members received their “Self-Evaluation” form with their most recent paycheck. Every year we ask each staff member to rate themselves and explain significant accomplishments during the rating period using ten (10) factors important to being/remaining a valuable resource to the company, including: 1) Customer Service; 2) Teamwork and Cooperation; 3) Attendance and Punctuality; 4) Dependability; 5) Judgment in Work Performance; 6) Leadership; 7) Work Quality; 8) Initiative in Completing Tasks; 9) Safety Awareness and Enforcement; 10) Work Quality.

The sad fact is that most employees and supervisors alike dread the evaluation process. In reality, if that the employee uses the opportunity to submit a thoughtful “Self-Evaluation” to the Boss, they are helping to write their own appraisal. Employee pay increases are tied to the performance appraisal. “If you expect to get your fair share of the money, then tell the story to us about your unique skills, what you are especially good at, and what you continue to do that is noteworthy!” We hope to have this entire process done by August 15. I will be hectic!!

After my 4-week interruption and hiatus from our weekly update, we are back following all the activities during Rodeo Week. This week, we shine the “Prairie Sunset Home Spotlight” on Kayte Patterson, social services designee and CMA. She has spent almost all her adult life working in a nursing home. Kayte was certified as a nurse aide (CNA) in March 2002, and became a CMA a couple of years later. Kayte has been employed at PSH for over 11 years. When asked about a “Career in Aging,” Kayte immediately said, “I love helping residents and families get through one of the scariest times of their life. I help them get Medicaid approval and other legal affairs straightened out when necessary.”

Kayte was selected to be the SSD nine (9) years ago. Kayte emerged as our top pick during interviews to replace Jenny Harbaugh, LBSW social worker. Because we knew how important the SSD position would become, Jenny, Evelyn Colvard, RN, and I held a group interview with three (3) of our very best CMAs who were interested in the job. From that

moment, Kayte has exceeded all expectations. In addition to evolving into a magnificent SSD who can adroitly address family and resident concerns, complaints as well as offer useful advice, she is the Editor-in-Chief of our page. Kayte demonstrates superior insight and confidence as she responds problems voiced by the staff. Kayte Patterson’s professionalism brings great credit to herself; all healthcare professionals and personifies excellence at PSH.

I can report we are getting calls and inquiries almost every day about needing skilled nursing care. Having said that, 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 or medical care you expect.

Thank you again for your referrals and continued support. For more information about PSH happenings, go to our FACEBOOK page. Working together, we make Prairie Sunset Home a great place to live and work!

Aaron D. Kelley Jr.

Administrator

07/20/2025

We even got a visit from amazing Rodeo Clown Justin Rumford!!! Thank you again to all who made these visits happen. You all make rodeo week such a special time for us!

07/20/2025

Wowza! We had an awesome visit from bullfighters Wacey Munsell and Tyler Dahl from Pretty Prairie Rodeo.

07/19/2025

RODEO week in Pretty Prairie is something we look forward to every year. Photos from slack earlier this week.

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