Meadowlark

Congrats to Meadowlark's Employee of the Month for August is Trace Petermann, a Housekeeper as part of the Environmental Services team!

Trace's nominator said, Trace has been on board a short time, but his work ethic has already made an impact. He consistently takes pride in keeping everything clean and organized, and he does an excellent job doing so. When you come into work and see Trace on shift, you know things are being taken care of and handled well.

Congrats, Trace! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and attention to detail. Your commitment to keeping the Meadowlark campus clean, organized, and well cared for does not go unnoticed. We appreciate everything you do and are grateful to have you on the team.

Thanks to Meritrust Credit Union for their support in sponsoring this special award!

How Independent and Assisted Living Differ: Essential Guidance for Manhattan, KS Residents

What Are Independent Living and Assisted Living Communities? Independent living and assisted living are two distinct types of retirement communities that support area residents as they age, each offering different...

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How Independent and Assisted Living Differ: Essential Guidance for Manhattan, KS Residents - Retirement Community Expert in Manhattan, Kansas What Are Independent Living and Assisted Living Communities? Independent living and assisted living are two distinct types of retirement communities that suppor

These Meadowlark Parkinson’s Program shirts represent more than team spirit—they represent a commitment to quality Parkinson’s care!

As part of the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care program for senior living communities and home care agencies, Meadowlark team members receive specialized training to better understand Parkinson’s disease and provide high-quality care and support to people living with PD.

We’re proud of these team members for investing their time in learning more and strengthening the care we provide across the Meadowlark community.

Learn more about the Meadowlark Parkinson’s Program and the ways we can help: https://www.meadowlark.org/community-programs/meadowlark-parkinsons-program

Leanna Scott, Community Programs & Communications Intern with Meadowlark and KSU's Johnson Cancer Research Center, was a phenomenal asset this summer! Thank you, Leanna!

🎓 Intern Spotlight: Thank You, Leanna Scott! This summer, Leanna served as Meadowlark's Community Programs & Communications Intern, contributing to everything from Messenger articles and social media content to community events and Summer Camp.

A Human Health & Environmental Biology major at Kansas State University, Leanna will continue her education this fall in Cleveland University's Radiologic Technology program, where she hopes to specialize in MRI and cancer detection.

Leanna says one of her biggest takeaways was seeing how Meadowlark's free Parkinson's, Memory, and Cancer Programs help educate, support, and connect people during vulnerable times.

Thank you, Leanna, for your enthusiasm, creativity, and heart this summer. We wish you all the best in your next chapter!

Staying Socially Connected in Retirement: Practical Tips for Manhattan, KS Residents

Why Does Staying Socially Active Matter After Retirement? Staying socially engaged after retirement supports emotional well-being, reduces loneliness, and helps maintain overall health. Local residents in Manhattan, KS, often wonder...

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Staying Socially Connected in Retirement: Practical Tips for Manhattan, KS Residents - Retirement Community Expert in Manhattan, Kansas Why Does Staying Socially Active Matter After Retirement? Staying socially engaged after retirement supports emotional well-being, reduces loneliness, and helps

On Mondays, We Mah Jongg. 🎉 Congratulations to Meadowlark resident Gloria Heiberger on achieving one of the rarest feats in American Mah Jongg—a "Heavenly Hand!" 🀄

A Heavenly Hand occurs when the dealer wins immediately with their first 14 tiles, before any player has a chance to discard. The odds? An estimated 1 in 250,000 to 1 in 1 million games!

Gloria has been playing Mah Jongg since 1967, and after nearly 60 years with the game, she can now add this extraordinary milestone to her list of accomplishments.
Congratulations, Gloria—well played!

🎉 Celebrating 25 Years of PEAK!

Two weeks ago, members of the Meadowlark team were honored to join others from across Kansas in celebrating the 25th anniversary of PEAK – Quality Improvement Through Person-Centered Care.

For 25 years, PEAK has championed a simple but powerful idea: putting people first. Through education, collaboration, and continuous improvement, the program has helped nursing homes across Kansas create environments where dignity, choice, purpose, and quality of life remain at the center of care.

At Meadowlark, we're proud to be part of this journey and grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside others who share a commitment to person-centered care. Congratulations to the K-State Center on Aging, KDADS, and everyone who has helped make PEAK a national leader over the past 25 years!

This summer, we were fortunate to welcome Kobe Boyd, a fitness intern from Kansas State University, where he is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Gerontology.

Working alongside Jeff Heidbreder and Kaitlynn Walker, Kobe quickly became a familiar face to many residents through group exercise classes and wellness programming. He shared that one of the highlights of his internship was building relationships with residents and seeing firsthand how Meadowlark's person-centered approach helps older adults age successfully.

After graduating this fall, Kobe plans to attend occupational therapy school with the goal of returning to his hometown of Farmington, New Mexico, to serve veterans as an occupational therapist. As a veteran himself, he's passionate about giving back to those who have served our country.

Thank you, Kobe, for your enthusiasm this summer. We wish you all the best as you continue your education and pursue your goal of making a difference in the lives of others!

Surprise! Friends and neighbors gathered on Tuesday, July 21, to celebrate Wanda Fulk’s 70th birthday with a surprise party. The celebration came just a few days before her July 26 birthday—when, as Wanda jokingly reminded everyone, she was "still in her sixties!" Happy 70th Birthday, Wanda!