Monthly Archives: July 2012

Health and Wellness: The Truth About Cataracts

Help With Aging Parents: The Truth About Cataracts By Diane Vigue, RN, Resident Wellness Manager at The Osher Inn, assisted living at The Cedars Did you know that 20.5 million older Americans have cataracts, one of the most curable causes of vision loss? A cataract is clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens, blocking the passage of light needed for vision. Cataracts form slowly and cause no pain. Some stay small and hardly affect vision, but if one does grow and begin to affect your vision, it can usually be removed with surgery. According to The American Academy of Opthamology, new techniques developed over the past decade have made cataract surgery one of the safest and most successful procedures available in terms of restoring quality of life to patients. Each year there are more than 1.6 million of these delicate eye surgeries performed in the United States. There are no...

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The Cedars Retirement Community: Holistic Wellness through Water Aerobics

The Cedars commitment to wellness can be seen throughout the community, from tai chi instruction for members to yoga classes for staff.  A particular program that is gaining increased popularity is our water aerobics or “Aquazcize” as we refer to it. Sharon Leddy-Smart, Director of Lifestyles at The Atrium independent living, is also a personal trainer, triathlete, and mother of five – and touts the benefits of water aerobics for the senior population.  The Atrium’s pool is considered therapeutic as it is heated to over 87 degrees Fahrenheit.  Sharon’s classes focus on coordination, mobility, balance, range ofmotion and core stability.  “It’s great for people dealing with arthritis because it’s no-impact, and the heat helps warm the joints to allow for greater range of motion.”  Member Florence Strauss explains that “it is the only time I can walk pain-free, when I’m exercising in the pool.” Sharon states that the water is...

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Best Retirement Community: Visits at Skilled Care, Part III

Help with Aging Parents: Four More Ways to Make the Most of Visits – Part III By Melanie Desjardins, Manager of Care Coordination at The Cedars The third part of our series on making the most of a visit with a loved on at The Cedars, senior living community. For more help, contact our Care Coordination department. 1.   Have grandchildren bring or send along artwork, papers  or projects from camp or school.  The delight that many residents get from seeing the works of children is wonderful – and the children benefit as well, receiving input and kudos from older adults. 2.  Plant and take care of an indoor/outdoor garden cart. Our outside patio is beautiful this time of year. Talk to the Life Enrichment staff for this activity.  In addition, taking a leisurely stroll through our community pathways provide a great opportunity to enjoy the flora. 3.  Do crossword or jigsaw...

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