At The Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center at The Cedars, we have over 40 physical, occupational and speech therapists that provide rehabilitative therapy to our short term patients, long term residents, and outpatients living in the Portland area. Brian DesPres, Director of Rehabilitation at The Cedars and an occupational therapist Himself, describes the role of an OT as restoring balance in the patient’s life by helping patients return to their optimal level of functioning in self-care. Balance in self-care is a combination of caring for our bodies through bathing, dressing and grooming, and as well as through the reintegration of leisure activities into our lives. During the initial evaluation with patients, the OT asks about prior level and immediately starts to problem solve in order to get that patient home safely. The therapy goals are often achieved through purposeful activities where the OT incorporates basic tasks with strengthening, fine motor or balance...
Are you anticipating a short-term, inpatient rehabilitation stay in the near future? If so, The Cedars Rehabilitation Team would like to provide you with some insight into the experience. As patients enter the rehabilitation process, we recognize that they are not feeling as “whole” as they had been; they’re suffering a loss of health and may be uncertain about putting trust into the rehabilitation team. This key team consists of physical, occupational and speech therapists, nursing staff, dietician, physician and care coordinators who are all there to assess your needs and arrange a treatment plan with you. The medical staff largely focuses your medical issues – the reason you were admitted to the hospital. While the therapists concentrate on helping you get back to “doing.” Sometimes returning to your prior level of activity comes in phases where you need to learn compensatory strategies during an interim period. For instance,...
Posted in our blog on by Tracy& filed under Featured.
A thrilling view of the Maine coast—and a thought-provoking point-of-view on aging—captivated guests at The Cedars End-of-Summer Cocktail Party, hosted by Marjorie and Robert Ory on September 27. THE ORYS, LONGTIME FRIENDS OF The Cedars, divide their time between Boston and a stunning oceanfront home in Kennebunkport. In 2003, when Marge’s mother became a resident at The Cedars, they became strong supporters of our innovative programs. Knowing that the Grow Bold With Us campaign is poised to transform not only The Cedars but the standard of senior care statewide, they generously opened their Kennebunkport residence to offer family and friends from York County a first-hand preview of the exciting advances ahead. Guests received the warmest of welcomes from their hosts and representatives from The Cedars were on hand to share a look into some exciting advances in aging. AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY COMES HOME Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO,...
Are you anticipating a rehabilitation stay in the new future? Whether you have an upcoming surgery scheduled, or you or a loved one is experiencing an unexpected rehabilitation stay, here are a few tips that may help your return home easier. Expect things to be different. Recovery can take a while and in some cases you may need to make modifications around the house or get extra assistance from caregivers. Recognizing that these adjustments will ultimately result in a safer and more comfortable living environment may relieve some of the stress associated with the transition. Start planning early. If you think you’ll need to make some changes around the house, or if you’ll need extra assistance, don’t wait until you’re home to start planning. Touring a rehabilitation center before your planned surgery will not only acquaint you with the therapists, staff and accommodations but will also give you information on...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Latest News.
WHEN Mary Carol Pochebit began experiencing increasingly severe medical and mobility issues, she and her husband, John, faced a difficult choice. They wanted to stay together in the home they had shared for over 50 years. But Mary Carol needed more assistance with the activities of daily living than John could provide, and more acute medical care than she was eligible for at home. “We have a big, close family,” John explains. “But only one of my sons lives close by. I couldn’t even get Mary to her doctor appointments without calling him.” Like many seniors, the Pochebits had many apprehensions and misconceptions about nursing homes like The Skilled Care Center at The Cedars. Today, they are so glad they didn’t let those fears keep them from finding Mary the care she needed. Because Mary had a customized care plan from our medical director, 24/7 support from our nursing...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
In recognition of National Bone and Joint Awareness month, The Cedars is focusing on osetoporosis and how to improve your ‘bone health’. Osteoporosis is the most prevalent bone condition among Americans with nearly half of all women and one-quarter of men likely to suffer from its’ effects in their lifetime. Each year, approximately one and a half million Americans suffer a bone fracture related to osteoporosis. Fifty years ago, physicians believed that weak bones were a natural part of aging, but today we know that we can do something about it. It is important to remember that you are never too old to do something to improve your bone health. Osteoporosis is debilitating, reduces freedom of movement, and can cause a high incidence of hip and spinal fractures. Prevention of the condition and patient education is key to reducing the problems associated with osteoporosis. The goal is...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Latest News.
How to Serve a Quarter-Million Meals a Year and Savor Every Moment “A full plate tells me someone who needed nutrition didn’t get it and will have to make it up with supplements. That’s unacceptable to me. An empty plate tells me someone enjoyed a real meal, made from natural local ingredients with real care.” – David Kessler When Wendy Bush was admitted to The Cedars senior living community, she worried about maintaining her weight while recovering from a broken leg. “The food at The Cedars is wonderful!” she declares. “When I started looking forward to the next meal, I knew I might be in trouble. Thank goodness for the portion control.” She really means thank goodness for David Kessler, Director of Dining Services, and his team. When David arrived at The Cedars in 1994, he served 102 residents with a staff of 18. Today, David oversees the preparation, production...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
“My therapists helped me create a plan and achieve my goals. When I was discharged, I knew I was ready to go home. – Wendy Bush LAST AUGUST, Wendy Bush stepped off the front porch of her son’s Long Island vacation home and missed the bottom step. Her leg was broken. Her son was able to drive her back to Maine for treatment, but the journey back to her own home would take much longer. As the Vice President of Marketing at F.L. Putnam and a member of the Mercy Hospital board of directors, Wendy knows how to assess a difficult situation and make a sure decision. “I was in a cast and under doctor’s orders not to put any weight on my leg,” she recalls. “I knew I would recover much faster with round-the-clock help. My doctor and several friends recommended The Cedars Rehabilitation Center.” The...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Latest News.
The Cedars Retirement Community incorporates wellness into all that we do – for our staff, members and residents. One of our newest outpatient programs, Living Well With Dementia offered from our Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center, is gaining increased recognition. This past weekend, the Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MeOTA), honored our Angie Hunt with their OT Advocate Award, specifically for the work she has done to create Living Well With Dementia. Angie is the Executive Director of the Assisted Living, Rehabilitation Center and Skilled Care at The Cedars. Here is the letter that was submitted by Lisa Clark, Program Coordinator of Living Well With Dementia, to MeOTA: Angie (Hunt) is a physical therapist who is the Executive Director of The Cedars in Portland, Maine. The Cedars is a retirement community that offers a continuum of senior living options for elders: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Care. The Cedars’ philosophy revolves around...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
Since November is COPD Awareness Month, the nurses and therapists at The Cedars would like to share some easy tips on ways we can make life easier for someone suffering from this disease. COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is an incurable disease that affects the lungs and other parts of our body. The main cause of COPD is cigarette smoke, as well as work-related exposure to inhaled substances. People suffering from COPD have difficulty breathing, primarily due to the fact that their lungs have lost elasticity, which makes inhaling and exhaling very difficult. In addition, increased mucus in the lungs and the body’s decreased ability to transfer oxygen into our blood combine to make it the third leading cause of death in our country. If you know someone with COPD, here are some suggestions for ways to ease their burden, directly from Deborah Leader, RN at About.com Guide: Help...
At The Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center at The Cedars, we have over 40 physical, occupational and speech therapists that provide rehabilitative therapy to our short term patients, long term residents, and outpatients living in the Portland area. Brian DesPres, Director of Rehabilitation at The Cedars and an occupational therapist Himself, describes the role of an OT as restoring balance in the patient’s life by helping patients return to their optimal level of functioning in self-care. Balance in self-care is a combination of caring for our bodies through bathing, dressing and grooming, and as well as through the reintegration of leisure activities into our lives. During the initial evaluation with patients, the OT asks about prior level and immediately starts to problem solve in order to get that patient home safely. The therapy goals are often achieved through purposeful activities where the OT incorporates basic tasks with strengthening, fine motor or balance...
Are you anticipating a short-term, inpatient rehabilitation stay in the near future? If so, The Cedars Rehabilitation Team would like to provide you with some insight into the experience. As patients enter the rehabilitation process, we recognize that they are not feeling as “whole” as they had been; they’re suffering a loss of health and may be uncertain about putting trust into the rehabilitation team. This key team consists of physical, occupational and speech therapists, nursing staff, dietician, physician and care coordinators who are all there to assess your needs and arrange a treatment plan with you. The medical staff largely focuses your medical issues – the reason you were admitted to the hospital. While the therapists concentrate on helping you get back to “doing.” Sometimes returning to your prior level of activity comes in phases where you need to learn compensatory strategies during an interim period. For instance,...
A thrilling view of the Maine coast—and a thought-provoking point-of-view on aging—captivated guests at The Cedars End-of-Summer Cocktail Party, hosted by Marjorie and Robert Ory on September 27. THE ORYS, LONGTIME FRIENDS OF The Cedars, divide their time between Boston and a stunning oceanfront home in Kennebunkport. In 2003, when Marge’s mother became a resident at The Cedars, they became strong supporters of our innovative programs. Knowing that the Grow Bold With Us campaign is poised to transform not only The Cedars but the standard of senior care statewide, they generously opened their Kennebunkport residence to offer family and friends from York County a first-hand preview of the exciting advances ahead. Guests received the warmest of welcomes from their hosts and representatives from The Cedars were on hand to share a look into some exciting advances in aging. AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY COMES HOME Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO,...
Are you anticipating a rehabilitation stay in the new future? Whether you have an upcoming surgery scheduled, or you or a loved one is experiencing an unexpected rehabilitation stay, here are a few tips that may help your return home easier. Expect things to be different. Recovery can take a while and in some cases you may need to make modifications around the house or get extra assistance from caregivers. Recognizing that these adjustments will ultimately result in a safer and more comfortable living environment may relieve some of the stress associated with the transition. Start planning early. If you think you’ll need to make some changes around the house, or if you’ll need extra assistance, don’t wait until you’re home to start planning. Touring a rehabilitation center before your planned surgery will not only acquaint you with the therapists, staff and accommodations but will also give you information on...
In recognition of National Bone and Joint Awareness month, The Cedars is focusing on osetoporosis and how to improve your ‘bone health’. Osteoporosis is the most prevalent bone condition among Americans with nearly half of all women and one-quarter of men likely to suffer from its’ effects in their lifetime. Each year, approximately one and a half million Americans suffer a bone fracture related to osteoporosis. Fifty years ago, physicians believed that weak bones were a natural part of aging, but today we know that we can do something about it. It is important to remember that you are never too old to do something to improve your bone health. Osteoporosis is debilitating, reduces freedom of movement, and can cause a high incidence of hip and spinal fractures. Prevention of the condition and patient education is key to reducing the problems associated with osteoporosis. The goal is...