Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
“We have the same basic needs and desires in our later years,” explains Richard Marino, MD, Medical Director at The Cedars. “We need friendships and companionship. Relationships improve the quality of our lives, and can actually extend our lives.” It has been observed that mortality rates slightly decrease just prior to major holidays and life events, suggesting that spending time with those that we love has a beneficial effect on our survival. Research has shown that sexual activity and other forms of physical and emotional affection lowers the risk of depression in seniors.* That’s why Dr. Marino makes it a priority to support healthy, consensual relationships that form at The Cedars— and why loved ones should, too. “Our staff respects the privacy of our residents,” he says. “We work closely with families to resolve any concerns about consent or their loved one’s care, and we work closely with residents to...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
This week at The Atrium at The Cedars, in addition to their regular water aerobics, strength training and yoga fitness classes, they are enjoying a lecture by historian, Jerry Wiles about Dolly Madison; the Longfellow Book Club discussion on All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr; and a mid-winter cook-out as we raise our glasses to the warm weather ahead. If you’re interested in finding more out about life at The Atrium, call our Marketing Representative at...
BOB NEEDED A PLUS ONE. His daughter, Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO of The Cedars, wanted him to join a family birthday celebration in Old Orchard Beach. He’d only been living at The Osher Inn for one month, but he knew exactly who he wanted to bring. “I’d noticed Lauretta in the dining room,” he explains, eyes twinkling. “This was my big chance.” “And we’ve been together ever since!” Lauretta says. Talking with Bob Callnan and Lauretta Torraca, they feel as though they’ve been together for years, not less than six months. Both widowed, they had each raised large families with loving partners before life brought them to The Osher Inn. When they found each other, they knew right away what a precious thing they had. “We just melded our lives together,” Lauretta beams. “At this stage of our lives, we get to do what we want. There’s so...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under News and Events.
Please join us for a seminar in downsizing with expert and president of Kate Lowry Designs, LLC at The Atrium Thursday November 20, 2014 FMI and RSVP...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
Reasons to Move to a Retirement Community Every day, during our conversations with the seniors considering a move to The Atrium at The Cedars, we hear a number of reasons why they haven’t taken action yet. The ones listed below we hear most often, and if we had a nickel for each time I heard them……well, you know the rest! “I’m healthy.” Great news – you are the perfect candidate for Independent Living! And even better news, our community offers tai chi, yoga, strength training, an indoor pool, and a fitness center all under one roof, so you can maintain your health and well-being. We also have visits from podiatrists, blood pressure clinics, and seasonal flu shots. All this and a highly respected, state of the art rehabilitation facility, The Sam L. Cohen Rehab Center, right here when you need it. “I can’t imagine fitting all my stuff into...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
Does playing cards or studying a foreign language help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease? A recent study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen found that these kinds of activities support the “use it or lose it” theory in that they lead to greater brain volume as seen on neurological imaging tests. Although the study did not reveal that brain games prevent Alzheimer’s Disease altogether, it did show they lead to better learning, memory and information processing. The best evidence suggests that a healthy lifestyle of exercise, a balanced diet and not smoking, combined with activities such as going to museums, doing puzzles and reading books can reduce the risk of dementia. At The Cedars community, we approach overall wellness from various perspectives, depending upon the individual’s needs and abilities. At The Atrium independent living, and The Osher Inn assisted living, we provide multiple opportunities to...
What do you do when you hear about someone in need? At The Osher Inn, assisted living at The Cedars, a group of more than six residents dusted off their knitting needles and joined forces to help. A few months ago, a few residents at The Osher Inn heard of a man receiving services from VNA Hospice – who just couldn’t stay warm. They didn’t miss a beat and gathered their friends at The Osher Inn to create a blanket as a donation to hospice. “It took around three months, with more than six of us working on it”, the group explained. None of the knitters had picked up needles in years, but they jumped back in willingly. “Fingers change over the years,” one knitter explained, “the needles are slippery and they didn’t used to be!” Another resident, who owned a yarn store in Portland for many years, says that using...
The Cedars is pleased to welcome Nancy Kuliga back to The Cedars as the Wellness Manager at The Osher Inn, assisted living at The Cedars. Nancy is no stranger to our community as she was the Director of Nursing for several years at our Skilled Care Center at The Cedars. Nancy has a multitude of experiences in senior care: she has served the Director of Resident Services at an area assisted living specializing in dementia care, acted as a Professional Services Consultant/ Director of Clinical Services for North Country Associates and Manager of Clinical Operations for Genesis Health Care. Nancy has worn many different hats throughout her nursing career and possesses strong skills with nursing leadership, management, knowledge of regulations governing assisted living and extensive knowledge of best clinical practices. Additionally she possesses certifications in nursing leadership, dementia care, and the minimum data set, which is the tool that determines long term care compensation levels....
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
When Les Brewer first moved to The Atrium at The Cedars in the spring of 2013, he was pleased to hear that there was a standing bridge game every Thursday evening. At the time, there were a few tables of avid bridge players who would routinely meet. Over the course of the year, Les has taken on the role of coordinating the game and opening the fun to new players and novices alike. “Everyone enjoys the hour and a half on Thursday nights – it keeps the mind occupied and it’s very social,” Les explains. When Les was growing up he would watch his grandparents play bridge, learning the game through observation. Whenever there was an opportunity to play, he would join them. In college, bridge was a popular early-evening activity in his Beta Theta Pi fraternity house at the University of Maine. Then, while stationed in Paris, France during WWII, he would walk to the Red Cross...
On March 5, LD 1776: An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Long Term Care Facilities Study Commission received a public hearing before the Committee on Health and Human Services. John Watson, Chief Financial Officer at The Cedars, was one of the presenters. John was a gubernatorial appointee to the Long Term Care Facilities Study Commission that authored LD 1776 and was recognized for his work and leadership. The Committee concluded Maine must rectify years of chronic underfunding to nursing homes. Rural areas are hardest hit and many are in danger of closing, but even urban facilities are challenged to make ends meet. The Commission urged the legislature to pass $2 million in relief for struggling facilities in rural Maine; a bill to study funding problems in rural Maine facilities; and a bill sponsored by LeadingAge to end the current system of MaineCare reimbursements and would require the...
BOB NEEDED A PLUS ONE. His daughter, Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO of The Cedars, wanted him to join a family birthday celebration in Old Orchard Beach. He’d only been living at The Osher Inn for one month, but he knew exactly who he wanted to bring. “I’d noticed Lauretta in the dining room,” he explains, eyes twinkling. “This was my big chance.” “And we’ve been together ever since!” Lauretta says. Talking with Bob Callnan and Lauretta Torraca, they feel as though they’ve been together for years, not less than six months. Both widowed, they had each raised large families with loving partners before life brought them to The Osher Inn. When they found each other, they knew right away what a precious thing they had. “We just melded our lives together,” Lauretta beams. “At this stage of our lives, we get to do what we want. There’s so...
Does playing cards or studying a foreign language help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease? A recent study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen found that these kinds of activities support the “use it or lose it” theory in that they lead to greater brain volume as seen on neurological imaging tests. Although the study did not reveal that brain games prevent Alzheimer’s Disease altogether, it did show they lead to better learning, memory and information processing. The best evidence suggests that a healthy lifestyle of exercise, a balanced diet and not smoking, combined with activities such as going to museums, doing puzzles and reading books can reduce the risk of dementia. At The Cedars community, we approach overall wellness from various perspectives, depending upon the individual’s needs and abilities. At The Atrium independent living, and The Osher Inn assisted living, we provide multiple opportunities to...
What do you do when you hear about someone in need? At The Osher Inn, assisted living at The Cedars, a group of more than six residents dusted off their knitting needles and joined forces to help. A few months ago, a few residents at The Osher Inn heard of a man receiving services from VNA Hospice – who just couldn’t stay warm. They didn’t miss a beat and gathered their friends at The Osher Inn to create a blanket as a donation to hospice. “It took around three months, with more than six of us working on it”, the group explained. None of the knitters had picked up needles in years, but they jumped back in willingly. “Fingers change over the years,” one knitter explained, “the needles are slippery and they didn’t used to be!” Another resident, who owned a yarn store in Portland for many years, says that using...
When Les Brewer first moved to The Atrium at The Cedars in the spring of 2013, he was pleased to hear that there was a standing bridge game every Thursday evening. At the time, there were a few tables of avid bridge players who would routinely meet. Over the course of the year, Les has taken on the role of coordinating the game and opening the fun to new players and novices alike. “Everyone enjoys the hour and a half on Thursday nights – it keeps the mind occupied and it’s very social,” Les explains. When Les was growing up he would watch his grandparents play bridge, learning the game through observation. Whenever there was an opportunity to play, he would join them. In college, bridge was a popular early-evening activity in his Beta Theta Pi fraternity house at the University of Maine. Then, while stationed in Paris, France during WWII, he would walk to the Red Cross...
On March 5, LD 1776: An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Long Term Care Facilities Study Commission received a public hearing before the Committee on Health and Human Services. John Watson, Chief Financial Officer at The Cedars, was one of the presenters. John was a gubernatorial appointee to the Long Term Care Facilities Study Commission that authored LD 1776 and was recognized for his work and leadership. The Committee concluded Maine must rectify years of chronic underfunding to nursing homes. Rural areas are hardest hit and many are in danger of closing, but even urban facilities are challenged to make ends meet. The Commission urged the legislature to pass $2 million in relief for struggling facilities in rural Maine; a bill to study funding problems in rural Maine facilities; and a bill sponsored by LeadingAge to end the current system of MaineCare reimbursements and would require the...