Appreciating the Art of Music at The Atrium

Posted by Katharine

Every Thursday at 1:30, something transformational happens. Members of The Atrium independent living at The Cedars, gather to listen and experience a sound journey with a well versed musical host. Larry Merson, member since 2017, has been collecting vinyl records since he was able to purchase them. Growing up in New York City, he’s a devoted fan of the Metropolitan Opera and regales stories of going as a teenager when there was only standing room available, marveling at the great performers of his time. In addition He’s spent 50 years singing in a classical music choir and attributes much of his interest to his parents and favorite classical influences: Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach, along with several 20th century composers such as Poulenc and Debussy.

In addition to classical pieces, he offers some traditional Broadway plays and an occasional opera and operetta. “Die Fledermaus” a beloved operetta lasting 2.5 hours long is sometimes offered for those guests that wish to extend their musical stay and embark on a melodic, fun and at times capricious roller coaster of overtones.

During their visit, the listeners find themselves in the stillness of the music, where life begins to slow down and the present moment is invited in. A delightful mixture of new and old classics offers something for everyone and Larry is always open to requests and at times even makes digital copies for his guests seeking more enjoyment. A strategic arrangement of seating allows for excellent acoustics, where the sound is sure to pulsate into your heart.

For more information on retirement living at The Atrium, contact our Marketing Representative at 207-221-7100.

L’Shanah Tovah

Posted by Katharine

The Cedars wishes you a sweet new year, filled with good health, peace, prosperity and happiness, today and always.

Employee Wellness Fair 2018

Posted by Katharine

On Thursday August 9, The Cedars celebrated its employees with the ninth annual Wellness Fair! Several vendors, including some of our volunteers arrived ready to inspire, educate and engage our staff with healthy lifestyle tips and wellness offerings.

The focus included healthy eating demonstrations from our kitchen staff with fresh Gazpacho and other tasty treats. A variety of practitioners were present, sharing their knowledge and treatments in reiki, acupuncture, thermal image screening, and essential oils. In addition our employee benefit representatives were also available to provide information and resources tailored to individual needs.

Several of our staff members were the recipients of wonderful prizes, including a Fitbit, baskets created with healthy snacks, spa items and gift cards to both Hannaford and Target!

The Cedars is dedicated to creating a culture designed around wellness and would like to give special thanks to all its employees, vendors and participants that helped to make the 2018 fair a huge success! Many thanks to our participants, including:

  • Acadia Benefits
  • Principal Financial Group
  • 211 Maine
  • Guardian Dental
  • Tracy Dubois with DoTERRA Essential Oils
  • Hannaford
  • Carrie Bernard, Acupuncturist
  • Melissa Rose Redman and Tammy Riley, Reiki Practitioners
  • The Cedars Dieticians and Executive Chef
  • Thermal Imaging of Maine
  • Fagan Center of Audiology
  • Aetna Insurance

John Watson of The Cedars Receives National Award for Advocacy

Posted by Katharine

The Cedars is proud to announce that John Watson, Chief Financial Officer at The Cedars, has been elected to receive the Outstanding Advocacy Award from LeadingAge, a national association representing 6,000 non-profit aging-services organizations throughout the United States.

The award honors John Watson as a tireless advocate at the State level for educating legislators, executive branch officials, and fellow nursing facility administrators regarding Maine’s current system of reimbursing nursing homes.   Through his governor-appointed position on the Commission to Study Long Term Care, John worked with State Representatives to introduce a bill for a more equitable allocation system for care provided in nursing homes. In doing so, John was integral in reforming Maine Medicaid’s system of nursing home reimbursement and thereby assuring continued access to care for Maine’s oldest and frailest.

 

Wellness Fair

Posted by Katharine

Wellness Fair at The Cedars
Thursday August 9 from 10AM to 2PM
This is a great chance for our staff and residents to get wellness tips and helpful information. Raffles and prizes!

Volunteers: at the Heart of The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

Looking back over the years, it’s clear that The Cedars would not be the thriving community it is today had it not been for our volunteers raising nickels and uniting a strong passion for “change” to support our residents.

Today that spirit is fully ignited and contagious as ever, with a diverse variety of volunteers sharing their talents and giving back in unique ways that offer immeasurable returns. Our volunteers continue to be the cornerstone of the compassionate care that we strive for, offering creative approaches that enhance lifestyle choices and honor individuality.

It has been said that the heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but instead by the depth of commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. In being of service to others, there’s a sense of strong connection to those around us and in turn we can become inspired by the experience of giving back. Throughout our community there is a perpetual flow of giving, from our seamstress volunteer Meagan, mending items for our residents each week and creating community quilts for everyone to enjoy, to our spa volunteers Katie and Carol, offering gentle hand massages, conversation and companionship as our residents relax and enjoy the ambiance of the spa. Lending a hand with Bridge, there’s volunteer David with his quick wit and humor. Our community is strengthened by the thread of diversity that is volunteerism.

As we continue to passionately forge ahead with exciting new projects on our campus and within our community we extend gratitude to the volunteers that have come before us, the ones that continue to walk beside us. Each and every single person has helped us build the legacy that we have become today, a true testament that our volunteers are truly the heart of who we are and deeply comprised of our past present and future.

With the summer upon us and more travel in the future for our residents, we have openings for Activity and Outing Assistants, Come and accompany our residents to lunch or for a scenic ride to a favorite ice cream spot!

If you have a talent you’d like to share with our residents or for more information on our volunteer program, please contact: Janine Fifield, Manager of Volunteer Services. jfifield@thecedarsportland.org 2017-221-7036 or visit our website at www.thecedarsportland.org

 

The Cedars Celebrates Our Staff

Posted by Katharine

On July 19, The Cedars will hold a summer BBQ for our employees and give special recognition to those who have served between 5 and 35 years. Thank you, Staff at The Cedars, for all of your hard work, commitment and caring!

Happy Fourth of July

Posted by Katharine

The Cedars wishes everyone a sparkling Fourth of July
filled with pride, honor and fun!

CNA Plus Graduation at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

On June 25, The Cedars graduated another class of certified nursing assistants from The Cedars CNA Plus. For the past year, The Cedars has been partnering with Southern Maine Community College and the Root Cellar to provide opportunities for bright, compassionate people to start a career in healthcare while addressing the growing need for caregivers, particularly for our aging population.

Angie Hunt, Chief Operating Officer and Susan Dionne-Jones, Director of Nursing, congratulated our graduates and gave a heart-felt thanks to Nancy Rodick, RN Instructor for her guidance and expertise over the past several months of class and clinicals. CNA Plus not only provides nursing assistant instruction but also teaches additional skills that are becoming more valuable in the healthcare setting.

Special guest speaker, Brenda Beaulieu, Business Relations Manager at SMCC expressed how proud she is of our graduates as they each worked a job, many managing a family, while going to school. A great level of commitment and a first step into a new and exciting future. For more information on the CNA Plus program at The Cedars, contact us today at 221-7150.

Opening Minds through Art at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

What can an art therapy program for seniors with dementia teach all of us?

All the participants in this Opening Minds through Art (OMA) class sing “You Are My Sunshine” as sunlight pours across worktables and paint is poured into palettes. Before the studio work begins, Pamela Moulton, artist in residence, sparks curiosity and delight with a performance art piece.

“I want to wake us all up,” Pamela explains, showing off her vibrant hat and whimsical apron. “Intergenerational play infuses all my art. We all crave that joy.”

It’s true. Smiles are everywhere as the artists, who are residents of The Cedars with dementia, confer with their personal facilitators, undergraduate students from the University of New England (UNE). While the seniors learn today’s art technique, the students learn about therapeutic work with seniors. And as the works progress, students express sincere admiration and help each artist choose a title for their painting. Abstract art has become a language they can share—and a lifeline.

“We teach abstract art because it doesn’t try to replicate objects in recognizable ways,” adds Nick Viti, Director of Life Enrichment. “It expresses them in fundamental ways, like colors and shapes. There’s no frustration or failure here.”

Family members and loved ones are welcome to observe or participate in the class. “They’ve seen their loved one struggle so much,” Nick says. “Families are moved to tears as they watch their loved one succeed.”

When Angela Hunt, Chief Operating Officer, first heard about an intergenerational art program from Scripps Gerontology Center in Ohio, she knew it was a perfect fit for The Cedars. The Cedars Auxiliary agreed, and raised funds to develop Maine’s first OMA program. “The Auxiliary made it possible,” Angela says. “Staff need certification, and we needed a working artist to teach, and artist grade supplies for all the projects.”

Angela tapped Nick to direct OMA, and he saw its potential immediately. “OMA gives residents with dementia a means of self-expression, lots of choices and a fun change in routine,” he says. “These are core elements of all of our programs.”

In other OMA programs, volunteers assist the residents. The Cedars decided to take it further. “We made it a college course,” Angela says. “We wanted to inspire the next generation to work in the field of gerontology.”

Partnering with Elders: Health and Creativity, piloted by graduate students at the University of Southern Maine under the stewardship of faculty member Tammy Bickmore, was a smash hit with everyone involved. Angie turned to long-time collaborator Joe Wolfberg, MS-OMOC, a faculty member at UNE Westbrook College of Health Professions, for help creating a credit course.

Joe has worked with seniors, students and The Cedars for over 30 years, and he is a passionate believer in nurturing creativity and connections. “Everybody is a teacher,” Joe declares. “We all have so much to give each other at every stage of our lives. As students listen to these elder teachers, they learn how to honor aging in all its forms.”

“We’re really breaking down barriers here,” Nick agrees. “We’re introducing young students to seniors with dementia and showing them how much they have to offer, and how we can best support them.”

So what can we all learn from OMA?

Live in the Moment … Dementia patients, with so much of their experience lost to them, encounter everything as new and must live fully in the moment. As great artists have shown us, the ability to see the world differently can offer deep insight. The art created in OMA reveals that seniors with memory loss retain a valuable, and powerful, perspective on our world.

… and Make the Most of the Moment “I’ve taught many art classes,” Pamela says as she gathers up the supplies. “This is special. I always leave this class feeling so alive.” And as everyone sings the closing song, “This Little Light of Mine,” everyone can feel it—the lightness and brightness of all of us, all together, shining.

For more information on OMA and other innovative programs at The Cedars, contact Nick Viti at 207-221-7000.