The Cedars Celebrates Groundbreaking for the Sam L. Cohen Households

Posted by Tracy

The Cedars welcomed our community to join us in commemorating a powerful and pivotal moment in the Grow Bold With Us Campaign.

THE DAY BEFORE the groundbreaking ceremony for the much-anticipated Sam L. Cohen Households, construction crews arrived at The Cedars to begin tearing down a building set on the corner of our campus, clearing the way for the construction to come. By the time honored guests, supporters, community members, staff, and residents arrived on September 21, enormous excavators surrounded the crisp white event tent. The air was charged with excitement, optimism, and change. After so much hope and hard work, the first senior living community to implement the Household Model in Maine and New England was about to be the first to construct a residence specifically designed to be a true home for seniors.

CREATING HOME

Long before The Cedars broke ground for this innovative new building, our staff laid the groundwork to implement a new way of supporting seniors in their later years: the Household Model of care.

“Seniors of today and tomorrow don’t want the model of care experienced by their parents and grandparents,” Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO of The Cedars, told guests. “They want rich experiences. Choices. A home environment. The Cedars has always understood that seniors want privacy, autonomy, and the ability to make daily decisions about how they wish to live their lives even though they are no longer able to live independently at home.”

The Cedars staff has spent the last two years training for and implementing the Household Model of care. Thanks in part to the generosity of the Sam L. Cohen Foundation, they will soon have a space designed to support it.

COMING HOME

The Cedars has always practiced person-centered care, and for the past 24 months has provided specialized training to dramatically shift the way staff gives care towards a person-directed model. However, completely implementing the Household Model requires building a radically different kind of space – one with distinct hallmarks of home. Private rooms and bathrooms. Welcoming common areas, like a kitchen that is always open and stocked with favorite foods. A front door, with a doorbell, that chimes a clear signal: this a private home for people living rich and meaningful lives.

The Sam L. Cohen Foundation’s contribution has helped to fund the construction of this cutting-edge residence to honor the late Sam Cohen’s many connections to The Cedars, his lifelong legacy of philanthropy, and most of all, his legendary love of gathering with family and friends.

BOLD SOLUTIONS FOR BIG CHALLENGES

The Groundbreaking Ceremony featured national and local political figures as well, as the Households have significance for seniors far beyond Maine’s shores. As the nation’s population rapidly ages, the demand for skilled healthcare workers and personalized senior living continues to grow. At this critical point, The Cedars has taken the lead—proposing bold initiatives for workforce development and training, partnerships for research and learning, and new living options for our later years.

After all, Maine has the oldest population in the nation. The “silver tsunami” will hit this state particularly hard and our elected representatives are keenly aware that now is the time to act.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Senator Susan Collins continues to be one of the country’s most reliable advocates for seniors. As chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, she has worked to increase funding for Alzheimer’s research and to strengthen support for family caregivers. Senator Collins has met over the past few years with John Watson, Chief Financial Officer at The Cedars, to discuss specific long-term care legislation and most recently review Medicaid funding considerations critical to Maine’s poor elderly in advance of the historic health care vote. Senator Collins spoke passionately of the potential for this model of care to transform how we age in Maine—and beyond.

 

“For nearly 90 years, The Cedars has helped Maine seniors live their lives to the fullest… working together, in Washington, D.C. and in communities across the nation, we are building a shared vision for aging that is centered on health, wellness and community.” – SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS

A NEW LEVEL OF CARE

 In addition to the two skilled care Households, The Sam L. Cohen Households will provide the newest level of person-centered care at The Cedars—Memory Care Assisted Living.

The Cedars knows that people with memory loss can engage in meaningful activities, make decisions about how they want to spend their days, and participate in their own health and wellness. At The Cedars, they will.

Each resident will receive a thoughtful evaluation and strengths-based assessment from dedicated staff trained in the Teepa Snow Model of Postive Care. Caregivers will provide positive, powerful therapies designed to respond to changing abilities and personalized to each resident’s Life Story.

Innovative programs will be offered on a daily basis to promote choice, preserve dignity, and respect individuality—always putting the person first. In addition to a full calendar of group activities, staff will provide spontaneous activities—day and night—to meet in-the-moment needs for social engagement, self-expression and mindful connections.

“Our new Memory Care Assisted Living Household for seniors with more advanced memory loss will help preserve cognitive function and, most importantly, independence,” Kathryn Callnan assured guests. “We can make a promise to our community: when you come to live at The Cedars, you have come home.”

To learn how you can support bold new initiatives for seniors, call the Development Office at 207-221-7007 or email development@thecedarsportland.org.

 

 

The Cedars is Recognized for Arts Programming

Posted by Katharine

Nick Viti (OMA Facilitator Class of 2015) has launched a highly successful OMA program at The Cedars in Portland, Maine. The facility has already begun their third OMA session. They partner with the University of Southern Maine and the University of New England, where students receive college credit to participate in the OMA program.

The site had their first art show in June as a part of Portland’s First Friday Art Walk, a monthly community event. They also plan to exhibit at partnering universities. OMA Artists have an exhibit at USM in Lewiston, ME right now! Check out their video featuring an OMA session and the art show.

“One of our elders said to her partner, ‘I’m not an artist,’ at the start of every session until the very last project when she finally said, ‘I am an artist!”

Nick took the time to answer a few questions about what his experience has been like.

What have you learned as an OMA Facilitator? What advice would you give?
“I was anxious when we were putting OMA together at The Cedars.  I learned that you may never really feel ready to start your first session, but you have to just jump into the experience and trust in the process. My co-facilitator, Pamela Moulton, who is a mixed medium artist, was extremely helpful in securing right supplies from the start, as well as overseeing the selection of colors we present to our artists.

Also, it’s important to pay attention to placement of residents in the room. Some residents may be overwhelmed by a lot of people around them so they may do better with the room at their back, while others may feel uncomfortable without being able to see the whole room.  They may need to see what others are doing to understand the experience.

Find good partners for your volunteers!  College programs in the area have been a tremendous resource for us and we have collaborated with them to create a 3-credit undergraduate course about geriatrics and long term care.  The students get a lecture from one of our departments for an hour before starting the OMA project of the day to teach them about all the different disciplines that support our residents and how they work together in order to provide quality person-centered care.  There has been a very positive response to this opportunity that is very unique compared to other experiences offered at the undergraduate level.  In addition, I try to get to know the students through the two day dementia/OMA trainings to make good pairings with residents, especially those who may need to be especially patient or be process vs. product focused in order to enable the best chance for the residents’ success.

“Don’t neglect your artwork. Color is emotion, you got to let it out.” – OMA Artist

Have there been any challenges that you’ve overcome while facilitating OMA?
“Finding the right residents who are going to be open to joining OMA and willing to participate consistently can be a challenge.  Sometimes you just don’t know.  I usually select the toughest potential artists first and try to involve them in the OMA process for a couple weeks.  After the first class there are some substitutions that take place because some residents don’t like trying something new around other people, or the time of day isn’t good for them, etc.  I always have a list of alternates that I think are a surer bet so I don’t subject the students to constantly changing partners and the final pair can begin the process of bonding over the course of remaining weeks.

Also, transportation of elder artists to OMA continues to be a challenge for us.  We have made improvements in the timeliness of getting artists from the second floor to our first floor art space, including advanced notice of who the OMA artists are to neighborhood staff, prioritizing which artists benefit from coming first, recruiting additional staff to assist with transportation, and checking in with elders in the morning prior to OMA sessions.  However, you never know what situations you are going to find when you are ready to bring the artists down so substitutions happen often.  Fortunately, OMA is popular with past participants and our students have been very flexible so we always have a full house!”

For more information on the innovative programs at The Cedars, contact Nick Viti, OTR/L, Life Enrichment Director at 207-221-7000.

 

 

Food Drive at The Atrium

Posted by Katharine

The residents at The Atrium are having a Thanksgiving Food Drive for families in need from the Ocean Avenue Elementary School in Portland. Staff, residents, families and friends are encouraged to donate non-perishables, such as: stuffing, canned veggies, cranberry sauce, mashed potato mix, quick bread mix, gravy mix. Bring your items to The Atrium by Wednesday November 14.

Tips for Staying Healthy During Flu Season

Posted by Katharine

“Ask The Nurse is a program at The Atrium, independent living at The Cedars that gives our residents the chance to touch base with Nancy Kuliga, RN and ask health questions, get their blood pressure checked, or help them decide if they need to contact their physician. In addition to this twice-weekly clinic, Nancy also oversees the Home Health Services at The Cedars that provides support for our residents. Nancy enjoys getting to know so many of the residents and always looks forward to this part of her week.  Here is her advice on how to stay healthy this flu season:

1. Get the flu vaccine! The best time to get the vaccine is from October through November but it is still useful to get one even if it’s later in the flu season.
2. Wash or sanitize hands thoroughly and often. Frequently washing hands with regular soap is an effective way to get rid of cold and flu germs.
3. Exercise regularly. Moderate exercise boosts the immune system and could reduce risk of cold by a third.
4. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
5. Clean the environment to eliminate germs.
6. Sanitize your mobile devices.
7. Stay away from people who are sick.
8. Avoid crowds and unnecessary travel.
9. Drink plenty of liquids! Drinking plenty of liquids, especially plain water or hot tea, helps the nasal passages stay moist and trap germs.
10. Get added Vitamin C and protein through nutritious foods! Some studies have shown that a little extra Vitamin C (but not too much) can reduce the risk of getting sick.

 

November Learning Wednesday

Posted by Katharine

Join us for a session on COPD Awareness
Wednesday November 14 at 2PM at the Hoffman Center
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease effects 16 million Americans
This workshop will answer questions on how to cope with COPD, provide diet tips and treatment options.

Event at The Atrium Independent Living

Posted by Katharine

Treasures and Antiques with Daniel Buck Soules
Auctioneer and appraiser, Daniel Buck has valued items for the Smithsonian and made numerous appearances on Antiques Roadshow.
Tuesday October 16 at The Atrium.
FMI and to RSVP call 207-221-7100

Groundbreaking for the Sam L. Cohen Households

Posted by Katharine

On Friday September 21, Senator Susan Collins shared remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony and climbed aboard an excavator to deliver the first dig for the Sam L. Cohen Households at The Cedars.

A Bold Change to Transform Senior Care

The Cedars is building the Sam L. Cohen Households for skilled nursing care and introducing a new, vitally needed memory care assisted living, as well as renovating our current neighborhoods in households.

The Household Model of Senior Living

The visionary and person-centered Household Model is earning praise across the country and fast becoming the best practice as an enlightened approach to senior care. The Household Model features a home environment where residents have choices, including when to wake up, what to eat, and how to spend each day, just like we do at home. It’s a model we believe will not only meet and exceed the expectations of our senior population but will also be a shining example to our entire industry and will shape the way forward for the improvement of senior healthcare across the nation.

Senator Collins as Advocate for Aging

As a long-standing advocate for seniors and healthcare, Senator Collins is the chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease where she has worked to increase funding for Alzheimer’s research and to strengthen support for family caregivers. In fact, the Senator shared that her BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act is making headway in Congress and will help establish centers of excellence in public health practices in Alzheimer’s Disease.

No stranger to The Cedars, Senator Collins has met over the past few years with John Watson, Chief Financial Officer at The Cedars, to discuss specific long-term care legislation, and most recently to review Medicaid funding considerations critical to Maine’s poor elderly in advance of the historic health care vote.

For more information on how The Cedars is transforming senior care, go to www.growboldcedars.org.

 

 

 

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.