Best Retirement Community: Therapy Award for The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

Angie Hunt, Director at The Cedars and Lisa Clark, Occupational Therapist

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 caring for people in the areas of intellectual, leisure, physical, social, and spiritual health.

Over the past two years Angie has worked with occupational therapists in leading the development of a Living Well With Dementia program at The Cedars – an innovative outpatient wellness program for people with dementia.  As Angie has facilitated this project and helped bring it to fruition, she has tirelessly advocated for and recognized the contributions of occupational therapy.  She has recognized and encouraged the development of the program from the perspective of the occupational therapy philosophy.  Angie has valued the importance of occupational therapy’s emphasis on engagement, meaningfulness, and participation in life activities that are the hallmark of our profession.  She holds a strong value of person-centered and ethical care, which makes working with her very rewarding.

Angie’s support of and recognition of occupational therapy has been propelled forward by her incredible energy, upbeat attitude and respect for the importance of the quality of life of elders.  Her smile and laugh and contagious positive attitude have all been key contributions in the development of this program.   I labeled her my “Yes, let’s do it” Boss!  She has honored the profession of occupational therapy by her strong recognition of its significance in our current health care arena, and put it to use in a unique, creative, and valuable program.

I am deeply appreciative of Angie’s embracing this viewpoint in our work together.  In thirty years of practice, I have met few people who have her respectful and engaging collaborative style of energizing leadership. There are few people in the state who demonstrate and express the worth of our profession, more enthusiastically than Angie.  I hope she is honored for her hard work by being chosen for this award.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa L. Clark, MS, OTR/L

 

Best Retirement Community: COPD Awareness

Posted by Katharine

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:

  1.  Help Them Quit Smoking.  And if you smoke, don’t smoke inside the house or anywhere near someone with COPD.
  2. Avoid Wearing Heavily-Scented Beauty Products.  Perfumes, hairsprays, body lotions with heavy scents can irritate their already inflamed lungs.
  3. Know What To Do During Breathing Emergencies. Exacerbation of COPD is usually accompanied by difficulty breathing.  Here are guidelines for when to call the doctor.
  4. Encourage Regular Exercise. Exercise helps people with COPD to feel stronger – start slowly and work your way up to longer periods.
  5. Prepare Healthy Meals and Snacks. To help boost energy and ease breathing, diets rich in fruits and vegetables will help.  Here are guidelines for a healthy COPD diet.
  6. Promote Energy Conservation.  Because people with COPD are literally drained of their energy, limiting energy use by staying on one floor, or keeping certain items within reach, will help.
  7. Allow the Running of the Fan or Air Conditioner. Many people with COPD find that air blowing directly on them makes their breathing easier. 
  8. Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products. Harsh fumes can aggravate symptoms.  Be sure there is enough ventilation when cleaning.
  9. Improve Your Indoor Air.  Air purifiers with HEPA filters can help immensely, as well as getting rid of other chemicals often found in homes.  Here are some helpful guidelines for improving indoor air quality.
  10. Help Spread COPD Awareness. Learn more about the disease, treatment and prevention here.

 

Best Retirement Community: Senior Artists at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

How will you spend time during your retirement?  Will you delve into a lifelong interest or pursue a new one? 

At The Atrium at The Cedars retirement community, the members are mixing the old with the new.  First-time endeavors include senior college courses, Tai Chi or yoga classes.  For many at The Cedars, a lifelong interest is painting: portraits, landscapes, still life … anything.  These members who make up our very own ‘artist’s colony’ just love to paint. 

At this week’s Fall Member Art Show, the proof was on the walls.  The members living at The Atrium kindly shared their works, and the visitors, staff, and residents were amazed at the talent and perspectives of the residents at The Atrium.  As passionate as they are, they were equally distinct.  One member’s paintings evoke scenes from children’s literature, while another perfectly depicts Maine winters. 

The display provided insight into our members’ life experiences, intense imagination, and most importantly, continued passion for life.  These seniors aren’t slowing down – au contraire, they are actively living this next phase of their lives!

Memory Support Group at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

Our next Memory Support Group for individuals suffering from the early stages of dementia and their families, friends will take place on

Thursday November 8, 2012 at 3:30 PM

FMI please call 207-221-7150

The Cedars Auxiliary Donors Dinner 2012

Posted by Holly

A Woman of Valor: Celebrating Cathy Cohen’s Wisdom, Generosity and Leadership

By Paige Roth, Development Assistant at The Cedars

Every October, The Cedars Auxiliary hosts an annual Donors Dinner to gather Auxiliary members for a night of fun, food and reflection. The 2012 Donors Dinner was held in honor of Mrs. Cathy B. Cohen, a longtime Auxiliary Board member and volunteer.

Cathy B. Cohen and Family

Cathy B. Cohen and Family

Cathy retired from The Cedars Auxiliary Board of Directors this spring after decades of service to the Auxiliary, to residents of The Cedars and to the greater Portland community. A registered nurse whose late husband, Charles “Cuddy” Cohen, was a trustee of The Cedars, Cathy joined the Auxiliary Board in 1994, becoming Vice President of Resident Events.

As is tradition, the first segment of Donors Dinner was devoted to Sherry Hour, during which members caught up with old friends, enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and entered to win one of four fabulous raffle prizes – a fox fur trimmed pashmina donated by Dino International Furs, a Coach handbag donated by Zelda Greenspun, a day of beauty donated by Akari Day Spa, or a “night out in Portland” – dinner at Walter’s Restaurant followed by an overnight stay and breakfast for two at the Hilton Garden Inn.

With Cathy Cohen and her family seated at the head table, dinner guests tucked into a delicious meal prepared by The Cedars’ own kitchen and served by volunteer waiters – husbands and sons of Auxiliary members – looking dapper in their bowties. Auxiliary President Suzie Berzinis kicked off the dinner program with a warm welcome for her guests and introduced Rabbi Carolyn Braun, who performed the invocation. Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO of The Cedars, delivered a lovely speech lauding Cathy Cohen’s contributions to The Cedars community and her open, giving spirit. Ms. Callnan went on to read a letter to Cathy Cohen from William L. Caron, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maine Medical Center, who was unable to attend the event but intended to honor Cathy’s career running the operating room there. The audience was treated to a slide show of photographs put together with the help of Cathy’s friends and family. The crowd giggled at black and white images of Cathy as a chubby baby, gasped at her beauty as a young nurse, and smiled knowingly at familiar images of “The Duffettes,” Cathy’s golf team, regulars at the Auxiliary golf tournament since its inception.

It was truly a joyous, satisfying evening for The Cedars Auxiliary. As guests headed out into the October night, all were in agreement that there couldn’t have been a more deserving honoree than Cathy Cohen. Her living example of wisdom, generosity and leadership will be a tough act to follow.

Sherry Hour Sponsors

Rena Levy Becker

Judy Bertram 

Suzie Berzinis

Nancy E. Bogg & Mark Kiefner, in memory of Sally Bogg

Eleanor Brainin-O’Marra

Lee Broder

Cathy B. Cohen, in memory of C.A. “Cuddy” Cohen

Phyllis H. Cohen, in honor of Suzie Berzinis and the good work she does for Cedars

Mildred Kaplan Drees           

Diane A. Dussault     

Ginny & Wayne Ecklund, in honor of Rena & Michael Becker

Dee Emple, in memory of Donna Dionne Hubbard

Katie & Jim Freilinger, in honor of Kathy Callnan

Susan Garson 

Elizabeth & Sidney Geller    

Renee Givner & Jeff Forbes 

Judith & Albert Glickman, in memory of Joseph Brenner

Lynn Goldfarb, in honor of Matthew Goldfarb’s retirement

Marjorie Goodman, in honor of my ten grandchildren

Zelda Greenspun

Sheryl Haas   

Candy Henriksson, in memory of Karl and Dolores Henriksson

Fran & Arthur Jacobson, in memory of Stephen Brent Jacobson

Ethel Koocher, in honor of my new great-great granddaughter, Emma Claire

Betsy & Alan Levenson, in honor of our daughter, Suzie Levenson Berzinis

Lisa Meyer

Bonnie Lee Nelson

Mary Pennell Nelson 

Bette Novick, in honor of our grandchildren: Henry Max, Jack Ronen, Alexander Remy, Martin Phiroz, and Callie Violet

Doris Pollack 

Hilary Rapkin & Will Stiles, in honor of Lenore Rapkin

Lenore Rapkin

Nancy Ravin              

Sara Lee Rosen, in memory of Jack Rosen

Cindi Schaab, in honor of Cathy Cohen

Susie Schwartz, in honor of Zelda Greenspun’s 90th birthday

Barbara Shapiro

Tanya Shapiro

Beth Sheppard           

Nancy Shuman, in memory of Gertrude Lerman

Janine Ortiz Smestad

Joan Willis, in memory of Stephen Willis 

Janie Zimmerman     

Dinner Sponsors

Harbor Fish

Lepage Bakeries

The Good Life Market

Event Sponsors

Akari

Dino International Furs

Zelda Greenspun

Hilton Garden Inn

Walter’s Restaurant

And thanks to our great volunteers:

Dee Emple, Chair

Marjorie Ferris

Rena Becker

Rabbi Carolyn Braun

Renee Givner

Candy Henriksson

Recognizing Great Staff: Care Champions at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

By Beth Sheppard, Director of Development, The Cedars retirement community

“There are eight million stories in the naked city; this has been one of them.” 

While we don’t serve eight million people here at The Cedars (there are 63 skilled care beds and about 800 rehabilitation admissions yearly at the Hoffman Center), every single person we serve has a story.

Very often, these involve families and friends.  We thought we’d share two recent letters to Cedars CEO Kathy Callnan, containing some of those stories.

“We would like to thank all of the staff The Cedars. We did not expect to find a real home for Mom, but that’s what you have become to her. What sets your facility above and apart fro the rest is your people: In everything they do, the message is one of sincere and genuine concern, caring attention and dedication to the feelings and well-being of their patient.” – Son of a current resident on our skilled care unit

“It’s hard to know where to begin, so I’ll just say thank you so much for all the wonderful care and compassion and patience with my foibles. I’m glad to go home but I will miss you all!” – From a rehab patient at the Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center

Another great way to say thank you to exceptional staff is with our Cedars Care Champions program. A Care Champion can be anyone who made a resident’s stay at The Cedars more pleasant: a nurse, therapist, or any other employee.  Each staff member singled out by a patient or family is publically recognized with a special badge which identifies them as a champion caregiver.

Gifts to The Cedars through The Cedars Care Champions program are tax deductible and are invested to provide the most up-to-date care for those who needs we serve. You can make such a gift online or by calling us at (207) 221-7002.

Best Retirement Community: Five Ways to Improve Your Bones

Posted by Angie

Caring for Aging Parents: Five Ways to Improve Your Bones

Although health bones and joints are important to people of all ages, they are a key focus in senior citizen health, and Osteoporosis a major concern for all seniors .

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.  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.   

Prevention of the condition and patient education are key to reducing the problems associated with osteoporosis.  By following these guidelines, you can help prevent bone disease and injury:   

  1. Exercise. Weight-bearing exercise is best, and walking, even short distances, is a great way to maintain mobility and bone density.  Isometric, resistance, and range-of-motion exercises are very helpful in strengthening muscles to keep you more flexible, and improve muscle tone. Be sure to talk to your physician and a physical therapist before beginning an exercise program.
  1. Quit smoking. Smoking greatly diminishes circulation, which is critically important for bone health.  Another little-known fact – drinking excessive alcohol and caffeine can increase calcium loss in your urine. Moderation in all things is important!
  1. Move smart. Use proper body mechanics when lifting, standing, and bending.  Using large leg muscles rather than your back prevents spinal injury.  Make use of a cane or walker for stability in walking as recommended by your doctor or therapist.    
  1. Take your medicine. Calcium may be ordered by your doctor as well as vitamin D, hormone replacement therapy, calcitonin or one of several newer drugs that help in bone maintenance. Add foods rich in vitamin D such as eggs, fish, chicken, liver, as well as cereals and breads, and fortified milk. Getting outside in the sun for a brief time each day, while wearing sunscreen, helps produce vitamin D which in turn metabolizes calcium.
  1. Fall-prevention strategies.  Help to maintain a clutter-free environment in your apartment, use a walker or cane whenever walking.  Don’t try and reach or stoop to pick up items out of your reach – ask for assistance.  Take your time climbing steps, getting on or out of the van, and remain aware of the furniture or other people around you.   

By taking steps to prevent bone disease as well as fractures, you can alter the course of your health and life – take good care of yourself!

Statistics are from the “United States Bone and Joint Decade Project” and “Medical – Surgical Nursing” by Donna D. Ignatavicius.