A diagnosis of early-to-moderate memory loss often feels like a door closing. Families frequently describe a shrinking world—friends stop calling, social outings become stressful, and the focus shifts entirely to what is being lost. At The Cedars, we believe the conversation should be about what remains. Our Mindful Connections program is designed to open those doors back up, proving that a diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of a vibrant social life. A National Standard for Our Portland Community Our commitment to this mission was recently reinforced when The Cedars was awarded a $125,000 Community-Dementia Care Research Promotion (CDRI) grant from the Alzheimer’s Association. As one of only 41 organizations in the United States selected for this honor, the grant serves as a powerful “seal of approval” for our work. For our local families, this national recognition represents a promise: that we will continue to expand our “memory-capable”...
The Cedars Learning Community is proud to welcome Dr. Susan Wehry as our new Medical Advisor. A board-certified Gero psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Wehry is a nationally recognized leader in aging and dementia care. She currently directs AgingME, Maine’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, and serves as Associate Clinical Professor at the University of New England. Dr. Wehry will guide research, workforce development, clinical standards, and resident programming at The Cedars. Her expertise will be especially impactful in our Mindful Connections program, translating evidence-based dementia engagement strategies into meaningful experiences. We are honored to have Dr. Wehry to help advance our mission and shape the future of geriatric care....
The Cedars’ community-based Mindful Connections Program has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Association’s Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI). This funding will enhance the quality and availability of dementia-specific respite care for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers in the Greater Portland area. The Cedars is one of just 41 organizations selected from more than 200 applicants nationwide to receive this competitive grant. The funding will support the expansion of Mindful Connections, a program that uses innovative, research-based therapies tailored to each participant’s unique life experiences and preferences. The program helps older adults with memory loss live in the moment with strength, purpose, and joy. Recognizing that dementia can accelerate both physical and mental decline, The Cedars takes a holistic approach to care, addressing six dimensions of wellness: physical, intellectual, occupational, social, spiritual, and emotional. Mindful Connections is designed for individuals in the early to moderate stages of memory loss...
The Cedars Learning Community is proud to welcome Dr. Susan Wehry as our new Medical Advisor. A board-certified Gero psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Wehry is a nationally recognized leader in aging and dementia care. She currently directs AgingME, Maine’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, and serves as Associate Clinical Professor at the University of New England. Dr. Wehry will guide research, workforce development, clinical standards, and resident programming at The Cedars. Her expertise will be especially impactful in our Mindful Connections program, translating evidence-based dementia engagement strategies into meaningful experiences. We are honored to have Dr. Wehry to help advance our mission and shape the future of geriatric care....
The Cedars’ community-based Mindful Connections Program has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Association’s Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI). This funding will enhance the quality and availability of dementia-specific respite care for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers in the Greater Portland area. The Cedars is one of just 41 organizations selected from more than 200 applicants nationwide to receive this competitive grant. The funding will support the expansion of Mindful Connections, a program that uses innovative, research-based therapies tailored to each participant’s unique life experiences and preferences. The program helps older adults with memory loss live in the moment with strength, purpose, and joy. Recognizing that dementia can accelerate both physical and mental decline, The Cedars takes a holistic approach to care, addressing six dimensions of wellness: physical, intellectual, occupational, social, spiritual, and emotional. Mindful Connections is designed for individuals in the early to moderate stages of memory loss...