In addition to The Cedars Pet Therapy program, The Skilled Care Center at The Cedars has partnered with another wonderful animal assisted therapy group. Silent Sidekicks is a nonprofit organization located in Lincoln, Maine that provides animal assisted therapy/activities under the services of trained volunteers to communities throughout the State of Maine and the Canadian Province of New Brunswick. Their mission is to enrich people’s lives and promote health and happiness through positive experiences with animals. Silent Sidekicks accomplishes this by providing comfort, support, and companionship through animal assisted therapy and activities as well as by increasing public awareness of the benefits of the human-animal bond. While at The Cedars, the program will include the use of service dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. All of the volunteers with Silent Sidekicks consist of fully trained human and animal teams. As always the presence of animals enhances well-being and provides a very therapeutic relationship...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Atrium, Featured.
One of the biggest decisions we face as we age is where we are going to live. Whether we remain at home in our familiar surroundings or move to a community among people with similar interests, we want to find joy and thrive at every stage. The fact is that our health and social situations can change as we age and settings that were once comfortable can become challenging and often lonely. Because of this, we need to periodically evaluate how satisfied we are with our living situation and with that, consider whether community living is right for us. The reasons for moving to a retirement community are as countless as the people living in them. Many choose to transition to another state in order to be nearer their families while others move within their own communities to ease the burdens of home ownership. And still others tire of...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Atrium, Featured.
We recently did a workshop with our residents on the basic principles of Progressive Relaxation, with the main benefits of that practice being improved comfort and stress relief. Another complementary exercise is Guided Imagery. Guided Imagery offers similar benefits, but can be more widely used and requires less physical skill; it is one of the more attainable adjunct therapies. Guided Imagery is essentially an elaborate name for directed daydreaming, with the vast possibility for changing one’s mood and sense of wellness. All types of people, from star athletes to patients with significant illness, have successfully used Guided Imagery to focus their thoughts in a positive, healthful direction. Guided Imagery in the healthcare setting can be used as a means of encouraging relaxation, reducing anxiety, and as a method of distraction from discomfort. It is important to remember that the use of Guided Imagery, like other supplemental practices, cannot and...
As we age, our focus so often involves the physical aspects of our lives: getting a good night’s sleep, eating well, and treating what ails us. But our later years, like any other life-cycle, is a time to be celebrated and can be a time for deep fulfillment and inspiration. Janine Fifield, Volunteer Coordinator at The Cedars, recognizes this and has begun offering a discussion group for our residents called Angels on Earth. “We find a quiet area and have anywhere from six to 15 attendants. One Saturday I had several family members join in,” Janine explains. They begin the group by reading a real-life story where the author relates a challenging time or difficult situation in their lives that they were able to overcome, through the help of others or from an unexpected change in events. From there, the conversations flow. The residents offer their own stories about personal...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
“My therapists helped me create a plan and achieve my goals. When I was discharged, I knew I was ready to go home. – Wendy Bush LAST AUGUST, Wendy Bush stepped off the front porch of her son’s Long Island vacation home and missed the bottom step. Her leg was broken. Her son was able to drive her back to Maine for treatment, but the journey back to her own home would take much longer. As the Vice President of Marketing at F.L. Putnam and a member of the Mercy Hospital board of directors, Wendy knows how to assess a difficult situation and make a sure decision. “I was in a cast and under doctor’s orders not to put any weight on my leg,” she recalls. “I knew I would recover much faster with round-the-clock help. My doctor and several friends recommended The Cedars Rehabilitation Center.” The...
If you’re fortunate enough to live into your 90’s – life is looking better and better. Earlier today the Associated Press released a summary of findings from a Denmark study indicating that 95 year olds today are more mentally acute than those of ten years ago. Although they are not sure why, scientists are chalking it up to better nutrition earlier on in life, as well as more intellectual stimulation. At The Cedars Retirement Community, we’re strong believers in offering multiple opportunities for mental challenge and stimulation – both for ourselves and our residents. Members living in our independent living at The Atrium choose which types of programs they want to see. What’s on our recent calendars? Historical lectures by members and guest speakers Current Event Discussion Groups (this group often contacts local representatives) Blackjack, Mahjong Story writing and telling, “Legacy Letters” Trips to OLLI and SAGE classes,...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
Each year at The Cedars Retirement Community, we have the difficult task of choosing one person to represent The Cedars as the volunteer of the year. It presents a challenge, because everyone here has remarkable talents and gifts that they share with our residents. This year we recognized Mary Goff a volunteer whom is originally from Green Bay Wisconsin and has followed us throughout history, volunteering for many years at the Jewish home and now present day here at The Cedars. Currently she visits daily with multiple residents, assists the Life Enrichment department with activities and transport, assists residents from the Osher Inn on Regional Transportation Program (RTP) trips and even accompanies residents to their medical appointments. Her overall volunteer experience spans 30 years and includes, Big Brother Big Sister, Habitat for Humanity, Ingraham Volunteers and she has even helped to establish the Portland Chapter of Pine Tree Epilepsy. She is compassionate, enthusiastic...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Atrium, Featured.
“A Spring Poem” by Mary Lou Martindell, member of The Atrium at The Cedars It’s the Creation story, the reincarnation of all of nature. The snow has cleansed and purified the earth, Trees shrug off their snowy limbs like heavy overcoats. Spring blossoms, almost anemic in their hunger for the sunlight, poke through the snow to the rhythm of their own internal clocks. Velvety pussy willows put out their silvery light visible a long way down the road. Hard wood trees sprout new leaves. Blades of wilted grass turn green. Small animals who’ve been hibernating all winter rise out of the ground and search for a mate. The Spring birds will soon be arriving to seek out their new homes. The silence of nature thick with the aroma of bark and humus, rotting pine needles and the perfume of fresh air. It is a new beginning, a rebirth of...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Atrium, Featured.
“Minus the pre-conceived notions and judgments engendered by our culture about growing old, aging is simply change.” FRED BRANCATO, TAI CHI INSTRUCTOR The mood is as bright as the winter sun streaming through the windows as instructor Fred Brancato greets each member of his weekly Tai Chi class at The Atrium at The Cedars. Gathered in a circle, they begin by sharing with each other and letting go of the preoccupations of the day. As they rise to begin their exercises, they are already lighter. Fred has practiced Tai Chi for the past 21 years, and he guides this class with a voice of quiet assurance. Movements are graceful, yet precise. Breathing is slower, but deeper. Each sequence includes gentle reminders to stay centered, to smile. Everything is in balance. At 76, Fred has the look and bearing of a much younger man, and Tai Chi clearly informs his...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
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: Help...
In addition to The Cedars Pet Therapy program, The Skilled Care Center at The Cedars has partnered with another wonderful animal assisted therapy group. Silent Sidekicks is a nonprofit organization located in Lincoln, Maine that provides animal assisted therapy/activities under the services of trained volunteers to communities throughout the State of Maine and the Canadian Province of New Brunswick. Their mission is to enrich people’s lives and promote health and happiness through positive experiences with animals. Silent Sidekicks accomplishes this by providing comfort, support, and companionship through animal assisted therapy and activities as well as by increasing public awareness of the benefits of the human-animal bond. While at The Cedars, the program will include the use of service dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. All of the volunteers with Silent Sidekicks consist of fully trained human and animal teams. As always the presence of animals enhances well-being and provides a very therapeutic relationship...
One of the biggest decisions we face as we age is where we are going to live. Whether we remain at home in our familiar surroundings or move to a community among people with similar interests, we want to find joy and thrive at every stage. The fact is that our health and social situations can change as we age and settings that were once comfortable can become challenging and often lonely. Because of this, we need to periodically evaluate how satisfied we are with our living situation and with that, consider whether community living is right for us. The reasons for moving to a retirement community are as countless as the people living in them. Many choose to transition to another state in order to be nearer their families while others move within their own communities to ease the burdens of home ownership. And still others tire of...
We recently did a workshop with our residents on the basic principles of Progressive Relaxation, with the main benefits of that practice being improved comfort and stress relief. Another complementary exercise is Guided Imagery. Guided Imagery offers similar benefits, but can be more widely used and requires less physical skill; it is one of the more attainable adjunct therapies. Guided Imagery is essentially an elaborate name for directed daydreaming, with the vast possibility for changing one’s mood and sense of wellness. All types of people, from star athletes to patients with significant illness, have successfully used Guided Imagery to focus their thoughts in a positive, healthful direction. Guided Imagery in the healthcare setting can be used as a means of encouraging relaxation, reducing anxiety, and as a method of distraction from discomfort. It is important to remember that the use of Guided Imagery, like other supplemental practices, cannot and...
As we age, our focus so often involves the physical aspects of our lives: getting a good night’s sleep, eating well, and treating what ails us. But our later years, like any other life-cycle, is a time to be celebrated and can be a time for deep fulfillment and inspiration. Janine Fifield, Volunteer Coordinator at The Cedars, recognizes this and has begun offering a discussion group for our residents called Angels on Earth. “We find a quiet area and have anywhere from six to 15 attendants. One Saturday I had several family members join in,” Janine explains. They begin the group by reading a real-life story where the author relates a challenging time or difficult situation in their lives that they were able to overcome, through the help of others or from an unexpected change in events. From there, the conversations flow. The residents offer their own stories about personal...
If you’re fortunate enough to live into your 90’s – life is looking better and better. Earlier today the Associated Press released a summary of findings from a Denmark study indicating that 95 year olds today are more mentally acute than those of ten years ago. Although they are not sure why, scientists are chalking it up to better nutrition earlier on in life, as well as more intellectual stimulation. At The Cedars Retirement Community, we’re strong believers in offering multiple opportunities for mental challenge and stimulation – both for ourselves and our residents. Members living in our independent living at The Atrium choose which types of programs they want to see. What’s on our recent calendars? Historical lectures by members and guest speakers Current Event Discussion Groups (this group often contacts local representatives) Blackjack, Mahjong Story writing and telling, “Legacy Letters” Trips to OLLI and SAGE classes,...
“A Spring Poem” by Mary Lou Martindell, member of The Atrium at The Cedars It’s the Creation story, the reincarnation of all of nature. The snow has cleansed and purified the earth, Trees shrug off their snowy limbs like heavy overcoats. Spring blossoms, almost anemic in their hunger for the sunlight, poke through the snow to the rhythm of their own internal clocks. Velvety pussy willows put out their silvery light visible a long way down the road. Hard wood trees sprout new leaves. Blades of wilted grass turn green. Small animals who’ve been hibernating all winter rise out of the ground and search for a mate. The Spring birds will soon be arriving to seek out their new homes. The silence of nature thick with the aroma of bark and humus, rotting pine needles and the perfume of fresh air. It is a new beginning, a rebirth of...
“Minus the pre-conceived notions and judgments engendered by our culture about growing old, aging is simply change.” FRED BRANCATO, TAI CHI INSTRUCTOR The mood is as bright as the winter sun streaming through the windows as instructor Fred Brancato greets each member of his weekly Tai Chi class at The Atrium at The Cedars. Gathered in a circle, they begin by sharing with each other and letting go of the preoccupations of the day. As they rise to begin their exercises, they are already lighter. Fred has practiced Tai Chi for the past 21 years, and he guides this class with a voice of quiet assurance. Movements are graceful, yet precise. Breathing is slower, but deeper. Each sequence includes gentle reminders to stay centered, to smile. Everything is in balance. At 76, Fred has the look and bearing of a much younger man, and Tai Chi clearly informs his...