Did you know that The Cedars is recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement – IHI as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence. The Cedars is recognized by IHI as a leader in this rapidly growing movement committed to care of older adults that is: • Guided by an essential set of age-friendly, evidence-based practices across the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility); • Causes no harms; and • Is consistent with What Matters to the older adult and their family. This is an exciting movement and there is much to be proud of as, together, we improve the health and health care of older adults....
Under the auspices of Spiritual Care Services of Maine, Sally Thomas has been providing chaplain services at The Cedars since June of 2023. She visits each of four Cedars neighborhoods once a month, offering both one on one pastoral care and group conversation. In each neighborhood she works with the Lifestyles Managers to help her understand what might be interesting or useful and then makes plans for conversation for each setting. Like many chaplains she knows, much of her training was gotten in a medical setting–in her case, during the many years she worked as an RN in oncology. Her monthly visits to the Atrium follow a pattern: first she checks with participants giving each a chance to share what’s on their mind; then she presents a story, usually with material props of some kind, to provide a basis for spiritual conversation. (At a recent meeting, in telling an...
Winter blues? Helpful tips for seasonal depression Fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may be struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is sometimes referred to as Seasonal Depression. It is a real struggle, and, for some, it can be debilitating. People typically develop symptoms of SAD during the fall and winter months. Although there is no definitive answer why some develop SAD, it is said to be linked to shorter days and less exposure to sunlight. This lack of sun is said to cause a chemical change in our brains. That, coupled with unpredictable weather, less social activities, and the stress of the holidays, can certainly lead someone to feel less than their best. When it comes to your mental and physical health you should consult a health care professional before trying any new form of therapy,...
On July 25, 2023, Dr. Susan Wehry spoke about Optimal Engagement at a cocktail party held at the home of Judy Glickman Lauder and Leonard Lauder. Bernard Osher was recognized for his contribution to this important project. The Cedars partnered with the University of New England (UNE) to study better supports for people with dementia. An interdisciplinary group of UNE graduate students in healthcare fields dug deep into scientific literature to identify best practices, evidence-based strategies, and gaps in knowledge under the direction of Susan Wehry, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, UNE College of Medicine, who co-leads the initiative with Angela Hunt, RPT, MS, our Chief Innovation Officer. The team’s recommendations will be reviewed by panels which include people living with dementia. This feedback and insight will inform the development of widely accepted, person-centered best practices that will have a transformative impact on older adults living with dementia and their...
Posted in our blog on by Janine Fifield& filed under Latest News.
At the Lunder Memory Care Assisted Living Household, we believe that people with an Alzheimer’s and/or a dementia diagnosis, can continue to engage in meaningful activities and participate in their overall health and wellness when receiving support from healthcare partners trained in their specific needs. For each person, the dementia journey will be different, and the needs will change along the way with time. At the Lunder Memory Care Household, we believe that through careful and thoughtful evaluation and intervention, we can anticipate and prepare for predicted changes in cognitive function. Our interdisciplinary team approach provides opportunities for successful socialization, choice, personal care, and self-direction, all within the environment of home. Care is organized around resident choices and preferences for the day. Our program identifies strengths and allows for resident positive interactions enhancing resident self-worth and life satisfaction. Commitment: The Lunder Memory Care Program Offers residents a daily person-centered...
Posted in our blog on by Janine Fifield& filed under Atrium, Latest News.
Exercising in the water is low impact and delivers tremendous benefits to your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, not to mention, it can be a lot of fun! When you exercise in the water you are generally able to do a lot more than your body may allow on dry land. Along with some increased flexibility and balance, the push and pull of the water allow both increased muscle training and a built-in safety barrier for joints. The water also helps to reduce lactic acid buildup and offers a gentler natural resistance while training. Aquacising at The Atrium is offered three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The class is a go at your own pace and begins at 9:15am and lasts until 10:00am. The trainer stands outside of the water giving instructions and motivating the participants. Join a class today! ...
The Cedars is pleased to be the recipient of The Age friendly Health Systems award. Recognized as a leader in the rapidly growing movement committed to care for older adults that is: · Guided by an essential set of age friendly evidence-based practices across the 4 M’s (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility). · Causes no harm and is consistent with What Matters to the older adult and their family. The Cedars continues its 93- year commitment and legacy of providing outstanding care for older adults. We are excited to be part of a nationwide movement to improve health care for older adults. Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United...
When you think of senior living communities, do you imagine playing bingo all day? Think again! From day trips to exciting destinations around southern Maine to sensory gardening, reiki massage, and wine and cheese parties, The Cedars finds fresh ways to keep older adults active, engaged, and connected to each other and the world. Yes, you can join a rollicking bingo game at The Cedars, (Free Money Monday Bingo is cutthroat competitive, so bring your game face!) But activities for seniors at The Cedars go far beyond bingo. Our life enrichment team fills our assisted living activities calendar with vibrant, diverse, and lively opportunities to socialize with others, learn new skills and find new passions, improve health and cognitive functioning, experience the natural world, and make meaningful contributions to the wider community. Here are just some of the unexpected and innovative ways our residents make the most of this...
Posted in our blog on by Janine Fifield& filed under Latest News.
The Cedars was selected out of many long-term care communities to participate in the Maine Dementia Care Partnership (MDCP) free, virtual education program, Addressing Root Causes of Cognitive Decline: A Guide to Preventing and Reducing Antipsychotics and How a New Maine Dementia Care Toolkit Can Help. Held on February 8 & 15, 2022, the program introduced the Partnership’s new resident-centered dementia care toolkit entitled “Is it for me, or for you?” Resident-Centered Dementia Care Toolkit . The toolkit is the result of grant-funded work by Partnership members and clinicians, over the course of several months. It provides a conceptual framework, roadmap, and step-by-step guide to help nursing homes successfully reduce off-label antipsychotic drug use within their settings. It includes strategies for educating and collaborating with various constituencies, fostering community wide commitment to reducing A/P utilization, using data to inform decision making, developing dementia care competencies for staff, and identifying...
Strategies to Help Your Parents Feel at Home in a Retirement Community Moving your parent(s) into a retirement community can be a very difficult process. We’ve met with hundreds of families and have put together some of the best tips we’ve seen for children to make the transition easier. Your family worked together to help your aging parents make a big decision: moving into a retirement community, like assisted living or long- term skilled nursing care. Their lives are about to become safer, simpler, and more rewarding, and the transition to a retirement community does not need to be stressful. Our quick tips guide can get you started on moving elders with ease. Yes, moving a parent to a retirement community is a big change—a change for the better. These benefits include more opportunities to socialize, make new friends and engage in meaningful activities, with caring supportive staff...
Did you know that The Cedars is recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement – IHI as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence. The Cedars is recognized by IHI as a leader in this rapidly growing movement committed to care of older adults that is: • Guided by an essential set of age-friendly, evidence-based practices across the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility); • Causes no harms; and • Is consistent with What Matters to the older adult and their family. This is an exciting movement and there is much to be proud of as, together, we improve the health and health care of older adults....
Under the auspices of Spiritual Care Services of Maine, Sally Thomas has been providing chaplain services at The Cedars since June of 2023. She visits each of four Cedars neighborhoods once a month, offering both one on one pastoral care and group conversation. In each neighborhood she works with the Lifestyles Managers to help her understand what might be interesting or useful and then makes plans for conversation for each setting. Like many chaplains she knows, much of her training was gotten in a medical setting–in her case, during the many years she worked as an RN in oncology. Her monthly visits to the Atrium follow a pattern: first she checks with participants giving each a chance to share what’s on their mind; then she presents a story, usually with material props of some kind, to provide a basis for spiritual conversation. (At a recent meeting, in telling an...
On July 25, 2023, Dr. Susan Wehry spoke about Optimal Engagement at a cocktail party held at the home of Judy Glickman Lauder and Leonard Lauder. Bernard Osher was recognized for his contribution to this important project. The Cedars partnered with the University of New England (UNE) to study better supports for people with dementia. An interdisciplinary group of UNE graduate students in healthcare fields dug deep into scientific literature to identify best practices, evidence-based strategies, and gaps in knowledge under the direction of Susan Wehry, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, UNE College of Medicine, who co-leads the initiative with Angela Hunt, RPT, MS, our Chief Innovation Officer. The team’s recommendations will be reviewed by panels which include people living with dementia. This feedback and insight will inform the development of widely accepted, person-centered best practices that will have a transformative impact on older adults living with dementia and their...
At the Lunder Memory Care Assisted Living Household, we believe that people with an Alzheimer’s and/or a dementia diagnosis, can continue to engage in meaningful activities and participate in their overall health and wellness when receiving support from healthcare partners trained in their specific needs. For each person, the dementia journey will be different, and the needs will change along the way with time. At the Lunder Memory Care Household, we believe that through careful and thoughtful evaluation and intervention, we can anticipate and prepare for predicted changes in cognitive function. Our interdisciplinary team approach provides opportunities for successful socialization, choice, personal care, and self-direction, all within the environment of home. Care is organized around resident choices and preferences for the day. Our program identifies strengths and allows for resident positive interactions enhancing resident self-worth and life satisfaction. Commitment: The Lunder Memory Care Program Offers residents a daily person-centered...
Exercising in the water is low impact and delivers tremendous benefits to your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, not to mention, it can be a lot of fun! When you exercise in the water you are generally able to do a lot more than your body may allow on dry land. Along with some increased flexibility and balance, the push and pull of the water allow both increased muscle training and a built-in safety barrier for joints. The water also helps to reduce lactic acid buildup and offers a gentler natural resistance while training. Aquacising at The Atrium is offered three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The class is a go at your own pace and begins at 9:15am and lasts until 10:00am. The trainer stands outside of the water giving instructions and motivating the participants. Join a class today! ...
The Cedars is pleased to be the recipient of The Age friendly Health Systems award. Recognized as a leader in the rapidly growing movement committed to care for older adults that is: · Guided by an essential set of age friendly evidence-based practices across the 4 M’s (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility). · Causes no harm and is consistent with What Matters to the older adult and their family. The Cedars continues its 93- year commitment and legacy of providing outstanding care for older adults. We are excited to be part of a nationwide movement to improve health care for older adults. Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United...
When you think of senior living communities, do you imagine playing bingo all day? Think again! From day trips to exciting destinations around southern Maine to sensory gardening, reiki massage, and wine and cheese parties, The Cedars finds fresh ways to keep older adults active, engaged, and connected to each other and the world. Yes, you can join a rollicking bingo game at The Cedars, (Free Money Monday Bingo is cutthroat competitive, so bring your game face!) But activities for seniors at The Cedars go far beyond bingo. Our life enrichment team fills our assisted living activities calendar with vibrant, diverse, and lively opportunities to socialize with others, learn new skills and find new passions, improve health and cognitive functioning, experience the natural world, and make meaningful contributions to the wider community. Here are just some of the unexpected and innovative ways our residents make the most of this...
The Cedars was selected out of many long-term care communities to participate in the Maine Dementia Care Partnership (MDCP) free, virtual education program, Addressing Root Causes of Cognitive Decline: A Guide to Preventing and Reducing Antipsychotics and How a New Maine Dementia Care Toolkit Can Help. Held on February 8 & 15, 2022, the program introduced the Partnership’s new resident-centered dementia care toolkit entitled “Is it for me, or for you?” Resident-Centered Dementia Care Toolkit . The toolkit is the result of grant-funded work by Partnership members and clinicians, over the course of several months. It provides a conceptual framework, roadmap, and step-by-step guide to help nursing homes successfully reduce off-label antipsychotic drug use within their settings. It includes strategies for educating and collaborating with various constituencies, fostering community wide commitment to reducing A/P utilization, using data to inform decision making, developing dementia care competencies for staff, and identifying...
Strategies to Help Your Parents Feel at Home in a Retirement Community Moving your parent(s) into a retirement community can be a very difficult process. We’ve met with hundreds of families and have put together some of the best tips we’ve seen for children to make the transition easier. Your family worked together to help your aging parents make a big decision: moving into a retirement community, like assisted living or long- term skilled nursing care. Their lives are about to become safer, simpler, and more rewarding, and the transition to a retirement community does not need to be stressful. Our quick tips guide can get you started on moving elders with ease. Yes, moving a parent to a retirement community is a big change—a change for the better. These benefits include more opportunities to socialize, make new friends and engage in meaningful activities, with caring supportive staff...