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In anticipation of the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, our residents met with Gillian Graham of the Portland Press Herald to reminisce about hearing the news 76 years ago today – and how it shaped their lives in the years after. Thank you, Gillian Graham for this wonderful article. Visit PPH for the full article. She was 7 and standing outside her house in Hilo, Hawaii, with her father as he prepared to leave for a morning church service when a neighbor came running into the yard with news of the Japanese attack that would leave 2,403 Americans dead and push the United States to enter World War II. Two hundred miles away from Pearl Harbor, Cliff’s family wasn’t in immediate danger as the bombs fell, but realities of war surrounded the young girl in the months and years to follow. Seventy-six years after the day that President Franklin D....
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Angie Hunt, Chief Operating Officer at The Cedars, brought her expertise and enthusiasm for therapeutic arts to the Indiana State Department of Health Conference this fall. Cutting edge arts programming has made a big difference for dementia patients at The Cedars. Opening Minds Through Art, a new collaboration with students from the Maine College of Art and the University of Southern Maine Occupational Therapy department, and our ongoing Music and Memory program, are two of the ways The Cedars reduces the need for antipsychotic medications and increases quality of life. Angie shared ways for other facilities to develop similar programs and ensure their sustainability and...
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NOVEMBER 1, BOSTON – John Watson, Chief Financial Officer at The Cedars, received the Outstanding Advocacy Award as friends, family and thousands of Leading Age colleagues cheered him on. “It’s about time,” trustee George Marcus stated. John has been advocating for Maine’s non-profit nursing homes for years, and after educating legislators and stakeholders on the relationship between quality care and staffing, he was tremendously instrumental in bringing $25 million to Maine’s nursing homes. “John has been a persistent advocate for folks who need to be understood and appreciated,” State Representative Peter Stuckey shares about Maine’s seniors with long term care needs. John started working at The Cedars when we were the Jewish Home for Aged on Munjoy Hill. He developed a tremendous command and understanding of the complex nature of long term care finances, and soon became involved in advocacy, thanks in great part to the programs Leading Age has offered. We are so proud of John...
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WHEN Mary Carol Pochebit began experiencing increasingly severe medical and mobility issues, she and her husband, John, faced a difficult choice. They wanted to stay together in the home they had shared for over 50 years. But Mary Carol needed more assistance with the activities of daily living than John could provide, and more acute medical care than she was eligible for at home. “We have a big, close family,” John explains. “But only one of my sons lives close by. I couldn’t even get Mary to her doctor appointments without calling him.” Like many seniors, the Pochebits had many apprehensions and misconceptions about nursing homes like The Skilled Care Center at The Cedars. Today, they are so glad they didn’t let those fears keep them from finding Mary the care she needed. Because Mary had a customized care plan from our medical director, 24/7 support from our nursing...
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How to Serve a Quarter-Million Meals a Year and Savor Every Moment “A full plate tells me someone who needed nutrition didn’t get it and will have to make it up with supplements. That’s unacceptable to me. An empty plate tells me someone enjoyed a real meal, made from natural local ingredients with real care.” – David Kessler When Wendy Bush was admitted to The Cedars senior living community, she worried about maintaining her weight while recovering from a broken leg. “The food at The Cedars is wonderful!” she declares. “When I started looking forward to the next meal, I knew I might be in trouble. Thank goodness for the portion control.” She really means thank goodness for David Kessler, Director of Dining Services, and his team. When David arrived at The Cedars in 1994, he served 102 residents with a staff of 18. Today, David oversees the preparation, production...
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With the beautiful summer weather upon us, many members at The Cedars Retirement Community are spending more time outside – taking walks, golfing, dining in our courtyard. During these special months, seniors need to take extra care to avoid sunburn and dehydration. The following are some tips from our Wellness Expert, Sharon Leddy-Smart to stay safe and healthy. Watch the Weather: when the temperatures soar, stay in the air conditioning and if you need to venture outdoors, do so in the early morning of late afternoon hours. Drink Plenty of Water: adults should drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, and in the warmer weather, drink more. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to start sipping, and try to avoid alcohol, sugary drinks and caffeine when out in the sun. Dress for the Heat: wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes and be sure to don a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Wear Sunscreen: be...
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Health and Wellness: Taking Care of Our Hearts February is Health Healthy Month and a great opportunity to take inventory of our heart wellness. As we age our hearts become less efficient and have to work harder to pump the blood. Here are several ways we can promote heart health taken from livestrong.com. If you have any questions about healthy living, stop in and see Sharon Leddy-Smart Lifestyle Coordinator at The Atrium at The Cedars. Exercise: Exercise is related to your cardiovascular health, and as an older person it’s important for you to be active. Exercise 30 minutes daily, even breaking it into three 10-minute sessions. Even moderate exercise, such as brisk walking 30 minutes daily, provides many benefits to your heart health. Exercise can improve circulation, help you lose weight, aid in smoking cessation, improve blood cholesterol levels, help manage stress, reduce coronary heart disease in women by...
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With the flu season in full swing, The Cedars residents and staff are well equipped with their vaccinations and the enforcement of a community-wide regime of excellent hygiene through frequent hand washing and good respiratory etiquette. Until the season behind us, The Cedars asks that visitors and staff who are showing any signs of cough, fever or congestion to stay home for 24 to 48 hours after their symptoms have resolved. To stay ahead of the flu season curve, The Cedars Director of Nursing, Susan Dionne-Jones has been in frequent contact with the Maine Center for Disease Control as well as local hospitals for updates. To protect yourself and others, we recommend: Washing your hands often with warm, soapy water Keeping your hands away from your face When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue or your upper sleeve or elbow Do your best to stay...
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Health and Wellness: November is Diabetes Awareness Month by Dianne Vigue, Resident Wellness Manager at The Osher Inn, assisted living at The Cedars Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of frequent urination, frequent thirst and increased hunger. There are two main types of diabetes that affect seniors. Type I results from the body’s failure to produce insulin and requires the individual to inject insulin or wear and insulin pump. Type II results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, which used to be called “non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus”. Both are chronic conditions and their accompanying complications can be treated and kept under control with the...
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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...
