Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Latest News.
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...
Posted in our blog on by Angie& filed under Latest News.
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: Exercise. Weight-bearing exercise is best, and walking, even short distances, is a great way to...
Posted in our blog on by Angie& filed under Latest News.
The Healing Effects of Pet Therapy By Janine Fifield, Life Enrichment Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator at The Cedars Retirement Community “Love is the most important medicine and pets are one of nature’s best sources of affection.” – Anonymous Most of us are already aware of the wonderful benefits of being in the presence of our beloved pets. And here at The Cedars, we are honored to be a training community for local therapy dogs. On any given day, we have from one to five furry friends engaging with our residents and offering not only their unconditional love, but also their profound and medically proven healing effects. Residents in nursing communities who have regular visits from pets are more receptive to medical treatment and nourishment. It is also well established that touch is very important for our minds and spirits. For most people, the touch of an animal is safe, non-threatening...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Latest News.
Happy birthday to us! Twenty-one years today – on August 11, 1991 to be exact –we moved into our beautiful new campus on Portland’s Ocean Avenue. Kathryn Callnan, now president and CEO of The Cedars, was then the director of nursing and orchestrated the move. “We had 62 volunteers, just on the nursing side that day,” remembers Kathy. “One volunteer for each resident.” The volunteers stayed with them all day from the time they left the Jewish Home for Aged on Munjoy Hill until they settled into the new facility, which was then called Cedars Nursing Care Center. Other volunteers, including a group from the Cedars Auxiliary, helped welcome the residents to their new home, served meals, and made the whole operation go smoothly. Staffer Nancy Bloch and volunteer David Cohen assisting a resident with the move. ...
Posted in our blog on by Angie& filed under Latest News.
Culture Change Ask any one, undergoing a culture change in any organization is a hefty task. But, moving away from the old institutional model of long term care to a more person-centered approach is a tremendous journey, one that is a profound philosophical change. Today there is a big movement underway in healthcare to shift patient and resident experiences. In order to promote improved quality of care, more and more nursing care facilities are embracing the philosophy and values of culture change. The old institutional model of long term care is being replaced by a person directed or person centered model of care. This culture places the resident and their family at the heart of the organization. The underlying values support individuality, consistent staff, self determination, dignity and homelike atmosphere. At The Cedars we are doing just that! We are placing emphasis on developing positive relationships with our residents...
