Bates College students have started a music program for residents of The Cedars over the three-month spring semester. The students will develop and implement enriching and engaging musical programs each week that inspire our residents to explore their musical artistic capabilities and form social connectedness within their communities. Students will share their passion for music while providing residents the opportunity to actively participate, make choices, and express their musical artistic capabilities through educational classes, presentations, creative composition, and interactive performances. The first goal of this program is to provide student musicians the opportunity to bring their musical artistry to older adults, practice their music in a unique real-world setting and cultivate reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships with older adults. The second goal is to provide older adults an intergenerational experience by providing opportunities for older adults to share their artistic capabilities, wisdom, creative insight and life experiences. Each program...
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...
Integrating technology into the lives of seniors is a top trend in senior living communities. Why? From social media to helpful gadgets, recent advances in technology can help them stay active, stay safe, and stay in touch with loved ones. Here are seniors and technology tips that can help an older adult in your life take advantage of today’s tech. Tech literacy for seniors has never been a more important priority as shutdowns, lockdowns, and social distancing protocols continue to keep us all us spending more time in our homes. From grandparents on Facebook to helpful gadgets for the elderly, today’s technological advances can help older adults stay connected with family and friends, strengthen fitness and cognition, access information and services, and age in place safely for longer periods of time. If there is a loved one in your life who has resisted using computers or mobile devices, using...
Sitting down for a delicious meal is something we all look forward to, both to nourish our bodies as well as to gather with friends and families. At The Osher Inn Assisted Living, our residents look forward to joining in our dining room that is elegant yet intimate and feels just like home in our small community of 30 apartments. For lunch or dinner, we often have family members join their loved ones to catch up on busy lives. Breakfast time is an opportunity for our residents to plan their days and visit with friends over a lingering cup of coffee. Our Dining Director, John Roy, prides himself on planning his menus around seasonality and variety. “Living in Maine gives us access to the best seafood, produce, and meats,” he explains. “And we don’t want even our most popular dishes to feel repetitive. In every way, we try to...
When Nancy Meyer arrives at the Osher Inn at The Cedars Retirement Community, she unpacks watercolor paints, brushes and paper. Eager hands await the materials, ready to get to work adding color and personal flair to the watercolor paper. Teaching and facilitating watercolor painting with seniors has had a great effect on Meyer, a New York native who now calls Baldwin home. “It’s so rewarding,” said Meyer. And the Osher residents love it, her many loyal attendants wouldn’t miss her class. Nancy focuses on nature in her watercolor sessions, bringing pieces of the natural world inside especially for those who are unable to go out-of-doors. It may be apple blossoms, flowers or pumpkins. These special still-life subjects are sure to bring smiles, said Meyer. “I learn from them,” she said, of her students. Some smile, paint and have a great time. Others are slowed down by the details. Others...
BOB NEEDED A PLUS ONE. His daughter, Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO of The Cedars, wanted him to join a family birthday celebration in Old Orchard Beach. He’d only been living at The Osher Inn for one month, but he knew exactly who he wanted to bring. “I’d noticed Lauretta in the dining room,” he explains, eyes twinkling. “This was my big chance.” “And we’ve been together ever since!” Lauretta says. Talking with Bob Callnan and Lauretta Torraca, they feel as though they’ve been together for years, not less than six months. Both widowed, they had each raised large families with loving partners before life brought them to The Osher Inn. When they found each other, they knew right away what a precious thing they had. “We just melded our lives together,” Lauretta beams. “At this stage of our lives, we get to do what we want. There’s so...
What do you do when you hear about someone in need? At The Osher Inn, assisted living at The Cedars, a group of more than six residents dusted off their knitting needles and joined forces to help. A few months ago, a few residents at The Osher Inn heard of a man receiving services from VNA Hospice – who just couldn’t stay warm. They didn’t miss a beat and gathered their friends at The Osher Inn to create a blanket as a donation to hospice. “It took around three months, with more than six of us working on it”, the group explained. None of the knitters had picked up needles in years, but they jumped back in willingly. “Fingers change over the years,” one knitter explained, “the needles are slippery and they didn’t used to be!” Another resident, who owned a yarn store in Portland for many years, says that using...
During the past decade, assisted living communities have offered exercise, social, creative and educational opportunities. In recent years, senior care has been trending toward broader and deeper approaches to wellness. You’ll want to look for this higher standard as you visit assisted living communities for yourself or your loved one. The best assisted living communities have embraced a wellness philosophy that infuses the entire organization. What are the Six Dimensions of Wellness? It is commonly accepted that six dimensions of wellness need to be present in order to age successfully. There are tangible signs that the community you’re considering has a successful wellness philosophy when these six commonly known factors are holistically integrated into all quality programming for senior life. Seen together, these dimensions optimize and improve a person’s state of health. Physical — Centers on exercising the body to promote strength and flexibility. Advocates healthy lifestyle habits, encourages...
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,...
As we celebrate National Assisted Living Week at The Cedars with an active calendar of resident and family gatherings and events, it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the positive effects that The Osher Inn assisted living has had on the community and those we serve since opening just three years ago. Assisted Living is the perfect option for seniors needing assistance with one or more of their activities of daily living (ADL’s) such as bathing, dressing and grooming. In addition, most assisted livings provide help with medication management, assuring that the medications are in-house and are being administered to the residents at the right time. Staff is on site 24 hours per day providing personal support with ADL’s and medications. A registered nurse works with the residents’ physicians to assure their medical needs are being met. Seniors enjoy three meals per day at assisted livings in a social...
Bates College students have started a music program for residents of The Cedars over the three-month spring semester. The students will develop and implement enriching and engaging musical programs each week that inspire our residents to explore their musical artistic capabilities and form social connectedness within their communities. Students will share their passion for music while providing residents the opportunity to actively participate, make choices, and express their musical artistic capabilities through educational classes, presentations, creative composition, and interactive performances. The first goal of this program is to provide student musicians the opportunity to bring their musical artistry to older adults, practice their music in a unique real-world setting and cultivate reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships with older adults. The second goal is to provide older adults an intergenerational experience by providing opportunities for older adults to share their artistic capabilities, wisdom, creative insight and life experiences. Each program...
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...
Integrating technology into the lives of seniors is a top trend in senior living communities. Why? From social media to helpful gadgets, recent advances in technology can help them stay active, stay safe, and stay in touch with loved ones. Here are seniors and technology tips that can help an older adult in your life take advantage of today’s tech. Tech literacy for seniors has never been a more important priority as shutdowns, lockdowns, and social distancing protocols continue to keep us all us spending more time in our homes. From grandparents on Facebook to helpful gadgets for the elderly, today’s technological advances can help older adults stay connected with family and friends, strengthen fitness and cognition, access information and services, and age in place safely for longer periods of time. If there is a loved one in your life who has resisted using computers or mobile devices, using...
Sitting down for a delicious meal is something we all look forward to, both to nourish our bodies as well as to gather with friends and families. At The Osher Inn Assisted Living, our residents look forward to joining in our dining room that is elegant yet intimate and feels just like home in our small community of 30 apartments. For lunch or dinner, we often have family members join their loved ones to catch up on busy lives. Breakfast time is an opportunity for our residents to plan their days and visit with friends over a lingering cup of coffee. Our Dining Director, John Roy, prides himself on planning his menus around seasonality and variety. “Living in Maine gives us access to the best seafood, produce, and meats,” he explains. “And we don’t want even our most popular dishes to feel repetitive. In every way, we try to...
When Nancy Meyer arrives at the Osher Inn at The Cedars Retirement Community, she unpacks watercolor paints, brushes and paper. Eager hands await the materials, ready to get to work adding color and personal flair to the watercolor paper. Teaching and facilitating watercolor painting with seniors has had a great effect on Meyer, a New York native who now calls Baldwin home. “It’s so rewarding,” said Meyer. And the Osher residents love it, her many loyal attendants wouldn’t miss her class. Nancy focuses on nature in her watercolor sessions, bringing pieces of the natural world inside especially for those who are unable to go out-of-doors. It may be apple blossoms, flowers or pumpkins. These special still-life subjects are sure to bring smiles, said Meyer. “I learn from them,” she said, of her students. Some smile, paint and have a great time. Others are slowed down by the details. Others...
BOB NEEDED A PLUS ONE. His daughter, Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO of The Cedars, wanted him to join a family birthday celebration in Old Orchard Beach. He’d only been living at The Osher Inn for one month, but he knew exactly who he wanted to bring. “I’d noticed Lauretta in the dining room,” he explains, eyes twinkling. “This was my big chance.” “And we’ve been together ever since!” Lauretta says. Talking with Bob Callnan and Lauretta Torraca, they feel as though they’ve been together for years, not less than six months. Both widowed, they had each raised large families with loving partners before life brought them to The Osher Inn. When they found each other, they knew right away what a precious thing they had. “We just melded our lives together,” Lauretta beams. “At this stage of our lives, we get to do what we want. There’s so...
What do you do when you hear about someone in need? At The Osher Inn, assisted living at The Cedars, a group of more than six residents dusted off their knitting needles and joined forces to help. A few months ago, a few residents at The Osher Inn heard of a man receiving services from VNA Hospice – who just couldn’t stay warm. They didn’t miss a beat and gathered their friends at The Osher Inn to create a blanket as a donation to hospice. “It took around three months, with more than six of us working on it”, the group explained. None of the knitters had picked up needles in years, but they jumped back in willingly. “Fingers change over the years,” one knitter explained, “the needles are slippery and they didn’t used to be!” Another resident, who owned a yarn store in Portland for many years, says that using...
During the past decade, assisted living communities have offered exercise, social, creative and educational opportunities. In recent years, senior care has been trending toward broader and deeper approaches to wellness. You’ll want to look for this higher standard as you visit assisted living communities for yourself or your loved one. The best assisted living communities have embraced a wellness philosophy that infuses the entire organization. What are the Six Dimensions of Wellness? It is commonly accepted that six dimensions of wellness need to be present in order to age successfully. There are tangible signs that the community you’re considering has a successful wellness philosophy when these six commonly known factors are holistically integrated into all quality programming for senior life. Seen together, these dimensions optimize and improve a person’s state of health. Physical — Centers on exercising the body to promote strength and flexibility. Advocates healthy lifestyle habits, encourages...
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,...
As we celebrate National Assisted Living Week at The Cedars with an active calendar of resident and family gatherings and events, it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the positive effects that The Osher Inn assisted living has had on the community and those we serve since opening just three years ago. Assisted Living is the perfect option for seniors needing assistance with one or more of their activities of daily living (ADL’s) such as bathing, dressing and grooming. In addition, most assisted livings provide help with medication management, assuring that the medications are in-house and are being administered to the residents at the right time. Staff is on site 24 hours per day providing personal support with ADL’s and medications. A registered nurse works with the residents’ physicians to assure their medical needs are being met. Seniors enjoy three meals per day at assisted livings in a social...