Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
Does playing cards or studying a foreign language help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease? A recent study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen found that these kinds of activities support the “use it or lose it” theory in that they lead to greater brain volume as seen on neurological imaging tests. Although the study did not reveal that brain games prevent Alzheimer’s Disease altogether, it did show they lead to better learning, memory and information processing. The best evidence suggests that a healthy lifestyle of exercise, a balanced diet and not smoking, combined with activities such as going to museums, doing puzzles and reading books can reduce the risk of dementia. At The Cedars community, we approach overall wellness from various perspectives, depending upon the individual’s needs and abilities. At The Atrium independent living, and The Osher Inn assisted living, we provide multiple opportunities to...
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...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
Winter often seems like the season for colds and the flu. But we can all successfully navigate the season with little more than an occasional sniffle. Here are some tips from The Cedars wellness team for staying healthy this holiday season, and throughout the winter months: EAT WELL AND INCLUDE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. The vitamins and minerals found in many of the fruits and vegetables help your immune system fight the ‘bugs’ that are so common this time of year TAKE TIME TO REST. Don’t let all the winter activities and family events keep you from getting the sleep your body needs. WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY. This is something we have told our kids for generations, but it’s also true for adults. If we wash our hands after sneezing or after we come home from shopping or before we eat, we remove many of the germs that cause problems....
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
It really takes the fog out of the brain … just great mental exercise.” —HENRY GAGNON “STAY SHARP,” Henry Gagnon encourages everyone, and laughter and applause ripple through the room as someone solves another crossword clue. Henry and his friends at The Atrium are working together to solve a Never2Late puzzle after a brisk walk in the September sunshine, and the combination of physical and mental exercise is doing exactly that: sharpening their thinking. It’s a brand-new program at The Atrium called Train Your Brain, and it is already a big hit with members. “The Cedars is committed to a holistic approach to wellness, Lifestyle Coordinator Janine Fifield explains. “Making sure we are caring for our members’ bodies, minds and spirits. Train Your Brain strengthens hearts and minds, lifts moods … it’s fun.” “Medical research shows that cardiovascular exercise like walking or running improves our mental fitness, too,” Angela...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
The Wellness Program at The Cedars retirement community received an award from Harvard Pilgrim for our commitment to health and wellness, community-wide. As a result, The Cedars staff has benefitted from ongoing education and programming through a wellness grant. Recently, Heidi Roth, Registered Dietician, paid us a visit to discuss plant-based eating. Heidi began by clarifying the differences between the ‘vegan’ and ‘vegetarian’ diets. “It’s not about giving up meat, it’s simply about infusing our diets with more fruits and vegetables.” Several studies tout the health advantages resulting from more plant-based eating, which include decreased risk for stroke, heart attacks, and certain forms of cancer, as well as being able to do away with medications for diabetes and high blood pressure. “Take one step at a time,” Heidi continued. “Gently incorporate more leafy greens and vegetables into your meals – they’ll slowly substitute the meats.” Nutrient dense foods that are...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
In recognition of National Bone and Joint Awareness month, The Cedars is focusing on osetoporosis and how to improve your ‘bone health’. 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 in their lifetime. 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. It is important to remember that you are never too old to do something to improve your bone health. Osteoporosis is debilitating, reduces freedom of movement, and can cause a high incidence of hip and spinal fractures. Prevention of the condition and patient education is key to reducing the problems associated with osteoporosis. The goal is...
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...
Does playing cards or studying a foreign language help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease? A recent study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen found that these kinds of activities support the “use it or lose it” theory in that they lead to greater brain volume as seen on neurological imaging tests. Although the study did not reveal that brain games prevent Alzheimer’s Disease altogether, it did show they lead to better learning, memory and information processing. The best evidence suggests that a healthy lifestyle of exercise, a balanced diet and not smoking, combined with activities such as going to museums, doing puzzles and reading books can reduce the risk of dementia. At The Cedars community, we approach overall wellness from various perspectives, depending upon the individual’s needs and abilities. At The Atrium independent living, and The Osher Inn assisted living, we provide multiple opportunities to...
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...
Winter often seems like the season for colds and the flu. But we can all successfully navigate the season with little more than an occasional sniffle. Here are some tips from The Cedars wellness team for staying healthy this holiday season, and throughout the winter months: EAT WELL AND INCLUDE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. The vitamins and minerals found in many of the fruits and vegetables help your immune system fight the ‘bugs’ that are so common this time of year TAKE TIME TO REST. Don’t let all the winter activities and family events keep you from getting the sleep your body needs. WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY. This is something we have told our kids for generations, but it’s also true for adults. If we wash our hands after sneezing or after we come home from shopping or before we eat, we remove many of the germs that cause problems....
The Wellness Program at The Cedars retirement community received an award from Harvard Pilgrim for our commitment to health and wellness, community-wide. As a result, The Cedars staff has benefitted from ongoing education and programming through a wellness grant. Recently, Heidi Roth, Registered Dietician, paid us a visit to discuss plant-based eating. Heidi began by clarifying the differences between the ‘vegan’ and ‘vegetarian’ diets. “It’s not about giving up meat, it’s simply about infusing our diets with more fruits and vegetables.” Several studies tout the health advantages resulting from more plant-based eating, which include decreased risk for stroke, heart attacks, and certain forms of cancer, as well as being able to do away with medications for diabetes and high blood pressure. “Take one step at a time,” Heidi continued. “Gently incorporate more leafy greens and vegetables into your meals – they’ll slowly substitute the meats.” Nutrient dense foods that are...
In recognition of National Bone and Joint Awareness month, The Cedars is focusing on osetoporosis and how to improve your ‘bone health’. 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 in their lifetime. 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. It is important to remember that you are never too old to do something to improve your bone health. Osteoporosis is debilitating, reduces freedom of movement, and can cause a high incidence of hip and spinal fractures. Prevention of the condition and patient education is key to reducing the problems associated with osteoporosis. The goal is...
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...