Join us for a session on COPD Awareness
Wednesday November 14 at 2PM at the Hoffman Center
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease effects 16 million Americans
This workshop will answer questions on how to cope with COPD, provide diet tips and treatment options.
Event at The Atrium Independent Living
Treasures and Antiques with Daniel Buck Soules
Auctioneer and appraiser, Daniel Buck has valued items for the Smithsonian and made numerous appearances on Antiques Roadshow.
Tuesday October 16 at The Atrium.
FMI and to RSVP call 207-221-7100
Groundbreaking for the Sam L. Cohen Households
On Friday September 21, Senator Susan Collins shared remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony and climbed aboard an excavator to deliver the first dig for the Sam L. Cohen Households at The Cedars.
A Bold Change to Transform Senior Care
The Cedars is building the Sam L. Cohen Households for skilled nursing care and introducing a new, vitally needed memory care assisted living, as well as renovating our current neighborhoods in households.
The Household Model of Senior Living
The visionary and person-centered Household Model is earning praise across the country and fast becoming the best practice as an enlightened approach to senior care. The Household Model features a home environment where residents have choices, including when to wake up, what to eat, and how to spend each day, just like we do at home. It’s a model we believe will not only meet and exceed the expectations of our senior population but will also be a shining example to our entire industry and will shape the way forward for the improvement of senior healthcare across the nation.
Senator Collins as Advocate for Aging
As a long-standing advocate for seniors and healthcare, Senator Collins is the chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease where she has worked to increase funding for Alzheimer’s research and to strengthen support for family caregivers. In fact, the Senator shared that her BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act is making headway in Congress and will help establish centers of excellence in public health practices in Alzheimer’s Disease.
No stranger to The Cedars, Senator Collins has met over the past few years with John Watson, Chief Financial Officer at The Cedars, to discuss specific long-term care legislation, and most recently to review Medicaid funding considerations critical to Maine’s poor elderly in advance of the historic health care vote.
For more information on how The Cedars is transforming senior care, go to www.growboldcedars.org.
Appreciating the Art of Music at The Atrium
Every Thursday at 1:30, something transformational happens. Members of The Atrium independent living at The Cedars, gather to listen and experience a sound journey with a well versed musical host. Larry Merson, member since 2017, has been collecting vinyl records since he was able to purchase them. Growing up in New York City, he’s a devoted fan of the Metropolitan Opera and regales stories of going as a teenager when there was only standing room available, marveling at the great performers of his time. In addition He’s spent 50 years singing in a classical music choir and attributes much of his interest to his parents and favorite classical influences: Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach, along with several 20th century composers such as Poulenc and Debussy.
In addition to classical pieces, he offers some traditional Broadway plays and an occasional opera and operetta. “Die Fledermaus” a beloved operetta lasting 2.5 hours long is sometimes offered for those guests that wish to extend their musical stay and embark on a melodic, fun and at times capricious roller coaster of overtones.
During their visit, the listeners find themselves in the stillness of the music, where life begins to slow down and the present moment is invited in. A delightful mixture of new and old classics offers something for everyone and Larry is always open to requests and at times even makes digital copies for his guests seeking more enjoyment. A strategic arrangement of seating allows for excellent acoustics, where the sound is sure to pulsate into your heart.
For more information on retirement living at The Atrium, contact our Marketing Representative at 207-221-7100.
L’Shanah Tovah
The Cedars wishes you a sweet new year, filled with good health, peace, prosperity and happiness, today and always.
Employee Wellness Fair 2018
On Thursday August 9, The Cedars celebrated its employees with the ninth annual Wellness Fair! Several vendors, including some of our volunteers arrived ready to inspire, educate and engage our staff with healthy lifestyle tips and wellness offerings.
The focus included healthy eating demonstrations from our kitchen staff with fresh Gazpacho and other tasty treats. A variety of practitioners were present, sharing their knowledge and treatments in reiki, acupuncture, thermal image screening, and essential oils. In addition our employee benefit representatives were also available to provide information and resources tailored to individual needs.
Several of our staff members were the recipients of wonderful prizes, including a Fitbit, baskets created with healthy snacks, spa items and gift cards to both Hannaford and Target!
The Cedars is dedicated to creating a culture designed around wellness and would like to give special thanks to all its employees, vendors and participants that helped to make the 2018 fair a huge success! Many thanks to our participants, including:
- Acadia Benefits
- Principal Financial Group
- 211 Maine
- Guardian Dental
- Tracy Dubois with DoTERRA Essential Oils
- Hannaford
- Carrie Bernard, Acupuncturist
- Melissa Rose Redman and Tammy Riley, Reiki Practitioners
- The Cedars Dieticians and Executive Chef
- Thermal Imaging of Maine
- Fagan Center of Audiology
- Aetna Insurance
John Watson of The Cedars Receives National Award for Advocacy
The Cedars is proud to announce that John Watson, Chief Financial Officer at The Cedars, has been elected to receive the Outstanding Advocacy Award from LeadingAge, a national association representing 6,000 non-profit aging-services organizations throughout the United States.
The award honors John Watson as a tireless advocate at the State level for educating legislators, executive branch officials, and fellow nursing facility administrators regarding Maine’s current system of reimbursing nursing homes. Through his governor-appointed position on the Commission to Study Long Term Care, John worked with State Representatives to introduce a bill for a more equitable allocation system for care provided in nursing homes. In doing so, John was integral in reforming Maine Medicaid’s system of nursing home reimbursement and thereby assuring continued access to care for Maine’s oldest and frailest.
Wellness Fair
Wellness Fair at The Cedars
Thursday August 9 from 10AM to 2PM
This is a great chance for our staff and residents to get wellness tips and helpful information. Raffles and prizes!
Volunteers: at the Heart of The Cedars
Looking back over the years, it’s clear that The Cedars would not be the thriving community it is today had it not been for our volunteers raising nickels and uniting a strong passion for “change” to support our residents.
Today that spirit is fully ignited and contagious as ever, with a diverse variety of volunteers sharing their talents and giving back in unique ways that offer immeasurable returns. Our volunteers continue to be the cornerstone of the compassionate care that we strive for, offering creative approaches that enhance lifestyle choices and honor individuality.
It has been said that the heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but instead by the depth of commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. In being of service to others, there’s a sense of strong connection to those around us and in turn we can become inspired by the experience of giving back. Throughout our community there is a perpetual flow of giving, from our seamstress volunteer Meagan, mending items for our residents each week and creating community quilts for everyone to enjoy, to our spa volunteers Katie and Carol, offering gentle hand massages, conversation and companionship as our residents relax and enjoy the ambiance of the spa. Lending a hand with Bridge, there’s volunteer David with his quick wit and humor. Our community is strengthened by the thread of diversity that is volunteerism.
As we continue to passionately forge ahead with exciting new projects on our campus and within our community we extend gratitude to the volunteers that have come before us, the ones that continue to walk beside us. Each and every single person has helped us build the legacy that we have become today, a true testament that our volunteers are truly the heart of who we are and deeply comprised of our past present and future.
With the summer upon us and more travel in the future for our residents, we have openings for Activity and Outing Assistants, Come and accompany our residents to lunch or for a scenic ride to a favorite ice cream spot!
If you have a talent you’d like to share with our residents or for more information on our volunteer program, please contact: Janine Fifield, Manager of Volunteer Services. jfifield@thecedarsportland.org 2017-221-7036 or visit our website at www.thecedarsportland.org
The Cedars Celebrates Our Staff
On July 19, The Cedars will hold a summer BBQ for our employees and give special recognition to those who have served between 5 and 35 years. Thank you, Staff at The Cedars, for all of your hard work, commitment and caring!