The residents at The Atrium are having a Thanksgiving Food Drive for families in need from the Ocean Avenue Elementary School in Portland. Staff, residents, families and friends are encouraged to donate non-perishables, such as: stuffing, canned veggies, cranberry sauce, mashed potato mix, quick bread mix, gravy mix. Bring your items to The Atrium by Wednesday November 14.
“Ask The Nurse is a program at The Atrium, independent living at The Cedars that gives our residents the chance to touch base with Nancy Kuliga, RN and ask health questions, get their blood pressure checked, or help them decide if they need to contact their physician. In addition to this twice-weekly clinic, Nancy also oversees the Home Health Services at The Cedars that provides support for our residents. Nancy enjoys getting to know so many of the residents and always looks forward to this part of her week. Here is her advice on how to stay healthy this flu season:
1. Get the flu vaccine! The best time to get the vaccine is from October through November but it is still useful to get one even if it’s later in the flu season.
2. Wash or sanitize hands thoroughly and often. Frequently washing hands with regular soap is an effective way to get rid of cold and flu germs.
3. Exercise regularly. Moderate exercise boosts the immune system and could reduce risk of cold by a third.
4. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
5. Clean the environment to eliminate germs.
6. Sanitize your mobile devices.
7. Stay away from people who are sick.
8. Avoid crowds and unnecessary travel.
9. Drink plenty of liquids! Drinking plenty of liquids, especially plain water or hot tea, helps the nasal passages stay moist and trap germs.
10. Get added Vitamin C and protein through nutritious foods! Some studies have shown that a little extra Vitamin C (but not too much) can reduce the risk of getting sick.
The Cedars community sends their sympathies to the families and loved ones of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. A public vigil for peace, hope and memory will be held at Temple Bet Ha’am in South Portland, hosted by the Jewish Community Alliance, on Tuesday October 30 at 5:30PM.
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.
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
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.
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.
The Cedars wishes you a sweet new year, filled with good health, peace, prosperity and happiness, today and always.
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:
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.
620 - 650 Ocean Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103
207.221.7000
info@thecedarsportland.org
NONPROFIT SINCE 1929