The Cedars wishes everyone a sparkling Fourth of July
filled with pride, honor and fun!
CNA Plus Graduation at The Cedars
On June 25, The Cedars graduated another class of certified nursing assistants from The Cedars CNA Plus. For the past year, The Cedars has been partnering with Southern Maine Community College and the Root Cellar to provide opportunities for bright, compassionate people to start a career in healthcare while addressing the growing need for caregivers, particularly for our aging population.
Angie Hunt, Chief Operating Officer and Susan Dionne-Jones, Director of Nursing, congratulated our graduates and gave a heart-felt thanks to Nancy Rodick, RN Instructor for her guidance and expertise over the past several months of class and clinicals. CNA Plus not only provides nursing assistant instruction but also teaches additional skills that are becoming more valuable in the healthcare setting.
Special guest speaker, Brenda Beaulieu, Business Relations Manager at SMCC expressed how proud she is of our graduates as they each worked a job, many managing a family, while going to school. A great level of commitment and a first step into a new and exciting future. For more information on the CNA Plus program at The Cedars, contact us today at 221-7150.
Opening Minds through Art at The Cedars
What can an art therapy program for seniors with dementia teach all of us?
All the participants in this Opening Minds through Art (OMA) class sing “You Are My Sunshine” as sunlight pours across worktables and paint is poured into palettes. Before the studio work begins, Pamela Moulton, artist in residence, sparks curiosity and delight with a performance art piece.
“I want to wake us all up,” Pamela explains, showing off her vibrant hat and whimsical apron. “Intergenerational play infuses all my art. We all crave that joy.”
It’s true. Smiles are everywhere as the artists, who are residents of The Cedars with dementia, confer with their personal facilitators, undergraduate students from the University of New England (UNE). While the seniors learn today’s art technique, the students learn about therapeutic work with seniors. And as the works progress, students express sincere admiration and help each artist choose a title for their painting. Abstract art has become a language they can share—and a lifeline.
“We teach abstract art because it doesn’t try to replicate objects in recognizable ways,” adds Nick Viti, Director of Life Enrichment. “It expresses them in fundamental ways, like colors and shapes. There’s no frustration or failure here.”
Family members and loved ones are welcome to observe or participate in the class. “They’ve seen their loved one struggle so much,” Nick says. “Families are moved to tears as they watch their loved one succeed.”
When Angela Hunt, Chief Operating Officer, first heard about an intergenerational art program from Scripps Gerontology Center in Ohio, she knew it was a perfect fit for The Cedars. The Cedars Auxiliary agreed, and raised funds to develop Maine’s first OMA program. “The Auxiliary made it possible,” Angela says. “Staff need certification, and we needed a working artist to teach, and artist grade supplies for all the projects.”
Angela tapped Nick to direct OMA, and he saw its potential immediately. “OMA gives residents with dementia a means of self-expression, lots of choices and a fun change in routine,” he says. “These are core elements of all of our programs.”
In other OMA programs, volunteers assist the residents. The Cedars decided to take it further. “We made it a college course,” Angela says. “We wanted to inspire the next generation to work in the field of gerontology.”
Partnering with Elders: Health and Creativity, piloted by graduate students at the University of Southern Maine under the stewardship of faculty member Tammy Bickmore, was a smash hit with everyone involved. Angie turned to long-time collaborator Joe Wolfberg, MS-OMOC, a faculty member at UNE Westbrook College of Health Professions, for help creating a credit course.
Joe has worked with seniors, students and The Cedars for over 30 years, and he is a passionate believer in nurturing creativity and connections. “Everybody is a teacher,” Joe declares. “We all have so much to give each other at every stage of our lives. As students listen to these elder teachers, they learn how to honor aging in all its forms.”
“We’re really breaking down barriers here,” Nick agrees. “We’re introducing young students to seniors with dementia and showing them how much they have to offer, and how we can best support them.”
So what can we all learn from OMA?
Live in the Moment … Dementia patients, with so much of their experience lost to them, encounter everything as new and must live fully in the moment. As great artists have shown us, the ability to see the world differently can offer deep insight. The art created in OMA reveals that seniors with memory loss retain a valuable, and powerful, perspective on our world.
… and Make the Most of the Moment “I’ve taught many art classes,” Pamela says as she gathers up the supplies. “This is special. I always leave this class feeling so alive.” And as everyone sings the closing song, “This Little Light of Mine,” everyone can feel it—the lightness and brightness of all of us, all together, shining.
For more information on OMA and other innovative programs at The Cedars, contact Nick Viti at 207-221-7000.
The Benefits of Community Retirement
High School
Thinking about a move to a retirement community? Although this transition can seem overwhelming at first, people who have made the move report that it was one of the best decisions they have ever made for themselves. They are able to enjoy a rich social life, . And their reasons are as much practical as they are personal.
Most people are either moving from the home that they’ve lived in for years or from a residence to which they’ve already downsized. Some move from out of the area to be closer to their adult children while others have lived in Maine for much of their lives. In either case, the benefits of living in a retirement community are many and include a rich social life, worry-free living, and freedom from the hassles of home repair and maintenance.
Freedom from Managing a Home. No more worries about maintaining a home, managing the upkeep, or even changing a light bulb. Many retirement communities have staff that takes care of snow removal and property maintenance, both inside and out. Housekeepers clean your apartment weekly, provide seasonal intensive cleaning, and at The Atrium we offer weekly flat linen service. If anything arises – like a light bulb that’s gone out – simply call the front desk for staff assistance.
Access to Dining, Exercise, Cultural Events and More. Many communities provide extensive in-house options as well as excursions to local happenings. You will find yourself enjoying meals with new friends and choosing from exercise classes, swimming in the pool, attending lectures or concerts, playing bridge, or relaxing in your apartment. Throughout the week, most communities arrange for excursions. At The Cedars we go to area restaurants, plays, the symphony, museum exhibits, or a senior college class. Outings that were once a special treat become part of your everyday life.
Transportation. Scheduled rides to doctor’s appointments, your accountant, the grocery store, or the library help keep you independent. Many communities offer opportunities to schedule these personal trips in addition to the community excursions on their events calendar. At The Cedars, residents schedule their own trips throughout the week. Even those residents who drive their own cars enjoy this personal service, especially in the winter months.
Peace of Mind that comes from knowing that staff is right there, in the event they are needed. And should additional personal support be necessary on either a short or long term basis, many communities like The Cedars offer home health support services as well as a continuum of senior living options on their campus, such as assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing services.
All of these conveniences and amenities lead to a lightness of spirit in knowing that your many of your needs will be met and that visits from friends and family will be just that – time to enjoy lunch in the café, a walk around the grounds, or a swim in the pool with those you love. You can enjoy life and get back to living.
Symposium at The Cedars
A Silver Lining for an Aging State:
Bold Solutions to Boost Maine’s Economy
Wednesday May 30, 8-10AM
A panel of national leaders will examine the critical issues facing Maine as our population rapidly ages and workforce steadily declines.
RSVP 207-221-7005
Community Education: Liliane Willens at The Cedars
The Cedars was honored to recently host Dr. Liliane Willens as she presented to a packed house, sharing her riveting story of growing up in China during World War II under the pressures of foreign invaders and civil war as recounted in her most recent book, Stateless in Shanghai. Lily spoke energetically for more than an hour about her experiences living in Shanghai, often injecting humor among the political and social details of this tumultuous time.
Scholar, memoirist and humanitarian, Dr. Willens has conducted hundreds of lectures and interviews across the United States, Europe, Asia and into Africa. She has presented at Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stonehill College, the University of Maine, the Library of Congress, and to the Joint Harvard/MIT Washington Clubs.
Born of Russian parentage in the former French Concession of Shanghai China, Liliane and her family experienced World War II under the Japanese military occupation and after the war, the Chinese civil war between the Nationalists and the communists. While waiting for her immigration visa, Liliane lived two years under the newly established People’s Republic of China.
Upon immigrating to the Unites States, Liliane studied French and 18th Century French Literature at Boston University and taught at Boston College as well as Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later moving to Washington, DC, she worked for the US Agency for International Development and the Peace Corps.
The Jews of Shanghai was part of The Cedars Community Education Series. For more information about our community, contact us at 207-221-7100.
The Cedars at the First Friday Art Walk May 4
Community Art Exhibit with Opening Minds through Art
Friday May 4 from 5-7PM
Oak Street Galleries and Side x Side
636 Congress Street, Portland ME
Meet our residents, staff and see their amazing art work!
Angie Hunt Receives Excellence in Leadership Award
Angie Hunt, Chief Operating Officer at The Cedars, was honored by Leading Age Maine and New Hampshire for her Excellence in Leadership.
Angie has earned the respect and loyalty of everyone she works with through leading by example and working side-by-side with therapists, nurses, housekeeping, activities staff and anyone else who needs a hand. Community leaders, legislators and trustees immediately recognize Angie’s enthusiasm for any opportunity to improve quality care and to advocate for seniors.
Exceptional Leadership and Effectiveness
“Angie is self-motivated, a tireless worker – always putting the best interest of the patients first.” – Susan Dionne-Jones, Director of Nursing at The Cedars
“Angie ‘lives’ The Cedars’ mission every day and in doing so, always puts the needs of our residents above all else. She continually meets any and all challenges that are presented to her. And Angie’s concerns go beyond The Cedars to the entire caregiving community. She has lobbied for all long term care facilities in Maine by advocating for State legislation … and she been a successful leader of The Cedars’ efforts to collaborate and integrate with ACO’s in Maine.”
– Richard Borts, Board Chair at The Cedars
Angie can’t see a need in the senior community and not look for a way to meet it – even if that means creating and launching a brand-new program and now she leads the organization through culture change and into the Household model of care.
Extraordinary Workplace Environment
“Angie always connects with staff and makes us feel heard and understood. Whenever she sees me, she wants to know how I’m doing and asks about my son.”
– A. McDonald, CNA at The Cedars
Angie has the loyalty and admiration of every employee at The Cedars. She not only empowers the direct care staff through her bottom-up style of management, but she is there when they need a hand, doing what they do every day: answering call bells, working weekends, administering physical therapy evaluations and treatments, completing paperwork for new admissions, and more.
More importantly, Angie believes in the value and contributions of her direct care workforce and their relationships with their residents. She has driven Culture Change into all aspects of the organization through the development of Neighborhoods and the innovative staffing and programming that makes The Cedars home to so many. Angie realizes that partnering with her staff and involving them from the ground up leads to better outcomes and creative solutions for our residents.
Advocacy
“Your CEO is incredibly lucky to have you.”
– Senator Anne Haskell (to Angie Hunt) at the State House
“Angie has been the voice for non-profits when no one else would step forward.”
– J. Watson, CFO at The Cedars
Angie has been a key non-profit face for Maine, frequently presenting to legislators and coalitions at the State House. Angie’s down-to-earth, genuine presentation of real issues about real people has proven to be highly effective.
Angie recently addressed LD154, a document aimed at creating flexibility in the regulations to allow senior housing residents access to in-house personal support and nursing care. Angie testified for 40 minutes, in a give and take manner, to a panel of legislators, eager to learn about the issues providers face. She was able to convince DHHS to make exceptions not only for The Cedars, but for all Maine providers providing independent and assisted living.
Collaboration with Other Organizations
“When we reached out to Angie, her response and enthusiasm were better than expected – she was gung-ho to partner with Mercy and the Beacon ACO.”
– Dr. David Polisner, MD, Mercy Hospitalist Service
“Angie Hunt truly loves her work. She is thoughtful, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and caring in all that she does at The Cedars … always eager to share new ideas and projects she is working on with the goal of providing the best care possible for the residents of Cedars. She is such a good leader to have in long-term care in Maine.”
– Brenda Gallant, RN, Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman
During this time of change in health care and policy, Angie assures that The Cedars is always at the table in collaboration with community organizations. She has been instrumental in planning various initiatives and an active participant in the following:
- Maine Health
- Bundled Payment
- Shared Savings
- Mercy Hospital
- Beacon ACO
- Maine Partnership to Improve Dementia Care
- with the Maine Ombudsman Office
- Emergency Preparedness
- with Cumberland County’s Emergency Preparedness team
- University of New England
- created a unique course for healthcare professionals at The Cedars
The Cedars Volunteer Awarded by Leading Age
On April 11, Jennifer Butcher, long time volunteer at The Cedars received the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Leading Age Maine/New Hampshire Standing Ovation Award ceremony. Here is what they shared about Jenn.
Jennifer first came to The Cedars to visit her grandmother, an Assisted Living resident. It was easy to see that she felt comfortable with and easily related to our residents. Since 2009 and long after her grandmother’s passing, Jennifer has logged over 3/500 hours of service. She has faithfully made the on-hour commute to The Cedars at least two full days each week, and often returns for a third day to support staff vacations.
With her natural ability to tune into the needs of others, combined with her understanding of dementia, Jennifer uses humor and warmth to relate to residents. Jennifer is a natural leader, responding to needs as they arise. Form comforting residents to assisting staff and offering her ideas, she is a treasured friend to all and an outstanding asset to The Cedars community. Congratulations, Jennifer!
Internationally Recognized Author Coming to The Cedars
Join us for an event with internationally recognized scholar, memoirist and humanitarian, Dr. Liliane Willens who will share her riveting story of growing up in China during World War II under the pressures of foreign invaders and civil war as recounted in her most recent book, Stateless in Shanghai.
Wednesday April 25, 2018 from 5:30 – 7:30PM
Reception, presentation and book signing. There is no charge to attend.
RSVP to Holly Nicholson at 207-221-7005 or hnicholson@thecedarsportland.org
