Wednesday September 28, Leading Age Maine and New Hampshire is featuring a teleconference on The Cedars’ Opening Minds through Art program. Nick Viti, OTR/L, Director of Life Enrichment will present a program overview and it’s benefits. FMI here.
Senior Living Options
Thursday September 22, enjoy lunch and
learn about retirement lifestyle options and get your
questions answered at this engaging presentation
Space is Limited – RSVP to 207-221-7100
Creating a Climate of Learning at The Cedars
The Steering Committee at The Cedars gathered for the first step in a two year journey towards Culture Change and the implementation of the Household Model in our long term care and assisted living. Megan Hannon, culture change specialist with our partner, Action Pact, led the committee of 15 staff, management, volunteers from all departments – an additional 10 individuals will rotate through future sessions. Here is a recap of what we learned:
- We heard about how adults learn, how we need time to talk with each other, to communicate safely, to process and apply new ideas, and to process more.
- We discovered that through this learning, we will grow our skills AND our attitudes.
- We explored the Team Leadership Model, and practiced the new roles in this shared leadership approach.
- We found that each member of the group has a role in leading – we are all group leaders.
We delved into Culture Change and the essential elements of the Household Model, through –
- the 3 R’s of Culture Change – Renewal of Spirit, Renovation into Home, Reframing the Organization
- the importance of Storytelling and Daily Pleasures
- the significance of Homelessness, as it applies to our residents in a traditional long term care setting
After our learning sessions, we talked and shared – our thoughts, feelings, fears and hopes. Each one was honored and embraced, all in this safe, open forum of discussion.By the end of the day, we could feel the growth within our group, clarity in our purpose, and a sense of the renewal of spirit for the transformational journey ahead.
The Steering Committee will meet again with Action Pact in late September. Stay tuned for further updates.
Grow bold with us.
Employee Wellness Fair
Thursday August 11, 9-3PM
The Cedars celebrates our employees with wellness activities to improve their health and well-being. Our staff can visit our booths, and enter to win a Fitbit and other raffle items!
The Cedars Volunteer Receives Award
High school senior, Michael Michaelson, has been volunteering at The Cedars since he was a freshman at Waynflete. His grandmother used to drive him in to teach our residents how to use their ipads and computers. “When I first interviewed him to volunteer, he was delightful, but I never thought someone starting out so young would volunteer for so long,” shares Janine Fifield, Volunteer Services Coordinator. “And I never imagined he’d make such huge contributions to our community!”
Janine submitted Michael’s name and story to the President’s Volunteer Service Award and was thrilled to find that he was chosen. Over the years, Michael has helped countless residents at The Atrium and The Osher Inn with their simple and not so simple computer challenges. The residents have come to rely on his expertise and gentle approaches. While showing up every week, Michael has also volunteered with Equality Maine, managed three campaigns for city candidates, and kept his grades in good enough shape to be going onto Yale in the fall. Many thanks and best wishes to you, Michael. The residents at The Cedars are very proud of you!
The Cedars Chef Enters James Beard Competition
The Cedars’ Chef Paige Sunday has created a delectable burger for the James Beard Foundation’s Blended Burger Project, by blending ground meat with finely chopped mushrooms to introduce a delicious, nutritious, and sustainable burger.
Cast your vote here for The Cedars!
Nursing Assistant Skills Fair
Certified Nursing Assistants Skills Fair
Thursday June 9 from 8AM-3PM
The Hoffman Center at The Cedars
Join us for an opportunity to brush up on your skills,
have some fun and learn about our community.
FMI call 221-7000
Benefits of Tango: Research at The Cedars
The Atrium, independent living at The Cedars, has partnered with Maine Medical Center in a research program under the direction of Dr. Christina Holt, MD called TANGO-Gold: Therapeutic Activity Negates Gait Obstacles: Older Adults Opportunity Learning Dance.
TANGO-Gold is a program that uses the Argentinian Tango’s smooth movement, gentle connection and musicality to strengthen for better balance and fitness. Studies have shown dancing tango is good for balance, coordination, feelings of well-being, and connection and many communities have found that the learners want to keep dancing into their nineties. The purpose of the study is to show that tango dance lessons help improve physical and well-being and coordination function in older adults.
At The Atrium, experienced dancers and teachers, Emma Holder and Laura Balladur, gave weekly class for our members earlier this spring. Emma and Laura have been teaching together for years, and have developed a great style of bringing out the grace, and enjoyment for all their students. They presented the information at a fun and safe pace, and covered the basic concepts of Argentine Tango, an improvised dance. Class topics included musicality, pivots, turns, cruzada, leading and following, footwork, and codes. The class also introduced three styles of dance: tango, vals, and milonga.
The members were asked to complete a short survey at beginning of their tango dance lesson course and at the end. In addition, they each completed a baseline fitness assessment at the start and again at the end. Members enjoyed the classes and several appreciated benefits to strengthening their ‘core’ and balance. The Atrium, with our concentration on wellness and fitness, was thrilled at the opportunity to work with Dr. Holt and to participate in this study. Interested in learning more about life at The Atrium? Contact us today.
Community Art Exhibit: First Friday Art Walk
Building Bridges: Overcoming Cognitive Barriers with Art
Friday June 3, 2016 from 5-8PM
CTN5 Gallery
516 Congress Street, Portland
FMI Nick Viti, Manager of Life Enrichment 221-7100
Volunteering at The Cedars
Angie Hunt, Chief Operating Officer; Lynda Mullen, Volunteer; Janine Fifield, Volunteer Coordinator; Sharon Leddy-Smart, Life Enrichment; Nick Viti, OTR/L Life Enrichment.
Every year, The Cedars has the honor of choosing one volunteer to represent our community as the Volunteer of the Year. With so many volunteers dedicating precious time, compassion and friendship to enrich the lives of our residents and staff – this can be a difficult task!
At our recent volunteer recognition dinner, we were pleased to celebrate Lynda Mullen as the Volunteer of the Year, 2016. In 2011, Lynda joined our volunteer team following the loss of her beloved mother. Janine Fifield, Volunteer Coordinator, welcomed Lynda with open arms as she witnessed the loyalty, care, love and compassion that Lynda had shown her mother as a resident at The Cedars.
Lynda brought her beautiful brindle grey hound, Gabby to greet our residents, as she offered comfort and support by way of her gentle manner. Lynda quickly became involved in other aspects of The Cedars including the fall festival, the weekly rosary and communion services, transporting residents, accompanying staff and residents on outings, and providing special baked items and goodies.
When the day came what sweet Gabby passed away, our hearts filled with sadness as this sweet grey hound had made such an impact on so many lives. We quickly came to welcome many other dogs, when Lynda teamed up with the Westbrook Animal Refuge League and started bringing canines into our community that were up for adoption.
Since the inception of this alliance, almost every dog who has stepped foot into The Cedars has found a forever home upon returning to the shelter: that’s 21 dogs! We attribute this success to the magic that The Cedars brings into so many lives, even our four legged friends. It’s that special energy that Lynda continues to foster, and that willingness to extend her heart wherever it’s needed, and that passion to cultivate new growth and programs within our community. Lynda has been a leader in volunteerism, sharing her many talents and it’s our honor to recognize her as the 2016 Volunteer of the Year.
The Cedars welcomes volunteers of all ages and interests – if you’re interested in joining our community, please contact Janine at jfifield@thecedarsportland.org.