The Cedars CNA Awarded Excellence in Care

Posted by Katharine

Misty Seeley Excellence in LTC The Cedars

Melissa Jensen, Skilled Care Nurse Manager; Misty Seeley, CNA; Maine First Lady Ann LePage; Angie Hunt, COO at The Cedars

On September 18, the Ombudsman Program held its 13th Annual Excellence in Long-Term Care Awards event at the Blaine House in Augusta. Sixteen of Maine’s direct care workers were honored with the Excellence in Long-Term Care Award – including The Cedars very own Misty Seeley, CNA.

Maine’s First Lady, Mrs. Ann LePage participated in this special event presenting awards to the workers. Each recipient was chosen by an independent panel because of their demonstrated extraordinary leadership among their peers, dedication to resident rights and a commitment to providing excellent care. The Ombudsman Program recognized that every day Maine’s elderly and disabled citizens rely upon the skills and caring of the workers who provide essential care to them in long-term care facilities, like the Skilled Care Center at The Cedars. Congratulations Misty!

Exercise of the Month: Chair Stands

Posted by Katharine

The Cedars Wellness Coordinator, Sarah Martin, recommends Chair Stands to strengthen your abdomen and thighs. And when you exercise remember:

  • Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program
  • Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, and proper shoes that offer safety and support
  • Drink water before, during and after exercise
  • Make sure you stretch after you exercise

In a seated position with good posture and feet flat on the floor, cross your arms  over your chest or hold a ball with both hands at chest level. Keeping your weight
on your heels, stand up, using your hands as little as possible or not at all. As you
bend slightly forward to stand up, keep your back and shoulders straight. Take at
least 3 seconds to sit back down. Repeat 8 to 15 times or as many as you can
comfortably do with good form. Rest. Do another set of 8 repetitions.

Modification: If you are more advanced, try doing squats. Beginning in a
standing position with back facing the seat of a chair, slowly bend the knees to
lower down toward the seat of the chair. Stick out the buttocks so that your knees
do not jut beyond your toes. Just before your buttocks gets to the seat of the chair,
stand back up to the starting position in a fluid motion, squeezing your buttocks
and putting all the weight in your heels as you push back up.
(Thanks to the National Institute on Aging, Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging)

For more information on Wellness at The Atrium at The Cedars, call us today at 207-221-7100.

Senior Health: Exercise and Wellness at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

Water AerobicsThe Cedars’ Wellness Coordinator, Sarah Bartell, offers our seniors a variety of exercise classes and educational programs on wellness and health. More of our community member are seeing the benefits and fun in participating, at whatever level they want – and Sarah is now offering more opportunities to join in. Here are a few notes from Sarah on the benefits of exercise classes:

Why Join an Exercise Class?

  • Accountability
  • Social interaction
  • Learn new exercises
  • Energy in numbers
  • Well rounded workout
  • Learn the correct form

Not to mention the benefits of exercise – just to name a few: Improve strength, bone density, flexibility, stability = stay healthier longer, fewer falls, and more. Try a class that interests you! Here are some of the programs that we offer at The Atrium:

  • Tai Chi Classes
  • Integrative Yoga
  • Aquacize in the Pool
  • Walking Group
  • Strength Training
  • Bend, Balance and Bone
  • Train Your Brain with Cardio Workout
  • Zumba Gold
  • Personal Training Sessions

For more information on living at The Atrium, contact our Marketing Representative at 207-221-7100

Exercise and Senior Wellness at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

The Cedars has been focused on Wellness for years, offering a variety of programs for both our residents and staff towards better physical, spiritual and mental health. A recent article in the Portland Press Herald highlights a recent study from the Wake Forest School of Medicine that physical exercise just may improve out mental health.

Laura Baker, cognitive neurologist reports, “Regular aerobic exercise could be a fountain of youth for the brain.” Several studies have shown that exercise not only helps our physical bodies but can improve cognition in healthy older adults quite possibly lowering their risk of dementia.

At The Cedars, Wellness Coordinator Sarah Martin puts this to work every day through strength training, walking programs, water aerobics, and a variety of other wellness classes for our residents at The Atrium and The Osher Inn. Baseline assessments are completed with all who are interested, and exercise programs are designed for each person, with follow up re-assessments every 12 weeks. The members love the classes, and are truly challenged – and they particularly enjoy the health tips they receive throughout each class. For more information on Wellness at The Cedars, contact us today.

White House Conference on Aging Today

Posted by Katharine

logo-WHCOA2015Tune into the WHCoA live broadcast today from 10AM to 5PM to find out about important issues involving seniors in our nation. Topics covered include caregiving, financial security, healthy aging, intergenerational connections and more. President Barack Obama will deliver his remarks at 11:15 AM.

The Cedars’ CEO and President, Kathy Callnan received the invitation from U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree’s office to join the regional Boston forum of the WHCoA in May to offer her expertise on vital topics that are increasingly effecting our aging population. “As the number of older American’s is growing, and with Maine being the oldest state, policy makers, service providers and the medical community need to come together to address key issues such as healthy aging, access to long term care services, and aging with dignity,” Callnan shared.

The Cedars is no stranger to advocacy. With a frequent presence in Augusta, and participation in various Washington D.C. forums, The Cedars’ CFO, John Watson, was a 2014 gubernatorial appointee for the Long Term Care Facilities Studies Commission that created key nursing home legislation.  Watson was later awarded a special Advocacy Award for his contributions from Leading Age, Maine and New Hampshire.

The White House has held a Conference on Aging each decade since the 1960s to identify and advance actions to improve the quality of life of older Americans. This year, our nation marks the 50th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act, as well as the 80th anniversary of Social Security. The 2015 White House Conference on Aging is an opportunity to recognize the importance of these key programs as well as to look ahead to the next decade.

Summer at The Atrium

Posted by Katharine

summer at the atrium
Jazz Duo: Michael Beling, Piano and Bill Street, Saxophone
July 27 at 7PM
A Night of Jazz with Sally Davis
August 12 at 7PM
RSVP and Bring a Friend 221-7100

 

Senior Wellness at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

Water AerobicsThe Cedars has maintained a strong commitment to wellness for years through programs for our members, residents and staff alike. And now we are thrilled to announce a new position at The Cedars which ramps up our focus on wellness even further, through enhanced programming for our seniors. The Cedars recently welcomed  Sarah Bartell, Community Wellness Coordinator, to our community.

Sarah’s role will serve as a complement to our current Life Enrichment offerings at The Atrium independent living, and The Osher Inn Assisted Living. Currently, our Life Enrichment calendar includes strength and resistance training, yoga, water aerobics, tai chi, walking groups, and Zumba gold. With the addition of this new position, our residents will experience a twofold change.

First, they will find a greater variety of fitness classes and educational sessions on nutrition and wellness. And secondly, they’ll have the option to participate in routine fitness assessments to determine their baseline strength and wellness, as well as gains along the way. Sarah will work individually with each senior to establish their personal wellness goals and monitor their progress. Although this program is completely optional – we’re finding a great deal of enthusiasm coming from our residents.

Sarah BartellSarah received her B.S. in Exercise Science from St. Joseph’s University and has worked in personal training, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and as a health mentor. Stay tuned further updates on Wellness at The Cedars. Contact us today for more information on wellness at The Cedars.

 

Retirement Living Today: Event at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

Myths and Realities
Tuesday June 9, 2015
Join The Atrium staff and members as we think about retirement living,
share stories and trade insights.
FMI contact Angie D’Amours, Marketing Representative at
207-221-7100 today.

The Cedars at The White House Conference on Aging

Posted by Katharine

logo-WHCOA2015Kathy Callnan, President and CEO at The Cedars, joined other leaders in long term care at the May 28 Regional Forum in Boston Massachusetts. At the fourth and final regional forum leading up to the Conference in Washington, DC in July, gathered together are seniors, caregivers, advocates and community leaders to discuss the issues facing older Americans. Check out the video of the morning’s presentations, which was followed by four breakout sessions: Elder Justice, Retirement Security, Long Term Services and Support, and Healthy Aging.

The 2015 White House Conference on Aging will highlight the contributions of older adults today and help inform the landscape of aging policy for the future. The Boston Regional Forum is an important part of this dialogue.

The Boston Regional Forum is an opportunity to hear directly from you on key issues such as ensuring retirement security, promoting healthy aging, providing long-term services and supports, and protecting older Americans from financial exploitation, abuse and neglect.

Working in collaboration with the AARP and the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, a coalition of more than 70 of the nation’s leading organizations serving older Americans, we want to ensure that your voice is part of our work.